25. The representative of the United Kingdom, Chair of GRVA, introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2019/2. He proposed to delay the adoption of this document until the review of WP.29-177-19, which was under preparation at that time.

26. The representative of the European Union introduced WP.29-177-04 focusing on the priorities of work on vehicle automation, allocating the work to the relevant working groups and proposing deadlines and deliverables.

27. The representative of the United States of America introduced WP.29-177-08 referring to the work priorities on vehicle automation in ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2019/2 and proposing principles relevant for the performance assessment of automated vehicles.

28. The representative of CLEPA introduced WP.29-177-13, stressing the need to complete the Automated Lane Keeping Systems (ALKS) activities of IWG on Automatically Commanded Steering Function, as one working package.

29. The Co-Chair of the IWG on ITS introduced draft Terms of Reference (ToR) proposed in WP.29-177-14, acknowledging that there would be need for further improvement.

30. The representatives of Finland and ITU supported the document. The representatives of Germany and of the United States of America raised questions on the content of the draft proposal.

31. The Chair stated the need to preserve the activities of IWG on ITS.

32. WP.29 reflected on the possibility to have the IWG on ITS as a platform for exchange with other Working Parties under ITC, other United Nations organizations such as ITU, standardization organizations and other stakeholders active in ITS.

33. WP.29 requested the Co-Chairs of IWG on ITS to submit a revised version of ToR to its June 2019 session.

34. The representative of the Technical University of Budapest, Hungary, presented ZalaZONE Proving Ground facility, a test field for classic and automated vehicles, located in the city of Zalaegerszeg, Hungary. In his detailed presentation (WP.29-177-17) he introduced project development and operations, including its background, purpose, investment costs, location details, size of the testing ground and its modules, available facilities, the business and operational model, phases of construction and operation, cooperating countries, industrial and academic partners, and the expected results. He emphasized that the testing ground was the first of its kind to incorporate roads in three countries (Austria, Hungary and Slovenia), and to allow cross border testing of automated vehicles.

35. WP.29 expressed its appreciation to the representative of the Technical University of Budapest for this information.

36. The representative of OICA introduced WP.29-177-20 on the views of OICA on certifying automated / autonomous vehicles and on the “Multi-pillar Approach for the Certification of Automated Vehicles”. He emphasised the importance for the industry that the contracting parties would harmonize performance requirements for automated vehicles. He also introduced WP.29-177-20/Add.1 with a consolidated table on the items in guidelines issued by contracting parties. He called for an exchange with the contracting parties on these items.

37. The representative from Japan stated that Japan as well as other contracting parties were willing to exchange views with OICA, including on WP.29-177-20/Add.1.

38. The representative of the United States of America welcomed the proposals and input from the industry (represented by AAPC, CLEPA and OICA).

39. The secretariat recalled the series of meetings between December 2018 and March 2019 that led to the preparation of WP.29-177-19 and presented the informal document following which the World Forum had a wide-ranging discussion.

40. The representatives from AAPC, CLEPA, Sweden, and the United States of America offered their views and questions on how the existing ongoing activities were to be included in the document. The representative of the United Kingdom, who had assisted in preparing the document explained that it was aimed at setting the strategic vision for WP.29 in this framework document rather than to intervene in how GRVA would structure its work plan. For this reason, it did not provide much details on these aspects. The representative of the European Union clarified that the said ongoing activities would be addressed as a part of the identified priorities included in the table contained in the document.

41. The representatives of Australia, China, European Union and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland welcomed the document.

42. The representative of Japan thanked all involved delegates for their efforts to prepare a framework document for automated/autonomous vehicles based on the contributions from the European Union and the United States of America, including the prioritized topics and working management, as the framework document was vital to coordinate the activities and solve concerns of stakeholders.

43. He also mentioned that Japan would support this direction and emphasized the importance of further discussions based on informal document WP.29-177-19, which was submitted for discussion at this session of WP.29.

44. He stated that the special session of GRVA in June 2019, before the next session of WP.29, would be a good opportunity to discuss ToRs based on the document as well as the draft regulations on cyber security and software update. He also expressed the willingness of Japan to contribute to discussions for the establishment of those items.

45. He recalled the internal discussions, at political level, about the external Human Machine Interface (HMI) related to automated/autonomous vehicles, specified in the formal document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2019/2. He underlined the importance of the function, informing the surrounding of the vehicle when it is driven in an automated mode above Level 3, to ensure safety of traffic participants around.

46. The World Forum agreed the general approach outlined in WP.29-177-19 and directed GRVA to use the issues, topics and deliverables from the document as guidance to inform its further discussions on structuring its work and delivery plans. WP.29-177-19 would be transformed into a formal document for the 178th session. The World Forum expected GRVA to report at the June 2019 session on its proposed structure, and ToRs of informal groups in this respect.

47. WP.29 noted the proposal of the GRVA Chair to use the special session of GRVA, that would take place on 3-4 June 2019², to address cyber security and software updates as envisaged (see para. 44) and to review proposals for ToRs for four informal working groups.

²Note by the Secretariat: Confirmation of room received on the last day of 177th session of WP.29.

48. WP.29 adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2019/2 with the following amendment:

Table 1 to read: