An autonomous electric cargo pod is undergoing safety tests on a guided track. During an emergency stop sequence, the onboard control system must detect an obstacle and activate the brakes to bring the pod to a halt.
Explain the factors that affect the 'reaction distance' (the distance travelled between detecting the obstacle and the brakes being fully applied) and the 'braking distance' of the pod.
Write down the equation that links distance, force, and work done.
In one emergency stop test, the work done by the braking system to stop the pod is 540 000 J540\,000\text{ J}540000 J. The average braking force applied by the pod's brakes is 15 000 N15\,000\text{ N}15000 N. Calculate the braking distance of the pod.
If the braking system applies an extremely large force, it results in rapid deceleration. Explain the potential hazards to the pod's stability, control, or cargo from such a violent deceleration.