Discussion document prepared under the WP.29 committee for coordination on the creation of a permanent GR Working Party dedicated to automated/autonomous and connected vehicles.
15. AC.2 considered different proposals regarding the creation of a dedicated Groupe de Rapporteurs (GR) on automated vehicles implementing ITC decision No. 19. Deliberations focused on three different options:
16. AC.2 agreed to submit the informal document WP.29-175-25, presenting and assessing the three options as a discussion document from AC.2 to WP.29 for further consideration and possible adoption of one of the options.
22. The Chair of the IWG on Intelligent Transport Systems and Automated Driving (ITS/AD) recalled the activities of the World Forum related to the definition of its priorities that resulted in a main focus on vehicle automation and environmental protection. The importance of vehicle automation had been highlighted within the ITC decision No. 19 requesting WP.29 to consider establishing a dedicated GR on this topic. He presented the three options emerging from the discussions at AC.2 (WP.29-175-25). He continued by highlighting the importance for WP.29 to quickly take a decision, as it was a growing topic of importance for governments, industry and society at large.
23. He stated that when exploring the three different options, it is important to keep in mind that a final solution should take into account the resource constraints.
24. The Chair of ITS, the Chair of WP.29 and the Chair of GRRF recalled the coordinating role of WP.29 and especially of the Administrative Committee for the Coordination of Work (AC.2) given by its composition as defined in Chapter IX of the Rules of Procedure for WP.29.
25. The representative of China stated that the priority for the country is to set up a new seventh GR. If it is not possible in the short term, the restructuration of GRRF into GRVA can be a temporary solution, while a new seventh GR should be established as the long-term solution. He also stressed the importance to harmonize regulations under both the 1958 and 1998 agreements, or at least under the 1998 agreement.
26. The representative of Australia noted the progress made through this proposal and stated that Australia supports the reshaping of GRRF as developed in the first option.
27. The representative of India welcomed the proposal of the first option as an immediate step, stating that all GRs are of equal importance, and that over the long term the most convenient solution would be the creation of a new GR.
28. The representatives of France, Japan and Switzerland supported the proposal of the first option, at this stage.
29. The representative of the Russian Federation mentioned that he did not have any principal objections against strengthening efforts to regulate autonomous transport in the Working Party that is suggested to be established on the basis of GRRF. At the same time, the Russian Federation noted that the overall coordination between all the Working Parties was held by AC.2. Nevertheless, a more detailed study of the issue would require domestic discussions between the Russian authorities and other public bodies. In that respect, the Russian Federation reserved its final position on the issue.
30. The representative of the United States of America, concerned about the need to ensure clear coordination between the GRs, opposed adoption of Option 1 because it did not have a coordination role.
31. WP.29 delegates noted that, at the current stage of the process, the adoption of the document was a first step, subject to review within 12 months. WP.29 decided to monitor and review the functioning of the new structure, including the issues of coordination and allocation of resources.
32. The representative of the European Union called for a swift introduction of the revised structure as described in the first option and reiterated that, via the monitoring and review, a safeguard was given to adjust the structure, if necessary.
33. WP.29 adopted, in implementation of ITC decision No. 19, the conversion of GRRF into GRVA and the reallocation of certain tasks such as tyres and coupling devices to other existing GRs as outlined in the first option of informal document WP.29-175-25. GRVA will oversee the remaining topics from GRRF and encompass activities for autonomous, automated and connected vehicles and incorporate current activities, other than coordination, of the IWG ITS/AD. This decision will take effect immediately.
34. The representative of the United States of America reiterated her concern that the decision was made too quickly and on the basis of an informal document. The United States of America expressed concerns that this decision on an informal document appears to be inconsistent with the Rules under the Terms of Reference and Rules of procedure of the World Forum for Harmonization and Vehicle Regulations. The United States of America also did not agree that GRRF was transformed to GRVA.
35. To address her concern for coordination, WP.29 agreed to add the topic of automated activities management between the GRs to its agenda.
3. GRSG also adopted the running order (GRSG-115-01) as proposed by the Chair. GRSG noted GRSG-115-02 on the main decisions and recommendations of the World Forum taken during its June 2018 session (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1139 and Add.1). Upon the request by the Inland Transport Committee (ITC) to consider establishing a dedicated working party on vehicle automation, WP.29 had agreed to convert the Working Party on Brakes and Running Gear (GRRF) into the Working Party on Automated/Autonomous and Connected Vehicles (GRVA) and to reallocate certain tasks such as tyres to the Working Party on Noise (GRB) and coupling devices to GRSG (WP.29-175-25). GRVA would oversee the remaining topics from GRRF and encompass activities on vehicle automation. The coordination between the working parties (GRs) on the different vehicle automation activities would remain with WP.29. The WP.29 decision had taken effect immediately, but would have to be confirmed by ITC in February 2019.