Objectives for the proposed working group to develop a global regulation for “quiet road transport vehicles”. In principle, the GTR would prescribe acoustic measures(audible vehicle alert systems or AVAS) for moving vehicles in electric mode to signal their presence.
22. Referring to the discussion (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1093, para. 140) held during the November 2011 session of the Executive Committee of the 1998 Agreement (AC.3), the expert from the United States of America introduced the terms of reference (ToR) of the revised mandate of the informal working group on Quiet Road Transport Vehicles (QRTV) (GRB-55-12-Rev.1). He indicated that his country and Japan had volunteered to ensure the technical sponsorship, with the United States of America chairing the informal working group under GRB. He also informed GRB that the EU was also invited to co-sponsor the UN Global Technical Regulation (UN GTR). Some experts suggested that the terms of reference of the informal working group should have open the possibility to include broad technology solutions if they would be available in the future. Finally, GRB agreed with the Chair’s suggestion that the ToR of the informal working group would cover only GRB expertise and that only AC.3 would eventually revise its mandate. GRB adopted the ToR, as reproduced in Annex II to this report. The GRB Chair expressed his intention to seek the consent of WP.29 and AC.3 at their March 2012 sessions.