System and method for validating operation of secondary braking system of a vehicle

A method for validating operation of a secondary braking system (SBS) of a vehicle having a plurality of brakes, by controlling the SBS and a primary braking system (PBS) of the vehicle, the method comprising:

• using the PBS to generate a first predetermined target braking pressure in the PBS for at least a first one of the brakes;
• using the SBS to generate a second predetermined target braking pressure in the SBS for at least a second one of the brakes, while maintaining the first predetermined target braking pressure in the PBS, the second predetermined target braking pressure being higher than the first predetermined target braking pressure;
• observing an actual performance characteristic associated with a braking component of the vehicle;
• comparing the actual performance characteristic with an anticipated performance characteristic of the braking component;
• and
• when the actual performance characteristic is approximately equal to the anticipated performance characteristic, determining that the SBS is operating properly, and when the actual performance characteristic is not approximately equal to the anticipated performance characteristic, determining that the SBS is not operating properly.