For escape hatches on buses of Classes A and B, proposal to allow a maximum length of 1600 mm equally spaced to cover the shortest vehicles, so the allowed space should be the maximum of either the third of the length or 1600 mm. This proposal will not affect the positioning requirements for any mid-sized and larger buses.

For escape hatches on buses of Classes A and B, proposal to allow a maximum length of 1600 mm equally spaced to cover the shortest vehicles, so the allowed space should be the maximum of either the third of the length or 1600 mm. This proposal will not affect the positioning requirements for any mid-sized and larger buses.

Revised proposal to allow an alternative positioning and spacing of escape hatches on buses of Classes A and B to address limitations for shorter vehicles.

“Arrêté du 6 mai 2019 définissant les conditions d’homologation, d’exploitation et de circulation des navettes urbaines”

Presentation on the status of the informal working group on bus management of fire events (BMFE).

Presentation on new national legislation that defines a new vehicle category, “urban shuttle”. The legislation skirts the current M category definitions by defining an urban shuttle as having a total capacity to carry between nine and 16 passengers plus a driver with seating for 4-5 passengers. As such, France intends to propose national type approvals for such vehicles with a view to address driverless versions in future legislation.

Proposal to require measure(s) to prevent a bus or coach from moving while a lift or ramp is not in its stowed position.

Proposal to lower the minimum mass requirement for an articulated vehicle of Class I having four or more axles of which two are steering axles.

Proposal to lower the minimum mass requirement for an articulated vehicle of Class I having four or more axles of which two are steering axles.

Proposal to lower the minimum mass requirement for an articulated vehicle of Class I having four or more axles of which two are steering axles.

For escape hatches on buses of Classes A and B, proposal to allow a maximum length of 1600 mm equally spaced to cover the shortest vehicles, so the allowed space should be the maximum of either the third of the length or 1600 mm. This proposal will not affect the positioning requirements for any mid-sized and larger buses.

Revised document following discussion during the 7th BMFE informal group session.

Comparison table following the 7th BMFE informal group session.

Proposal to refine the provisions on the number and position of emergency exits of vehicles of Classes A and B. The transition from 05-series to 06-series of amendments is based on the final proposal of the Informal Group for Service Doors, Windows, and Emergency Exits (SDWEE) adopted by GRSG as document GRSG/2012/15. One of the consequences of the new wording is that, if one escape hatch is fitted, it must be positioned in the middle third of the passenger compartment. For Class A and B vehicles with sometimes short passenger compartments (< 3 m), this can be problematic because the middle third position can overlap with the position of the service door, close to which lateral roof reinforcements are necessary to provide structural stability and meet provisions of UN R66. Given that the exact position on shorter vehicles is of lower relevance than for long compartments, this proposal would provide latitude on the exact placement for Class A and B vehicles.

Status report of the BMFE informal working group.

Research article reporting on tests conducted under funding from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The full‐scale fire experiments were conducted at the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to investigate tire fire interactions with the passenger compartment of a motorcoach.

Proposal to allow options for emergency exists of Class B vehicles with internal volume less than 25m³.

Proposal to lower the minimum mass requirement for an articulated vehicle of Class I having four or more axles of which two are steering axles. Manufacturers of double-articulated vehicles with four or more axles face serious difficulties in fulfilling the requirement for the front steering axle where “the mass corresponding to the load on the front axle or group of axles shall not be less than the percentage of the mass of the vehicle” according to a table in the regulation.