How to handle brake overheating on heavy-duty trucks during downhill descents?

When driving on mountain roads or long downhill stretches, the biggest fear isn't the vehicle being slow, but rather heating up the brakes by riding them without realizing it. In the past, I would have new drivers look at the slope length, vehicle weight, and exit position first, rather than waiting until they see the slope to start thinking. Before a heavy vehicle goes downhill, shift to a gear…