99. The expert from Japan presented the outcome (GRVA-15-22) of the preliminary meeting organized to develop draft terms of reference for a new IWG on Acceleration Control for Pedal Error (ACPE). He introduced GRVA-15-07, containing the draft Terms of Reference prepared by the group.

100. The expert from OICA announced that he would support it, if there was a positive decision regarding the establishment of the group. He invited the group to reflect on the differences between Autonomous Emergency Braking System (AEBS) and ACPE, on the need to include N1 vehicles (often driven by professional drivers) in the scope of the group, on the compatibility of such system with the road traffic safety conventions of WP.1 and on the need to further review data from other contracting parties. The expert from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland supported GRVA-15-07. He encouraged experts to share and review data to support the work at the IWG. He mentioned that a first review of data in London led to identify that professional driver could also benefit from such systems and therefore recommended to not immediately exclude certain vehicle categories.

101. The expert from Japan explained that the speed of operation was the main discriminant between AEBS and ACPE. He pointed at paragraph 3 to the draft ToR mentioning a review of the Geneva and Vienna Convention on Road Traffic safety, if necessary.

102. Informal document GRVA-15-07/Rev.1 reflected the nomination of Japan and Germany as Co-Chairs, as well as OICA as Secretary to the Group. GRVA-15-07/Rev.2 included an attempt by OICA to guide the group regarding other vehicle categories than M1 and N1.

103. GRVA agreed to request the approval for the establishment of the IWG on Acceleration Control for Pedal Error at the WP.29 session in March 2023. GRVA adopted GRVA-15-07/Rev.3, prepared by the secretariat, and reproduced in Annex IV to the report, as the ToR and Rules of Procedures for the IWG on ACPE.

75. The expert from Japan presented GRVA-14-14, proposing that GRVA harmonize requirements for Acceleration Control for Pedal Error (ACPE) under the 1958 Agreement. She detailed the situation in Japan, with drivers aged 75 and above being statistically more often involved in accidents due to errors when using the acceleration pedal instead of the brakes. She provided details demonstrating the benefits of mandating ACPE and proposed a work plan for GRVA.

76. The expert from the United States of America inquired why harmonization was proposed to be performed under the 1958 Agreement and raised questions on data to determine potential costs/benefits ratios supporting regulatory activities. The expert from France asked about existing feedback regarding false positives and inquired whether such system would only make sense for vehicles with an automatic gearbox. The expert from Sweden inquired whether Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS) regulations could address such situations. The expert from the Republic of Korea explained that his country experienced similar cases, as demonstrated by EDR data, and that they would participate in such activities, as proposed by Japan. The expert from Germany mentioned similar accidents in his country as well and explained that such systems would require regulations as they potentially override the driver. The expert from OICA inquired whether guidelines could be considered to address ACPE. He noted that “overriding the driver” was discussed in the context of complex ADAS and ADS but had not been acceptable so far from the regulator point of view for more simple systems such as AEBS, hence for ACPE.

77. GRVA agreed that the expert from Japan, together with interested Contracting Parties, would draft preliminary Terms of Reference (ToRs) of a potential IWG on ACPE. GRVA agreed to review draft ToRs and to decide on the way forward at its next session.