120. The representative of the United States, Chair of the IWG on Quiet Road Transport Vehicles (QRTV), reported on the progress made by the group. He informed AC.3 that the third meeting of the group had been held at the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) offices in Brussels on 16-18 April 2013. He added that the American expert had presented a complete proposal that covered many of the key elements necessary for mitigating the risks to pedestrians that quiet EV and hybrid electric vehicles present. A key part of that proposal (Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)) was being contemplated by the United States for a minimum sound requirement. He added that the IWG had discussed several questions that car manufacturers had raised.

121. The representative of the United States added that the blind community had raised concerns on the perception of moving vehicles and had suggested solutions to allow precautionary measures to protect themselves. He added that industry had argued that it was not possible to determine the influence of background noise during a test run and those heavy vehicles and motorcycles might be excluded by the scope of the QRTV IWG. He finally announced that the next meeting would take place at the US Department of Transportation (DOT), NHTSA Head Quarter in Washington, D.C. on 16-18 July 2013.