Working Party on General Safety | Session 127 | 15-19 Apr
Geneva
Agenda Item 2. (a)
UN Regulation No. 107 (M2 and M3 vehicles)

3. GRSG noted two documents by the expert from Spain (GRSG-127-02 and GRSG-127-05-Rev.1), on behalf of IWG on Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion (BLEVE). She explained that IWG was working on reducing the occurrence of BLEVE for the specific case of vehicles transporting dangerous goods (GRSG-127-02). As a result of the IWG efforts, she introduced a first draft (GRSG-127-05-Rev.1) of new requirements and test methods into UN Regulation No. 105 or 107 for automatic fire suppression systems in the engine compartment of specific vehicles. She concluded that the possible adoption of the proposal into one of the two UN Regulations would allow the mandatory compliance of these requirements for specific vehicles under the Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR). The expert from Switzerland supported the proposal. A member of the secretary of the Working Party on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (WP.15) explained that fire suppression provisions were already part of annex 13 of UN Regulation No. 107, and that in the future, other categories of vehicles could have similar provisions. He suggested a new UN Regulation could also address this specific issue. The expert from OICA argued that UN Regulation No. 107 did was not suitable due to its scope while the provisions in UN Regulation No. 105 were different. Therefore he suggested that a new UN Regulation would be the most viable solution. The expert from Germany suggested that these provisions be entered into UN Regulation No. 105 or into both UN Regulations Nos. 105 and 107. The expert from Spain clarified that the proposal was based on provisions for internal combustion engines already in UN Regulation No. 107. She added that the purpose of the proposed systems installed on ADR vehicles was to avoid fire propagation to the cargo and therefore more suited to UN Regulation No. 105. As suggested by the Chair, GRSG agreed to establish a Task Force (TF) to further develop such provisions for UN Regulation No. 105 or for a new draft UN Regulation. The expert from Spain volunteered to coordinate and chair the new TF. Finally, GRSG agreed to refer GRSG-127-02 and GRSG-127-05-Rev.1 to TF for future developments.

4. The expert from Germany introduced GRSG-127-15 on behalf of the Chair of the IWG on Safer Transport of Children in Buses and Coaches (STCBC). He informed GRSG about the IWG progress in Phase 2. He clarified that IWG work would aim to prevent the ejection of children from their seats and would improve the vehicle retention systems already on the market. He added that after 2027, new bus designs would incorporate Child Restraint Systems (CRS). He added that the issues currently under discussion in IWG were: (a) the improvement of the current situation, (b) the possible use of a booster cushion type approved according to UN Regulation No. 44 and © that additional fixation were not to be used, except for CRS to avoid misuse. The expert from the United Kingdom asked for clarification on the type of seats in consideration (e.g. bench, unfolded plastic). The expert from Germany responded that the focus was limited to coaches in the scope of the UN Regulation until 2027.

5. The expert of Norway recalled the assessment study conducted by his country on the extent of bus collisions in Europe. He clarified that the research would be finalized by end of 2024 for presentation at the December 2024 session of the Working Party on Passive Safety (GRSP). GRSG agreed to resume discussion at its April 2025 session.

6. The expert from Germany, Chair of the Task Force on Bus and Coach Accessibility, introduced the TF progress report (GRSG-127-27). TF had met three times and at the meetings of June and September 2024, a final proposal would be drafted for the October 2024 session of GRSG. He added that the TF experts were governmental representatives from contracting parties, operators and manufacturers. He further noted that discussions during the meetings were on identifying possible problems in UN Regulation No. 107 and on finding solutions to make buses and coaches more accessible to people with reduced mobility.

7. Finally, GRSG agreed to continue the discussion on autonomous shuttle under agenda item 21 (see paragraph 48).

Documentation
GRSG-127-02 Engine fire extinguishing system for specific ADR vehicles (Spain)
GRSG-127-05/Rev.1 Engine fire extinguishing system for specific ADR vehicles (Spain)
GRSG-127-15 STCBC informal group status report to GRSG
GRSG-127-27 Accessibility under UN R107 task force status report to GRSG (Germany)