22. The Chair of GRVA introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2023/44/Rev.1, an updated version of the “New Assessment/Test Method for Automated Driving (NATM) Guidelines for Validating Automated Driving System (ADS)”.

23. The representative of Australia asked about the follow up of these activities. The GRVA Chair replied that the current activities were part of a pre-regulatory phase, and that the current activity was focused on combining the deliverables of the Informal Working Group (IWG) on Functional Requirements for Automated Vehicles (FRAV) and the IWG on Validation Methods for Automated Driving (VMAD). He stated that a schedule including next steps would be developed until the first half of 2024.

24. WP.29 adopted the document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2023/44/Rev.1.

25. The representative of France presented WP.29-190-23, introducing the report on screening UN Regulations and UN Global Technical Regulations (GTRs) regarding their fitness for Automated Driving Systems (ADS) (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2023/86), prepared by the Chair of GRVA TF on Fitness for ADS. He mentioned the recent technological advancements on automated driving and their potential impact on vehicle regulations. He recalled the mandate provided by WP.29 to review vehicles regulations on their fitness for ADS, the structure of the task forces in charge of performing this task, the timeframe allocated and the coordination mechanism involving the Chairs of the task forces. He presented the three objectives of the review:

1. the determination of the relevance of the vehicle regulations for ADS;
2. the readiness evaluation of the relevant vehicle regulations; and
3. the determination of the magnitude of changes needed for non-ready regulations.

He presented the overview of the review results. He highlighted the main recommendations in the report:

1. the need to develop vehicle subcategories for ADS;
2. the Operational Design Domain (ODD) impact on performance and testing provisions;
3. the need for a test mode for executing performance tests with automated vehicles; and
4. unknown policies related to the use of ADS including, among others, the transport of dangerous good and the expected ADS reaction to passengers unfastening their seatbelt.

He proposed that the established coordination of TFs would continue to provide coordination and invited GRs to start the work on amending the regulations.

26. The Chair of GRPE commented on the current review performed by the GRPE Task Force on Automated Vehicles Regulations Screening (AVRS) in delivering feedback because of the schedule of GRPE sessions and announced that this workstream would be completed soon.

27. The representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland welcomed the report and volunteered to support the production of amendment proposals to the vehicle regulations.

28. The Chair of GRVA noted the important effort made to deliver this report and stated that it was a good example of international cooperation among contracting parties and also among working parties. The representative of the Netherlands agreed.

29. The representative of the European Union noted the importance for this work both for type approval and self-certification regimes. He recalled the industry request for a certification system for ADS safety in 2025 and inquired about the envisaged deadlines for this important workstream, in particular in relation to the drafting of amendments.

30. The representative of the United States of America noted the completion of the initial phase envisaged for the review of vehicle regulations on their fitness for ADS. He noted paras. 44 and 45 of report and inquired on the envisaged structure of the second phase as proposed, considering the workplan of the IWG on FRAV.

31. The representative of OICA expressed the importance of progressing on three workstreams: the FRAV/VMAD combined deliverable, the vehicle regulation amendment work and the new vehicle subcategory definitions for ADS.

32. WP.29 adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2023/86. WP.29 agreed that the established coordination of TFs would continue to provide coordination and invited GRs to start the work on amending the regulations, taking into account the activities of the IWGs on VMAD and FRAV (especially WP.29-190-08, as potentially amended during next sessions). WP.29 also requested the GRs to present a timeline for amending the remaining relevant regulations at the WP.29 session in March 2024.

33. WP.29 agreed that GRSG and GRVA should coordinate the work on categories for automated vehicles and report on the status of work to AC.2 and WP.29 in November 2023.

34. The Chair of GRVA, informed WP.29 about the progress on the new UN Regulation on DCAS and stated that this was the bridging activity between ADAS and ADS. He invited Contracting Parties to foster engagement in the activity of the Task Force on ADAS to support the developments which were on the final stretch for the first phase. He announced that GRVA would organize a two days’ workshop to discuss the draft as well as on hands-off ADAS.

35. The Chair of GRVA presented WP.29-190-08, including the recent updates to the Guidelines for Regulatory Requirements and Verifiable Criteria for Automated Driving System Safety Validation. WP.29 endorsed this document.