3. GRB noted the update of the references to ISO standards into the Regulation and agreed to defer discussion at its February 2012 session (see para. 4 of this report).

10. The expert from CLEPA introduced GRB-54-09 proposing the inclusion of the additional sound emission provisions (ASEP) also into Regulation No. 59. The proposal received comments from GRB experts, such as the deletion of the proposed tolerance of 4 dB(A), unless technical rationales are provided for justification. GRB agreed to resume discussion at its February 2012 session on the basis of a revised proposal tabled by the expert from CLEPA.

11. Referring to the discussion at its previous GRB session, the expert from Italy introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2011/10, proposing a revised version of Regulation No. 92 taking into account the recent revisions of Regulations Nos. 9, 41 and 63. GRB adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2011/10 (amended by GRB-54-04), as amended by Annex II of this report. The secretariat was requested to submit the proposal to WP.29 and AC.1, for consideration and vote at their March 2012 sessions, as draft 01 series of amendments to Regulation No. 92.

12. The expert from the Russian Federation introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2011/11, aimed at improving the test provisions for measuring the rolling resistance of tyres. The proposal received several comments (GRB-54-02, GRB-54-08 and GRB-54-10 amongst others). The Chair of GRB introduced GRB-54-12-Rev.1 proposing to amend ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2011/11. He clarified that the proposal did not affect the existing methods but result in a further option to the deceleration method. GRB adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2011/11 as reproduced by Annex III to this report. However, some GRB experts suggested further technical assessment of the proposed alternative method to the next GRB sessions. The secretariat was requested to submit the proposal to WP.29 and AC.1, for consideration at their March 2012 sessions, as draft Supplement 1 to the 02 series of amendments to Regulation No. 117.

13. GRB noted also the work progress of the Working Party on Brakes and Running Gear (GRRF) on matters of common interest with GRB (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRRF/2011/12, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRRF/2011/29, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRRF/2011/30, GRRF-69-23, GRRF-71-29 and GRRF-71-31). Particularly, GRB endorsed ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRRF/2011/30, inserting a new definition of C3 class tyres adopted by GRRF at its September session.

14. GRB agreed to defer discussion on this agenda item to its February 2012 session, awaiting a concrete proposal from the expert of the Netherlands to harmonize the terminology used in the Regulations concerned.

15. The expert from the Netherlands introduced GRB-54-11, showing a research initiative in his country on a road side noise inspection test with a roller-bench. The expert from FIM expressed concerns on the legal implications of this type of inspection test. The expert from IMMA supported the initiative as a contribution to possible pragmatic and successful law enforcement to cope moped noise issues, such as tampering. GRB agreed to resume consideration on this matter at its next session and expected to receive also information from the expert of Finland on a similar initiative in progress in her country.

16. GRB noted that no new information had been given under this agenda item.

17. The Chair of the informal working group on Quiet Road Transport Vehicles (QRTV), reported on the good progress (GRB-54-18) made by the group at its sixth and seventh meetings held in San Diego, California, USA on 15 May 2011 and in Osaka, Japan on 31 August 2011. He announced that the next meeting of the group was planned to be held in Baltimore, Maryland, USA on 18 October 2011. He clarified that the group was focusing on key elements such as definitions, applicability, type of sound produced, etc. He underlined the need of benchmarking on silent vehicles (i.e. establishing maximum sound level at speeds below 30 to 20 km/h). He added that vehicle speed and tires were fundamental in this process. Referring to the discussion during the last session of the Executive Committee of the 1998 Agreement (AC.3) (see ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1091, para. 112), the expert from the United States of America informed GRB that his country will co-sponsor, with Japan, a proposal for developing a UN GTR (through GRB/QRTV) to ensure harmonization with the current development of a proposed regulation in his country. He added that according to the notice of intent (NOI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an environmental assessment, together with a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) would be published in July 2012 (www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-07-12/pdf/2011-17341.pdf). The Chair of the GRB presented his understanding of the USA timeline and questioned the very short time to finalize the performance requirements of the USA regulation and the UN GTR. The expert from the United States of America stated that the development of the draft UN GTR should follow the timeline of NHTSA rulemaking process and that probably the broad range of options that he believes will be initially proposed in the NPRM, would be reduced in the rulemaking process, easing GRB’s task. The Chair of QRTV suggested that his understanding of the USA regulation process, meaningful discussions and alignment of the USA regulation and the UN GTR may be precluded by USA law regarding ex-parte discussions once the NPRM is issued.

18. The WBU expert, informed GRB about the perception needs of visually impaired people to locate a vehicle, its direction and speed. He added that specific noises (i.e.: acceleration, deceleration and idling) of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles were important information in identifying vehicle distance, as is also the case for vulnerable road users such as children and elderly people. In this respect, the Chair of QRTV informed GRB that his group was identifying criteria to have the most informative audible warning device.

19. The expert from the United Kingdom informed GRB about the project report of the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) on the assessment of perceived safety risk from quiet electric and hybrid vehicles to vision-impaired pedestrians (www.dft.gov.uk/publications/trl-report-ppr525). Finally GRB noted an article (GRB-54-07) submitted by the expert from the Netherlands on effects of electric vehicles on road safety.

20. GRB agreed to resume discussion of this agenda item at its February 2012 session, awaiting the proposal for developing a UN GTR by Japan and United States of America and the outcome of the next meeting of informal working group on QRTV.

21. GRB noted the discussion on this subject held at the June 2011 session of WP.29 (see ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1091, para. 74) and that the venue and date of the next EFV conference would be confirmed at the November session of WP.29.

25. The World Forum recalled the oral report of the Chair of GRB, given during the 153rd session (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1089, para. 41) and approved the report.