47. The expert from the EC introduced GRSP-65-16, explaining the content of the amended General Safety Regulation of the European Union. The new requirements aimed to reduce or to eliminate accidents and injuries in road transport. Moreover, he added that in addition to the safety measures to protect vehicle occupants, the implementation of specific measures to prevent fatalities and injuries of vulnerable users, such as cyclists and pedestrians. As a follow-up, he introduced a new proposal of amendments to UN Regulations (see agenda items Nos. 14, 15 and 23).
48. The expert from the Republic of Korea introduced GRSP-65-22, explaining that his Government had been trying to reinforce safety regulations on school bus that would secure the traffic safety of children. He added that several regulations have been introduced into KMVSS, such as mandatory installation of stop sign, rear view camera and alarm system when driving in reverse, speed limiter and assistant stairs for getting on/off. He mentioned that last year the Government of Korea had improved the road traffic act so that operation of device in school bus would be mandated to check if all children had gotten off. He explained that the Korean vehicle safety regulations had also been amended to specify requirements on this device and that relevant requirements were added that apply to all kinds of school buses, such as an unloading child confirmation alert system. The additions referred to the requirements of Californian law in the United States of America.
49. The expert from Italy, introduced GRSP-64-26, explaining that Italian national law supported the obligatory use Unattended Child Reminder Systems by fiscal incentives and information campaigns.
50. Finally, GRSP agreed to establish a new agenda item on the subject of “Children left in cars” and resume discussion at its December 2019 session.
51. The expert from Korea introduced GRSP-65-23, explaining the Korean safety regulations on micromobility. He explained that the safety regulations were based on requirements of L7 category vehicle from regulation 168/2013 of the European Union and opinions from manufacturers. He added that this kind of vehicle should be considered as a new category of vehicles and not as a motorcycle category. He further explained four major categories in passive safety for this vehicle: (a) door latch and hinge, (b) strength of safety-belt anchorages, (c) seat anchorages and (d) test of electrical safety of high-voltage system through crash tests. He concluded that a test plan would cover in the future all the main collision configurations with the aim of introducing proper injury criterion for micromobility in KNCAP.
52. The expert from Germany introduced GRSP-65-35, providing information on impact attenuating devices to protect motorcyclists from guardrail posts. The expert from the Republic of Korea expressed a strong interest to develop more effective guard rails for all types of vehicles. The Chair of GRSP underlined that vehicle safety and road barriers shall be triggered to better improve road safety. The expert from Russian Federation fully supported the importance of safe guardrail design and suggested that WP.29 and the Global Forum for Road Traffic Safety (WP.1) should cooperate on this subject. He suggested that a UN Regulation should be developed on this subject. The expert from IMMA underlined the importance of motorcycle friendly infrastructure as part of a safe system design. He supported the proposal to start an exchange on this issue between the relevant fora. The expert from the United States of America informed GRSP that the Federal Highway Administration provides solutions and initiatives to promote safe guardrails: US Federal Highway Administration
Moreover, he also informed GRSP that the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials had developed a “Roadside Design Guide” and a “Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware”, available at:transportation.org.
53. Finally, GRSP agreed to report to the June 2019 session of WP.29 on this issue and receive guidance.