Proposal to amend UN R73 on Lateral Protection Devices, amending ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2024/38. The proposal adds safety requirements including a new definition of Blind Spot Information System referencing UN R151. Key modifications lower the minimum height of the lower edge of LPD from 550 mm to 450 mm for most vehicles, while maintaining 550 mm for vehicles with axle distance exceeding 6.5 m. The proposal includes transitional provisions and references GRSG-113-13. Japan and France submitted this based on traffic accident data showing reduced fatalities with lower LPD height requirements.
44. The expert from France presented an evolution study of UN Regulation No. 73 on lateral protection devices and proposed to review the test requirements with respect to the geometric and loading/displacement criteria (GRSG-113-11-Rev.1). Thus, he introduced GRSG-113-12 amending the geometric criteria and GRSG-113-13 amending the static force. GRSG welcomed the research study and the proposed amendments. GRSG noted general support and agreed to resume consideration of this subject at its next session in April 2018. The secretariat was requested to circulate GRSG-113-12 and GRSG-113-13 with official symbols and to keep GRSG-113-11-Rev.1 as a reference document.
15. The expert from Japan presented GRSG-129-20 to reintroduce ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2024/38, amended by GRSG-129-21, that improves the effectiveness of Lateral Protection Device (LPD) in preventing left- and right-turn collisions. He underlined the benefits of low ground clearance making LPD more effective by summarizing accidentology data. The expert from the United Kingdom recommended a careful assessment of accidentology, since many of the vehicles still in circulation required exemptions on side guards. He then introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2025/3 and GRSG-129-41 amending it, which propose different transitional provisions. The expert from Italy introduced GRSG-129-47-Rev.2, to ensure the correct interpretation of the exemptions on the height of LPD by the Type Approval Authorities. The expert from CLCCR introduced GRSG-129-46 urging that the proposal be paused pending further review, since an impact assessment is needed to confirm costs versus expected benefits. He added that the correct method involves calculating the angle between two ramps using the tangent function based on ground clearance and wheelbase. Finally, GRSG adopted GRSG-129-21-Rev.5, superseding GRSG-129-22, which incorporates the proposals from the experts of the United Kingdom and GRSG-129-47-Rev.2; see annex V of this report. The secretariat was requested to submit the amendments as the proposal of the 02 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 73, for consideration and vote at the November 2025 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1.
15. The expert from Japan presented GRSG-129-20 to reintroduce ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2024/38, amended by GRSG-129-21, that improves the effectiveness of Lateral Protection Device (LPD) in preventing left- and right-turn collisions. He underlined the benefits of low ground clearance making LPD more effective by summarizing accidentology data. The expert from the United Kingdom recommended a careful assessment of accidentology, since many of the vehicles still in circulation required exemptions on side guards. He then introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2025/3 and GRSG-129-41 amending it, which propose different transitional provisions. The expert from Italy introduced GRSG-129-47-Rev.2, to ensure the correct interpretation of the exemptions on the height of LPD by the Type Approval Authorities. The expert from CLCCR introduced GRSG-129-46 urging that the proposal be paused pending further review, since an impact assessment is needed to confirm costs versus expected benefits. He added that the correct method involves calculating the angle between two ramps using the tangent function based on ground clearance and wheelbase. Finally, GRSG adopted GRSG-129-21-Rev.5, superseding GRSG-129-22, which incorporates the proposals from the experts of the United Kingdom and GRSG-129-47-Rev.2; see annex V of this report. The secretariat was requested to submit the amendments as the proposal of the 02 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 73, for consideration and vote at the November 2025 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1.
70. WP.29 considered draft amendment under agenda item 4.7.2. (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2025/104) and recommended their submission to AC.1 for voting, subject to the following amendment:
| Paragraph 11.11., amend to read: | |
| “11.11. | The requirement for the height … until 1 September 2044. These exemptions shall remain applicable in the case of extensions of approvals first granted before 1 September 2044.” |
| Paragraph 11.12., amend to read: | |
| “11.12. | Notwithstanding … preceding series of amendments to this Regulation. If such a Contracting Party chooses not to accept approvals which were granted in accordance with paragraph 11.11. of the 02 series of amendments to this Regulation, it shall notify the Secretariat accordingly.” |
Paragraph 13.3., amend to read: | |
| “13.3. | Vehicles where… |
| 13.3.1. | For vehicles of category N2G, N3G and their vehicle bodywork1, where any LPD is incompatible with their off-road use, the Type Approval Authority may decide that the lower edge of LPD shall at no point be more than 550 mm above the ground. |
| Paragraph 16.2., amend to read: | |
| ”16.2. | Vehicles … Authority. |
| 16.2.1. | For vehicles of category N2G, N3G and their vehicle bodywork1, where any LPD is incompatible with their off-road use, the Type Approval Authority may decide that the lower edge of LPD shall at no point be more than 550mm above the ground. |
| —————————1. Bodywork, chassis parts or other components, such that, by virtue of their shape and characteristics, these elements can be regarded as totally or partially fulfilling the function of the LPD." | |
71. The representative of Switzerland pointed out that the proposed amendment under item 4.7.2 regarding the lowering of LPD could affect intermodal transport as certain vehicle configurations would no longer be compatible with train wagons. In Switzerland alone, over one thousand train wagons would be affected. Hence, Switzerland thought that further technical assessments were necessary to fully understand the impacts on intermodal transport. For the above reasons, the representative of Switzerland informed WP.29 about her intention to abstain from vote in AC.1 on this proposal. The representative of OICA shared the concern expressed by the representative of Switzerland.