14. The GRVA Chair presented the proposal for amendments to Table 1 in the Framework Document on Automated/Autonomous Vehicles (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2024/33) reflecting the recent arrangements made for developing regulation on ADS under GRVA.

15. The representative of Canada offered to host the first leadership meeting of the IWG on ADS in Ottawa, Canada, on 26-27 March 2024. Separately, he called on industry and stakeholders to cooperate and support this workstream.

16. The representative of Japan hoped that the development of regulations on ADS would proceed according to the scheduled timeline.

17. The representative of China recalled their leadership efforts at GRVA level and IWG on Functional Requirements for Automated Vehicles (FRAV) level and committed to promote the activities of the IWG on ADS.

18. The representative of the United States of America expressed appreciation for the global cooperation initiated in that field.

19. The representative of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland looked forward to that process and committed to support the leadership effort.

20. The representative of OICA supported these activities and recalled their offer to provide secretariat support to the IWG, together with other organizations. The representative of CLEPA recalled that the effectiveness of the global requirements would depend on the proper transposition at national or regional level.

21. WP.29 noted that the IWG on ADS would be led by the representatives of Canada, China, European Commission, Japan, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America. WP.29 also noted that the secretariat services would be provided by the representatives of AAPC, OICA, JASIC and SAE International.

22. WP.29 adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2024/33.

22. The secretariat presented, for information, WP.29-181-05, reflecting the advancement evaluation of the activities listed in the Framework Document on Automated/autonomous Vehicles (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2019/34/Rev.2).

22. The secretariat recalled the purpose of WP.29-186-08 drafted by the IWG on FRAV and WP.29-186-09 drafted by the IWG on Validation Methods for Automated Driving (VMAD), that were mandated under the framework document on automated vehicles (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2019/34/Rev.2 as amended by ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2021/151). The Chair of GRVA detailed the content of the two documents and their purpose. He explained that both documents were guidelines that would be suitable for the contracting parties of the 1998 and 1958 Agreements.

23. The representative of the European Commission stated his full support for these informal documents and added that the contained concepts were also taken into consideration for developing the European Union legislation for ADS.

24. The representative of the United States of America clarified that WP.29-186-08 was not mature enough and recommended not to issue it as an official document for the next session.

25. The representative of OICA stated the importance of the work done by GRVA and its informal working groups under the framework document. He welcomed the progress done on the drafting of guidelines for ADS safety. He explained that OICA would welcome proposals from Contracting Parties for ADS regulations based on the guidelines prepared by GRVA.

26. The representative of OICA advised to initiate a review of the UN Regulations and UN GTRs with regards to their fitness for ADS, including driverless systems, as these regulations might refer to drivers.

27. The Chair of GRVA explained that AC.2 discussed the need to review the UN Regulations and UN GTRs and was in the process of setting a coordinated approach.

28. The representative of the European Commission fully recognized the need to review the Vehicle Regulations, which were linked to drivers, to accommodate for automated/autonomous driving.

29. The representative of the United States of America advised that this task could require a phased approach, one phase being the identification of UN Regulations and UN GTRs of relevance and a second phase being the evaluation of the provisions and test requirements that might be linked to drivers.

30. WP.29 requested all GRs to perform a screening of the UN Regulations and UN GTRs of relevance until March 2023 and agreed to resume consideration of a coordinated approach for reporting to AC.2 and WP.29.

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.

28. The representative of the United States of America reminded GRSP about the framework document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2019/34/Rev.2, endorsed by the World Forum, on priority topics for automated and connected vehicles. He reiterated that crashworthiness remained relevant and that the framework document would be implemented by related topics stemming from the activities of GRSP. The expert from Germany also reiterated the need of developing a document showing passive safety priority topics. GRSP agreed to resume discussion on this subject based on a proposal to be developed by the expert from Germany with the experts from OICA and other concerned parties.

39. The secretariat introduced WP.29-184-15 proposing updates to Table 1 of the Framework document on automated/autonomous vehicles (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2019/34/Rev.2). He explained that the document was developed by AC.2, and that it had been reviewed and completed by GRVA at its tenth session and that it included the last-minute amendments proposed by the IWGs on Validation Method for Automated Driving (VMAD) and Event Data Recorder / Data Storage System for Automated Driving (EDR/DSSAD).

40. The representative of the European Union introduced document WP.29-184-18 tabling proposed changes to the rows on DSSAD and EDR in WP.29-184-15.

41. The World Forum discussed and endorsed the revised Framework document on automated/autonomous vehicles (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2019/34/Rev.2), as amended by WP.29-184-15 and the EDR/DSSAD related amendments in WP.29-184-18, with deadlines for submission of EDR related deliverables to WP.29 reflected in its Table 1 remaining in square brackets. WP.29 requested the secretariat to distribute the revised document with an official symbol for final consideration in November 2021.

42. The Secretary recalled the purpose of the Framework Document on Automated Vehicles, which contains guidance to WP.29 subsidiary bodies and an annex defining the programme of activities on automated vehicles. The Chair proposed (GRVA-24-31) amendments to the annex for discussion in preparation for the June 2026 WP.29 session, where an update to this document could be proposed.

43. The proposal received some comments: the representative of the United States of America proposed to also examine at the first part of the framework document too. The representative of the Netherlands supported the extension of the IWG on ADS mandate beyond November 2026. The Chair of the TF on FADS mentioned that the task force will no longer be needed after 2026. The Chair of the IWG on CS/OTA mentioned the two topics that would be addressed by the group. OICA proposed to merge the IWG on ADS and the workshops. The European Commission expressed interest in working on the implementation of the ADS regulations. France reported on positive synergies provided by the implementation workshops along with the IWG on CS/OTA. He suggested to study the replication of this structure for other topics. Australia proposed considering flattening the GRVA structure. Japan proposed to integrate the scenario workshop into the activities of the implementation workshops on ADS. GRVA agreed to resume discussions on the GRVA structure at its twenty-fifth session.