113. The World Forum considered the proposals for new UN Regulations on uniform provisions concerning the approval of motor vehicles on Blind Spot Information Systems for the Detection of Bicycles, on Light Signalling Devices (LSD), on Road Illumination Devices (RID) and on Retro-Reflective Devices (RRD) under items 4.12.1 to 4.12.4. The World Forum considered the proposals and recommended their submission to AC.1 for voting.

25. The expert from EC reported on the outcome of IWG on VRU-Proxi on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2018/24 for a new UN Regulation on BSIS. He added that IWG experts had agreed on a number of further amendments to the proposal as reflected in GRSG-115-10. The experts from Germany presented GRSG-115-33 that summarizes the amendments proposed by IWG, and GRSG-115-37 that explains the psychological approach of the driver’s turning information concept. GRSG noted GRSG-115-13 on the draft ISO standard 19206:4 referred to in the new draft UN Regulation on BSIS. The expert from OICA introduced GRSG-115-24 on the need to limit, in a first step, the scope of the new UN Regulation to vehicles of categories N2 (with a permissible technical mass higher than 8 tons) and N3 only. GRSG endorsed that position and mandated IWG on VRU-Proxi to work further on a possible extension of the scope to other categories vehicles. The expert from Israel proposed to amend paragraph 5.5.3. on the conditions to activate the warning signal (GRSG-115-36). With respect to the testing procedure of BSIS, the expert from CLEPA presented GRSG-115-30 on the ambient light conditions and GRSG-115-31 on the distance between the vehicle and the bicycle.

26. As a result of the discussion on GRSG-115-10-Rev.1, GRSG adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2018/24 as amended by Annex II to this report. The secretariat was requested to submit it to WP.29 and AC.1 as a new draft UN Regulation on BSIS for consideration at their March 2019 sessions.

20. The expert from Germany recalled the purpose of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/11 and reported on the outcome of the IWG on VRU-Proxi (GRSG-114-21). The IWG had recommended enlarging the scope of the new UN Regulation on vehicles of categories M2 and M3. The expert from OICA stated that this amendment was premature and that accident data did not yet justify a broader scope to vehicles of categories M2 and M3. GRSG noted that, for some regions, the need was based on general safety provisions.

21. The expert from the United Kingdom supported the proposal in general, but pointed out that drivers could possibly disconnect such warning systems. He underlined the need for further research on the effectiveness of such information systems, especially Human-Machine Interface (HMI).

22. The expert from Germany stated his intention to review the proposal and to submit, in due time, a revised proposal for consideration by GRSG at its October 2018 session.

16. The expert from Japan, chairing the new Informal Working Group (IWG) on awareness of Vulnerable Road Users proximity in low speed manoeuvres (VRU-Proxi), reported on the progress made by the group during its meeting in Brussels on 23-24 March 2017 (GRSG-112-13). GRSG welcomed the updated draft terms of reference and rules of procedure for the IWG on VRU-Proxi (GRSG-112-14-Rev.1 superseding GRSG-111-29). GRSG noted the overlap of the IWG activities with agenda item 16 on a new draft UN Regulation on Blind Spot Information Systems (BSIS). GRSG underlined the urgent need to adopt the new UN Regulation and agreed that the IWG on VRU-Proxi shall consider ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/11 (tabled by Germany) as a first priority at its forthcoming meeting, scheduled to be held in Paris on 3-4 July 2017. In this respect, GRSG adopted the terms of reference and rules of procedure for the IWG on VRU-Proxi as reproduced in Annex III to this report. The GRSG Chair announced his intention to inform WP.29 at its June 2017 session about the terms of reference of the above-mentioned IWG.

47. The expert from Germany presented GRSG-112-36 on the development of test procedures for a new draft UN Regulation on Blind Spot Information Systems (BSIS). He reported on the research results, the derivation of test cases and the new technical requirements on the conduction of test for such BSIS. He introduced a proposal for a new draft UN Regulation on BSIS (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/11). GRSG welcomed the detailed information and the proposal by Germany.

48. The expert from Israel recommended to extend the scope also to categories of vehicles other than N₂ and N₃. He added to even insert provisions on aftermarket BSIS for the purpose of retrofitting vehicles already in service. A number of experts underlined their preference to adopt, in a first step, the new UN Regulation and then to extend the scope in a further stage.

49. During a first reading of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/11, the document received a number of comments on the definitions and cross-references to other UN Regulations. Following the discussion, GRSG agreed that the IWG on VRU-Proxi (see para. 16 under agenda item 5) shall resume consideration of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/11 as a first priority at its forthcoming meetings.

50. GRSG agreed to, at its next session, have a further review of draft UN Regulation on BSIS and to resume consideration of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/11 on the basis of the detailed feedback by the IWG on VRU-Proxi.