Working Party on General Safety | Session 103 | 2-5 Oct 2012
Geneva
Agenda Item 4.
Regulation No. 46 (Devices for indirect vision)

16. The expert from OICA presented ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2012/16 proposing the installation of a new generation of exterior and interior mirrors enclosed in a protective housing or holder. GRSG adopted the proposal, without amendments, and requested the secretariat to submit it to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration at their March 2013 sessions, as draft Supplement 2 to the 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 46.

17. The expert from the Netherlands introduced a proposal (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2011/23/Rev.1) to allow replacement of all mirrors with camera-monitor systems. The expert from Germany informed GRSG (GRSG-103-19) about the work progress made by the ISO Task Force on the standardization of camera-monitor systems (ISO 16505). He added that a final proposal by ISO could be expected by the end of 2013 (GRSG-103-27-Rev.1). GRSG had an exchange of views on the optional/mandatory installation of camera-monitor systems and the need to insert fail-safe provisions. GRSG noted that such new vehicle systems would not only improve vehicle safety, but also the environmental protection (i.e. reduction of vehicle emissions). At its next session, GRSG expected to receive only a progress report and agreed to keep ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2011/23/Rev.1 on the agenda as a reference document awaiting the conclusion of the ISO Task Force.

18. Referring to the adoption of the draft 04 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 46 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2012/87) at the previous session of GRSG, the expert from OICA proposed to clarify the transitional provisions (GRSG-103-30). The expert from Germany added clarifications to the table listed in paragraph 15.2.1.1.1. (GRSG-103-31). Following the discussion, GRSG adopted both proposals, as reproduced in GRSG-103-31-Rev.1, and requested the secretariat to submit the document to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration at their November 2012 sessions, together with ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2012/87, as draft 04 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 46 (see WP.29-158-08).

26. The expert from Japan introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2013/5 and its Corr.1 proposing to increase the safety benefits of the driver’s field of vision and the pedestrian safety in narrow streets. The expert from OICA requested details on the formula used for the range of a blind area. The expert from Japan presented their concept of obstacles aiming at improving the driver’s vision of pedestrian or other vulnerable road user approaching the vehicle (GRSG-104-45). He also presented the results of a study on this subject (GRSG-104-46). GRSG welcomed the initiative by Japan and noted a number of comments. The experts from EC, France and Germany raised a study reservation on the proposed amendments.

27. GRSG agreed to resume consideration on this subject at its next session in October 2013 on the basis of a revised document by Japan, if available, or to keep otherwise ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2013/5 on the agenda as a reference document.

28. Recalling the purpose of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2011/23/Rev.1 to allow replacement of all mirrors with camera-monitor systems (CMS), the experts from ISO and OICA reported on the progress (GRSG-104-30) made by the ISO Task Force on the standardization of camera-monitor systems (ISO 16505). GRSG noted that the ISO standard was expected to be published by mid 2014. GRSG had an exchange of views on a number of safety aspect of the new camera-monitor systems. The Chair welcomed the offer by Germany to share, at a further session of GRSG, more detailed research results on this subject. GRSG agreed to have, at the next session, a detailed consideration of all the safety aspects linked to CMS and to keep ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2011/23/Rev.1 on the agenda as a reference document awaiting the conclusion of the ISO Task Force.

29. The expert from OICA introduced GRSG-104-25 and GRSG-104-26 clarifying the transitional provisions of the 03 series and the 04 series of amendments, respectively, to UN Regulation No. 46. GRSG agreed to resume consideration of this subject at its next session and invited the secretariat to distribute GRSG-104-25 and GRSG-104-26 with an official symbol (in two different parts).