5. The expert from Belgium recalled the discussion at the previous GRSG session on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2016/5 and presented a detailed analysis on the compatibility or incompatibility of the scopes and technical provisions for trolleybuses of UN Regulations Nos. 100 and 107 (GRSG-111-21). As an outcome of this analysis, she recommended to fully align the provisions of the UN Regulations concerned. She added that the removal of the safety prescriptions for trolleybuses from UN Regulation No. 107 and their presence in UN Regulation No. 100 on electric power trained vehicles would avoid a double type approval process. She announced her intention to also submit the outcome of the analysis to the experts of the Working Party on Passive Safety (GRSP). GRSG welcomed the important work done by the Belgium delegation.
6. The expert from France preferred to keep the provisions for trolleybuses in UN Regulation No. 107. He added that a double type approval was only necessary for hybrid vehicles and that the provisions for trolleybuses in UN Regulation No. 107 were still necessary for trolleybuses with conventional propulsion systems. The expert from Switzerland endorsed that position. The expert from the Russian Federation raised a study reservation. The expert from OICA underlined the need to align the provisions for trolleybuses in UN Regulations (e.g. ‘isolation’ to be replaced by ‘insulation’).
7. Referring to the discussion of WP.29 at its June 2016 session (report ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1123, para. 30), GRSG agreed to also involve the experts from the Working Party on Lighting and Light-Signalling (GRE) and GRSP at their forthcoming sessions. GRSG agreed to take a final decision on this subject at its next session in April 2017 awaiting the outcome of the discussion in GRE and GRSP. For that purpose, the secretariat was invited to keep GRSG-111-21 on the agenda as a reference document.
11. The expert from OICA presented GRSG-111-09 aligning the provisions of UN Regulation No. 107 with those of the European Union Regulation 1230/2012 on masses and dimensions in the definition of the ‘mass in running order’. The expert from France suggested also amending Annex 11. GRSG welcomed the proposal and agreed to resume consideration of this subject at its next session in April 2017 on the basis of a revised proposal to be submitted by OICA.
8. The expert from Germany proposed amendments to UN Regulation No. 107 to improve the accommodation and accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2016/20 and Corr.1) including new testing provisions to ensure visual contrast of some safety elements and the installation of loudspeakers. The expert from Japan introduced GRSG-111-28 on the efforts in his country to set up legal conditions for barrier-free public transport systems. He presented GRSG-111-36 which outlines the specifications for non-step buses. The expert from UITP welcomed all these efforts, but reminded GRSG of the necessity to avoid design restrictions and to limit such provisions only for certain vehicles of category M3. The expert from the United Kingdom endorsed the position. A number of experts were of the opinion that all aspects linked to the environment and health (such as hygienic conditions, colour specifications, visibility and contrast issues) should be regulated on a national/regional level. The expert from Belgium preferred to insert such provisions, if necessary, as only optional requirements.
9. GRSG noted the observations by IRU that the new amendments proposed by Germany might create an additional burden on road transport operators without increasing road safety (GRSG-111-16). The experts from CLCCR and OICA shared these concerns. The Chair invited all experts to send their written comments to the expert from Germany. GRSG agreed to resume consideration, at its next session in April 2017, of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2016/20 as reflected in GRSG-111-35 on the basis of a revised document to be submitted by Germany.
10. The expert from OICA introduced GRSG-111-08 which corrects the references of some paragraphs in the Regulation. GRSG adopted the amendments as reproduced below and requested the secretariat requested to submit it to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration at their March 2017 sessions, as draft Corrigenda to the 06 and 07 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 107.
Annex 3, paragraph 7.7.9.1., correct the reference to paragraph 7.6.11.4. to read 7.6.11.8.
Annex 8, paragraphs 3.7.3., 3.7.4. and 3.8.4.1.6., correct the references to paragraph 7.6.11.4. to read 7.6.11.8.