Pidurdust

Pidurdust is the Estonian term for braking, the deliberate slowing or stopping of a vehicle, machine, or moving object. The noun derives from pidurdama, meaning to brake or slow down, with the abstract noun suffix -ust.

In everyday usage, pidurdust encompasses actions from gentle deceleration to full stop. In road traffic, important metrics include braking distance—the distance traveled from braking onset to a complete stop—and braking force, which depends on vehicle mass, tire-road friction, and brake system performance. Road and weather conditions substantially affect pidurdust, making safe stopping distance variable.

In vehicle technology, pidurdust is achieved through braking systems such as hydraulic or pneumatic brakes, and increasingly via electric or hybrid systems that may include regenerative braking. Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and electronic stability control assist in maintaining steerability during braking. In electric vehicles, regenerative braking recovers a portion of kinetic energy during deceleration.

In railway and aviation contexts, pidurdust refers to deceleration processes where braking systems must achieve reliable stopping performance under varying loads and speeds, using friction brakes, dynamic braking, or thrust reversers where applicable.

Standards and testing programs evaluate pidurdust performance, including deceleration profiles and stopping distances under prescribed conditions, to ensure safety and compliance with regulations.