5. The expert from France, Chair of the IWG on BMFE introduced document GRSG-122-05, a proposal for the 10 series of amendment to UN Regulation No. 107, aimed at increasing the safety of M2 and M3 vehicles in case of fire by improving their general construction with regard to evacuation time. This proposal amends the working document referenced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2021/17.

6. The expert from of Italy appreciated done by IWG on BMFE however, he expressed some reservations regarding the test specifications on the proposal and requested that the tests described in the proposal be more specific. The experts from Germany, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, and the European Commission indicated their support. The expert from OICA commended the effort from the IWG stating proposal made a good compromise to all Contracting Parties and proposed the text be adopted be revisited in future to improve on the test specification when there are more reference materials to update this proposal.

7. GRSG adopted document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2021/17, as amended by GRSG-122-05, and requested its submission an official document to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their March 2022 sessions.

8. The expert from Germany presented informal documents GRSG-122-23 a proposal for amendments to UN Regulation No. 107 aimed at adding new requirements to service-door light signalling in tramways and railways. Representatives of Switzerland and France expressed concerns on the possibility of sensory overload from lightning for road users because the tramways share the same traffic area as other road users. The representative of Switzerland in conclusion said there seemed to be no real advantage of illuminated doors in tramways and railways. The representative of the United Kingdom also expressed concerns and said there is need to clarify further with colleagues from GRE dealing with lightning matters.

9. GRSG finalized discussions on increasing the safety of M2 and M3 occupants with requirements for improving evacuation time, a proposal for amendment to UN Regulation No. 107 (M2 and M3 vehicles).

10. The secretariat introduced informal document GRSG-122-04 a question from a private stakeholder needed clarification on the current UN Regulation No. 107 regarding electric buses. The stakeholder recalled in UN Regulation No. 107, buses with its power source from electric engines were not considered when referring to fire suppression system (FSS) that has to undergo a mock-up test. This stakeholder’s inquiry from GRSG was to know if a bus bodybuilder can get a waiver from a FSS if he is manufacturing electric buses.

11. The experts from Netherlands, Finland and Switzerland all shared similar opinion that UN Regulation No.107 does not establish requirements on Fire suppression systems (FSS) for electric engines. The expert from Switzerland emphasized that the FSS of an electric engine is a completely different system and that UN Regulation No. 100 on Electric power trained vehicles would be a better reference to issues related to the electric engine system. The expert from Canada said issues related to fire on electric vehicles were covered in UN Regulation No. 100 he further explained that issues related to thermal propagation and fire risk associated with electric vehicles are currently handled by the IWG for electric vehicle safety in GRSP and he proposed to present this topic of FSS to the IWG as methods to mitigate fire risk in electric vehicle.

12. The expert from France informed GRSG the element of FSS in electric vehicles was recently discussed at the IWG on BMFE and that thermal propagation on electric vehicles is covered in 03 series of amendment in UN Regulation No. 100. GRSG concluded by referring the private stakeholder to UN Regulation No. 100 regarding FSS on electric buses.

13. The secretariat, representing GRSP presented document GRSP-69-05, an update of the activities of the IWG on Safer Transport of Children in Buses and Coaches (IWG-STCBC) to GRSG. The expert from Germany stated that it would be of great benefit to have the Chair of the IWG on STCBC present this report to GRSG. He also proposed preparation of an informal GRSG document for this presentation and stated his plans to discuss this with the Chair of the IWG on STCBC.

14. The Chair of GRSG invited delegations to report on current activities regarding consideration of specifications on autonomous shuttles with a view of reviewing the applicability of existing requirements or creating new categories of these vehicles. He recalled the presentation from France at the previous session of GRSG and asked if there were updates.

15. The expert from the European Commission informed delegations of the activities of the Commission following the presentation and the work done by France. He said, the work of autonomous shuttles is a subgroup of the motor vehicle working group and the current work of the Commission, is to achieve a European approach. He invited the participation of GRSG experts in the work of autonomous shuttles going on in the Commission, why emphasizing the importance of contributions from GRSG experts in the ongoing work.

16. The Chair of GRSG took note of the update from France regarding the legislative framework for autonomous shuttles and invited national experts to update GRSG on their domestic activities at upcoming GRSG sessions.