World Forum for the Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations | Session 186 | 7-11 Mar 2022
Geneva
Agenda Item 2.3.
Intelligent Transport Systems and coordination of automated vehicles related activities

22. The secretariat recalled the purpose of WP.29-186-08 drafted by the IWG on FRAV and WP.29-186-09 drafted by the IWG on Validation Methods for Automated Driving (VMAD), that were mandated under the framework document on automated vehicles (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2019/34/Rev.2 as amended by ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2021/151). The Chair of GRVA detailed the content of the two documents and their purpose. He explained that both documents were guidelines that would be suitable for the contracting parties of the 1998 and 1958 Agreements.

23. The representative of the European Commission stated his full support for these informal documents and added that the contained concepts were also taken into consideration for developing the European Union legislation for ADS.

24. The representative of the United States of America clarified that WP.29-186-08 was not mature enough and recommended not to issue it as an official document for the next session.

25. The representative of OICA stated the importance of the work done by GRVA and its informal working groups under the framework document. He welcomed the progress done on the drafting of guidelines for ADS safety. He explained that OICA would welcome proposals from Contracting Parties for ADS regulations based on the guidelines prepared by GRVA.

26. The representative of OICA advised to initiate a review of the UN Regulations and UN GTRs with regards to their fitness for ADS, including driverless systems, as these regulations might refer to drivers.

27. The Chair of GRVA explained that AC.2 discussed the need to review the UN Regulations and UN GTRs and was in the process of setting a coordinated approach.

28. The representative of the European Commission fully recognized the need to review the Vehicle Regulations, which were linked to drivers, to accommodate for automated/autonomous driving.

29. The representative of the United States of America advised that this task could require a phased approach, one phase being the identification of UN Regulations and UN GTRs of relevance and a second phase being the evaluation of the provisions and test requirements that might be linked to drivers.

30. WP.29 requested all GRs to perform a screening of the UN Regulations and UN GTRs of relevance until March 2023 and agreed to resume consideration of a coordinated approach for reporting to AC.2 and WP.29.

31. The representative of the United Kingdom, Co-chair of the IWG on Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), reported on the activities performed under this group, namely the three webinars organized by the Secretariat and co-hosted by the 3 Co-Chairs of the IWG on ITS. He highlighted a high number of participants at the webinars and explained that the three webinars addressed actions of the revised UNECE roadmap on ITS adopted in February 2021 by ITC. He also congratulated the secretariat for the successful side event organized during the Inland Transport Committee seventy-fifth anniversary celebration. He recalled that WP.29 and the secretariat were involved in the organization of session 1 of the annual, International Telecommunication Union / UNECE symposium on the Future Networked Car scheduled for 22 March 2022.

32. The Secretary provided details about the side event, the exhibition during the ITC week and the video prepared by an ITC sponsor on automated and connected vehicles as well as E-mobility.

Documentation
WP.29-186-08 ADS: Proposal for Guidelines and Recommendations concerning Safety Requirements
WP.29-186-09 ADS: Proposal for a second iteration of the New Assessment/Test Method for Automated Driving - Master Document
WP.29/2019/34/Rev.2 Revised Framework document on automated/autonomous vehicles (China, EU, Japan, and USA)