Braking performance can be expressed via a braked weight or via decelerations. This is scope o the UIC Leaflet 544-1 Brakes - Braking performance. The leaflet details the conversion of the braked weight to the braked weight percentage of a vehicle or train for operating purposes. Reference is also made to limiting features arising during operational application of the braked weight percentage of a train calculated from the vehicles' specified braked weight, for different train formations.

Braking performance is defined based on a number of standardised conditions (e.g. gradient) and a mean in-service vehicle condition. Brake assessment thus currently does not assume the worst possible vehicle condition, which may be the result of e.g. braking force tolerances, friction coefficient scatter, downgraded efficiency etc. It led to the conclusion to update UIC leaflet on Brakes and Braking performance.