Discussion of the evolution of UN R73 with a proposal to update load requirements for lateral protection devices:

• Application of a force of 3kN perpendicular to the device (as currently defined)
• Max. strain under loading at 90mm over the 250mm most rearwards part
• Max. strain under loading at 450mm on the other parts.

44. The expert from France presented an evolution study of UN Regulation No. 73 on lateral protection devices and proposed to review the test requirements with respect to the geometric and loading/displacement criteria (GRSG-113-11-Rev.1). Thus, he introduced GRSG-113-12 amending the geometric criteria and GRSG-113-13 amending the static force. GRSG welcomed the research study and the proposed amendments. GRSG noted general support and agreed to resume consideration of this subject at its next session in April 2018. The secretariat was requested to circulate GRSG-113-12 and GRSG-113-13 with official symbols and to keep GRSG-113-11-Rev.1 as a reference document.

Proposal to update the horizontal static force requirement for lateral protection devices to 3 kN and the deflection under load criteria to 90 mm over the rearmost 250 mm of the device and 450 mm over the remainder of the device. The purpose is to reduce the risk of running over a person (e.g., a motorcycle rider) during a lateral collision.

44. The expert from France presented an evolution study of UN Regulation No. 73 on lateral protection devices and proposed to review the test requirements with respect to the geometric and loading/displacement criteria (GRSG-113-11-Rev.1). Thus, he introduced GRSG-113-12 amending the geometric criteria and GRSG-113-13 amending the static force. GRSG welcomed the research study and the proposed amendments. GRSG noted general support and agreed to resume consideration of this subject at its next session in April 2018. The secretariat was requested to circulate GRSG-113-12 and GRSG-113-13 with official symbols and to keep GRSG-113-11-Rev.1 as a reference document.

Proposal to amend geometrical criteria (dimensions and distances between lateral protection devices) and installation provisions for lateral protection barriers in order to improve their performance with regard to vulnerable road users. The proposal would

1. increase the maximum distance between lateral rails from 300 mm to 400 mm
2. redefine the limits for the lower edge from “550 mm above the ground” to definition via an isosceles triangle formed by lines drawn at 8° from the ground contact points of the vehicle tires intersecting at point “I” above the road surface where the maximum limit “I” is between 350-450 mm
3. define the upper edge as from 450 mm rather than 300 mm maximum from the vehicle structure or maximum height of the upper edge above the ground from 950 mm to 850 mm
4. update the horizontal static force requirement for lateral protection devices to 3 kN and the deflection under load criteria to 90 mm over the rearmost 250 mm of the device and 450 mm over the remainder of the device.

36. GRSG recalled the evolution study of UN Regulation No. 73 from the previous session (GRSG-113-11-Rev.1). The expert from France proposed to improve the performance level of Lateral Protection Devices (LPD) for a better protection of vulnerable road users (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2018/5). The expert from the Russian Federation raised concerns on the lack of detailed statistical data on fatalities in the event of a lateral impact and on the impact of these amendments for vehicles in regions with specific climate and/or road conditions. The expert from OICA endorsed the concerns raised by the Russian Federation. He noted that the proposed geometrical dimensions might result in other difficulties or risks. He concluded that some derogation would be necessary for special purpose vehicles.

37. Following a detailed consideration of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2018/5, GRSG welcomed the offer by France to organize a dedicated meeting prior to the forthcoming GRSG session to further discuss and clarify the remaining issues.

38. GRSG agreed to resume consideration of this subject at its next session in October 2018 and requested the secretariat to keep ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2018/5 and GRSG-113-11-Rev.1 on the agenda as reference documents.

Proposal to amend geometrical criteria (dimensions and distances between lateral protection devices) and installation provisions for lateral protection barriers in order to improve their performance with regard to vulnerable road users. The proposal would

1. increase the maximum distance between lateral rails from 300 mm to 400 mm
2. redefine the limits for the lower edge from “550 mm above the ground” to definition via an isosceles triangle formed by lines drawn at 8° from the ground contact points of the vehicle tires intersecting at point “I” above the road surface where the maximum limit “I” is between 350-450 mm
3. define the upper edge as from 450 mm rather than 300 mm maximum from the vehicle structure or maximum height of the upper edge above the ground from 950 mm to 850 mm
4. update the horizontal static force requirement for lateral protection devices to 3 kN and the deflection under load criteria to 90 mm over the rearmost 250 mm of the device and 450 mm over the remainder of the device.

44. Recalling the discussion of GRSG at its previous meetings, the expert from France stated that more time was needed to find an agreement on the proposal to improve the performance level of LPD for a better protection of vulnerable road users (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2018/18). GRSG agreed to defer the discussion on this subject to its next session.

43. The expert from France informed GRSG that the proposal to improve the performance level of lateral protection devices for a better protection of vulnerable road users was in progress and that more time was needed for investigations. GRSG agreed to remove, in the meantime, the item from the agenda of the next session.