23. The expert from EC, secretary of the IWG on QRTV, informed GRB about the outcome of the last meeting of QRTV held in Washington, D.C. from 16 to 18 July 2013. He also announced that the next meetings of his group were scheduled on 5-6 September in Geneva, from 8 to 10 October in Washington, D.C. and on 7 December 2013 in Tokyo. He stated that a concrete proposal of UN GTR was in progress and was keeping to the agreed time schedule. He added that among the most relevant issues to be discussed in the next meetings were the mandatory or optional activation of the audible vehicle alerting system (AVAS) when the vehicle is stationary and beginning motion. The expert from the Netherlands reiterated his concerns that the installation of such devices would shift the responsibility of the driver to vulnerable road users (such as visually impaired people) and suggested the mandatory installation of advanced emergency breaking system (AEBS) instead of AVAS. The expert from WBU, stated that his organization supports any technology that improves pedestrian safety. However, he added that AEBS would not eliminate the need for the AVAS. He further explained that if an approaching vehicle was coming from a certain distance (i.e. fifty or sixty feet) when the blind person steps onto the road, the AEBS might be effective. However, he argued that if the distance of the vehicle was closer (i.e. ten or fifteen feet), AEBS could cause potential harm to the passengers and endanger a following vehicle by its unexpected breaking action. Finally, he said that on the same basis there was evidence of the need for vehicle sound while it is stationary because of the ability of the electric and hybrid electric vehicles to start moving abruptly. At the request of GRB Chair and of the expert from EC, the experts from the Contracting Parties to the 1958 and 1998 Agreements expressed their views on the mandatory activation of AVAS in stationary and commencing moving of the vehicle. GRB noted that further discussion was needed to clearly indicate the way forward on this subject and encouraged experts to participate in the next meetings of QRTV.

24. The expert from IMMA expressed concerns on the possible inclusion of powered two wheelers (PTWs) in the scope of the UN GTR. He added that the specifications in the UN GTR were solely based on analyses applicable for four-wheeled vehicles. He suggested that the inclusion of PTWs should be considered on the basis of relevant data and analysis, taking into account the specifics and use of PTWs.

25. GRB recalled the recommendation of the Administrative Committee for the coordination of Work (AC.2) at the November 2012 session (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1102, para. 12), that GRB would find a proper balance for noise limit values and minimum sound levels for QRTV equipped with AVAS. Therefore, the expert from France made a presentation (GRB-58-16), addressing this concern. He suggested fixing the purpose of the UN GTR development by avoiding excessive noise and preventing conflict with the future 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 51. GRB agree to resume discussion at its January 2014 session on the basis of the outcome of the IWG on QRTV.