Common Functional Performance Requirements for Automated Driving Systems and ADS-Equipped Vehicles
Document WP.29-180-10
9 March 2020

In accordance with the WP.29 Framework Document on Automated/Autonomous Vehicles, this document provides common functional performance requirements based on national/regional guidelines and other relevant reference documents consistent with the 1958 and 1998 Agreements. The document is based primarily upon discussions held among the experts of the Informal Working Group on Functional Requirements for Automated Vehicles (FRAV) under the Working Party on Automated/Autonomous and Connected Vehicles (GRVA) and informal documents GRVA-05-40 and GRVA-05-41 as presented during the 5th GRVA session (10-14 February 2020). This document highlights common concepts identified through the first two FRAV sessions. These concepts are not exhaustive and many, if not all, will undergo changes as the FRAV and GRVA work progresses. This document does not constitute a proposal, formal or otherwise, for automated vehicle legal requirements but may serve to support discussions across WP.29 and its subsidiary bodies.

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2.3. | Intelligent Transport Systems and coordination of automated vehicles related activities

22. The representative of the United States of America, Co-Chair of IWG on FRAV, introduced WP.29-180-10, summarizing the group’s work, suggesting FDAV improvements and presenting the group’s consensus on high-level requirements. He noted that FRAV has held two full meetings contiguous with VMAD and more than 100 experts. He highlighted the group’s concern to use accurate terms. The group discourages the use of “autonomous” as misleading and uses “minimal”, not “minimum”, risk manoeuvres (MRM) because an MRM responds to road conditions and best available solutions. In addition to avoidance of injury or death and compliance with traffic laws, the group noted additional aspects such as behaviour consistent with safe and fluid traffic flows and attention to economic consequences such as destruction of property.

23. The representative of the United States of America reported that the group has identified automated vehicle configurations that fall outside the category definitions of Special Resolution S.R.1. He noted unallocated elements of the FDAV (i.e., vehicle maintenance and inspection, consumer education and training, crashworthiness and compatibility, and post-crash Automated Vehicle (AV) behaviour) pertinent to functional safety. He announced planned meetings in Paris (April 2020) and California (September 2020).

24. The representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland welcomed the presentation but sought clarification as to whether the FRAV group had reached a conclusion regarding the use of Operational Design Domain (ODD) versus Operational Domain (OD), as stated in informal document 10. He added that the discussion on vehicle categories should not only concentrate on S.R.1 but also Consolidated Resolution R.E.3. He further suggested that it should also involve WP.1.

25. The representative of the United States of America answered that WP.29-180-10 presents the group’s high-level consensus. However, ODD will be discussed in detail at its next session. He noted a proposal from China to establish the term “Operational Design Conditions” (ODC) based on the concern that ODD did not include dependency on driver status. Therefore, the group would be working to produce a more precise definition for ODD and other terms.

26. The representative of Finland supported the view that a common understanding with WP.1 would be needed. He also recalled the discussion at GRSG on categories for Automated Shuttles and welcomed the idea to review S.R.1 and R.E.3 and volunteered to participate in this work.

27. The representative of the United States welcomed the comments received. He stated that the delegates from WP.1 should join the meeting and contribute or present documents.

28. The Vice-Chair of WP.29 agreed that practical solutions should be discussed with WP.1 during the joint meeting (see agenda item 8.2). He also recalled that the IWG on FRAV would continue to report to GRVA.

29. The Secretary of the IWG on FRAV (AAPC) highlighted complementary WP.1 interests. For example, FRAV experts reached a high-level consensus that a vehicle should signal initiation of minimal risk manoeuvres to surrounding road users (WP.29-180-10, item 33). He suggested that WP.1 may wish to consider driver obligations for correct use of Automated Driving Systems (ADS) or prohibiting drivers from using devices intended to defeat ADS safety features (e.g., using weights to simulate the driver’s hand on the steering wheel).

30. The representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland explained that at the WP.1-WP.29 Executive Task Force meeting in June 2019, he undertook to prepare a comparison table of terms used by WP.29 and WP.1. He had been invited to present this information during the joint meeting.

4. (b) | Deliverables of the Informal Working Group on Functional Requirements for Automated and Autonomous Vehicles

18. The expert from the United States of America, Co-Chair of the IWG on Functional Requirements for Automated and Autonomous Vehicles (FRAV) summarized the group’s work (GRVA-05-40 and GRVA-05-41). He noted that FRAV has held two full meetings contiguous with VMAD and with more than 100 experts. He highlighted the group’s concern to use accurate terms. The group discouraged the use of “autonomous” as misleading and uses “Minimal”, not “Minimum”, Risk Manoeuvres (MRM) because an MRM responds to road conditions and best available solutions. In addition to avoidance of injury or death and compliance with traffic laws, the group noted additional aspects such as behaviour consistent with safe and fluid traffic flows and attention to economic consequences such as destruction of property. He reported that the group had identified automated vehicle configurations that fall outside the category definitions of Special Resolution S.R.1. He also suggested improvements to the Framework Document on Automated Vehicles (FDAV) would be soon necessary and presented the group’s consensus on high-level requirements. He noted unallocated elements of the FDAV (i.e. vehicle maintenance and inspection, consumer education and training, crashworthiness and compatibility, and post-crash Automated Vehicle (AV) behaviour) pertinent to functional safety. He announced planned meetings in Paris (April 2020) and California (September 2020).

2.3. | Intelligent Transport Systems and coordination of automated vehicles related activities

28. The representative of the United States of America presented WP.29-179-25 proposing the correction of a printing error in the Framework Document on Automated Vehicles. WP.29 requested the secretariat to prepare Revision 2 to the framework document.

8.5. | Tributes
Related and Previous Documents
GRVA-05-40
GRVA-05-41
WP.29/2019/34/Rev.2
Relates to Automated Driving |