91. The expert from Netherlands, Co-Chair of IWG on Event Data Recorder (EDR) / Data Storage Systems for Automated Driving (DSSAD) introduced GRSG-121-16 containing a status report of the activities of IWG. He reported on activities between January and April 2021, which included one session of the IWG on EDR/DSSAD and one session of the Sub-Group on EDR. He recalled that the discussions at the 183rd session of WP.29 concerning the work of the IWG, reminding that at that session WP.29 and AC.1 adopted the proposals for a new UN Regulation on EDR, the 01 series of amendments to it and extended the mandate for the IWG until December 2022. He outlined the workplan of the IWG and upcoming activities. He added that the IWG would initiate activities related to heavy-duty vehicles during the third quarter of 2021, stating the expectation that a proposal for WP.29 may be ready by 2024.

92. The expert from OICA inquired on the possibility of splitting the IWG into two, one to address EDR and the other to address DSSAS.

93. The expert from the Netherlands, Co-Chair of IWG on EDR/DSSAD, reconfirmed that the group would continue as one group while holding dedicated sessions on the two topics.

94. The expert from the United States of America, Co-Chair of IWG on EDR/DSSAD, clarified that activities regarding heavy-duty vehicles would be initiated within the IWG during the third quarter of 2021, while the drafting of a new UN Regulation in this respect would depend on the position of all participants concerning the need for such a regulation.

95. The GRSG took note of the information provided by the Co-Chairs of the IWG on EDR/DSSAD and invited experts to actively participate in the work of the group.

96. The expert from Canada, Co-Chair of IWG on EDR/DSSAD, presented the activities of the IWG concerning Heavy Vehicle Event Data Recorders (HVEDR), which discussed the feasibility of equipping HVEDR in motor coaches, buses and school buses, outlined research carried out in Canada in this respect and consequential recommendations, and sought feedback from interested parties on developing an UN Regulation governing their requirements (GRSG-121-28).

97. The expert from the Netherlands, Co-Chair of IWG on EDR/DSSAD, thanked the expert from Canada for sharing the research findings and expressed interest in further exchange or information and research findings concerning the application of HVEDR at the upcoming sessions of the IWG.

98. The expert from the United States of America, Co-Chair of IWG on EDR/DSSAD, also thanked the expert from Canada for sharing the findings of research carried out and looked forward for further discussions within the IWG, underlining that the United States of America could not support an initiative for drafting of a UN Regulation concerning HVEDR as there was no national mandate for such an activity at the time.

99. GRSG took note of the discussion concerning HVEDR and the work of the IWG on EDR/DSSAD in this respect, and expressed support for continued work on the subject matter based on consensus among Contracting Parties.

100. The expert from the European Commission presented a proposal for amendments to UN Regulation No. 160, with the aim to add requirements for recording additional data elements by EDRs of vehicles fitted with an Automated Driving System. He stated that the purpose of the proposal was not to seek its immediate endorsement from GRSG, but to table ideas and stimulate further discussions among stakeholders.

101. The expert from CLEPA stated that elements within the proposal elements would require software and possibly hardware changes and that it would be necessary to further discuss the it within the IWG on EDR/DSSAD.

102. The expert from AAPC also called on further discussions concerning the proposal at the IWG on EDR/DSSAD. He also reflected on the relevance of the proposal for the Working Party on Automated/Autonomous and Connected Vehicles (GRVA) as it addresses automation issues.

103. The representative of Japan underlined the need for discussing on this proposal within the IWG on EDR/DSSAD as well as in coordination with the GRVA IWGs on Functional Requirements for Automated and Autonomous Vehicles (FRAV) and on Validation Method for Automated Driving (VMAD), and among Contracting Parties of both the 1958 and 1998 Agreements.

104. The expert from OICA also stressed that the document requires further discussion within the IWG on EDR/DSSAD, as well as in the Sub-Group on DSSAD.

105. The expert from the United States of America, Co-Chair of IWG on EDR/DSSAD, concurred with previous speakers that the document should be taken back to the IWG for further discussions, in particular with respect to the definitions included in the proposals as there are issues that are being worked through in the GRVA IWG on FRAV, and that the IWG on EDR/DSSAD needed to cooperate with the IWGs on FRAV and VMAD on the definitions.

106. GRSG agreed to forward document GRSG-121-32 to the IWG on EDR/DSSAD, and took note that a revised proposal would potentially be tabled at the next session of GRSG in October 2021.