1. The Working Party on General Safety Provisions (GRSG) held its 125th session from 27 to 31 March 2023, hosted from Geneva. The meeting was chaired by Mr. A. Erario (Italy). Experts from the following countries participated in the work, following Rule 1 of the Rules of Procedure of the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/690/Rev.1): Canada, China, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Republic of Korea, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and United States of America. Experts from the European Commission participated. Experts from non-governmental organizations participated: European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA), Federation International de l’Automobile (FIA) Foundation for the Automobile and Society, International Motor Vehicle Inspection Committee (CITA), International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA) and International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA).

2. GRSG considered and adopted the agenda (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/1) proposed for the 125th session, the running order (GRSG-125-06) and the annotations (GRSG-125-19). Annex I of the session report lists the informal documents that were distributed during the session. Annex VI of the report lists the GRSG informal working groups (IWG).

GRSG-125-06 | GRSG-125: Running order of the agenda for the March 2023 session

GRSG-125-19 | GRSG-125: Updated agenda for the March 2023 session

GRSG/2023/1 | GRSG: Annotated provisional agenda for the 125th (March 2023) session

3. The expert from Germany, on behalf of the Chair of the IWG on Safer Transport of Children in Buses and Coaches (IWG-STCBC), introduced a presentation (GRSG-125-18) on the work progress of the IWG. He confirmed that the Working Party on Passive Safety (GRSP) would consider at its May 2023 session a proposal of new UN Regulation prepared by IWG-STCBC on existing systems used in passenger cars. He added that in the first phase of this UN Regulation, IWG favoured built-in Child Restraint Systems (CRS) and Enhanced CRS that were type approved according to UN Regulation No. 129 (ECRS). In the meantime, he confirmed that the second phase of the UN Regulation would entail CRS in combination with two-points safety belts. He added that two issues for GRSG should be considered by experts when adapting UN Regulation No. 107: a) bus seats equipped with built-in CRS to be approved according to the new UN Regulation and b) emergency windows adapted to children as bus users. He, therefore, stated that proposals were expected at future GRSG sessions on the above-mentioned issues, and he sought guidance from GRSG. The expert from Spain suggested that in the future buses would be designed to transport children and that the current mandate of the IWG is to adapt the current fleet of buses. The expert from the United Kingdom suggested that practicability of access of an emergency exit should be considered and in case of removable CRS, this should be dealt by the bus operator. GRSG noted that the mandate of IWG-STCBC would expire in March 2024. Therefore, it was recommended that IWG should start to revise the terms of reference (ToR) of the group to start Phase 2 of the IWG without discontinuation of its work. The expert from Germany stated that a ToR would probably be proposed for the GRSP May 2023 session for adoption, and would be sent to the GRSG October 2023 session for further adoption GRSG last. Finally, GRSG endorsed this approach.

GRSG-125-18 | Status report from the STCBC informal group

GRSG-125-31 | Paper: Passenger, Goods, and Agricultural Vehicle Safety-Effectiveness of Existing Measures and Ranking of Priorities in the UK

4. The Chair of GRSG reiterated his invitation to experts to report on the current activities related to the specifications of autonomous shuttles in an aim to review the applicability of existing requirements. The expert from the Netherlands suggested that in view of the on-going work of the Task Force on Automated Vehicles Regulatory Screening (TF AVRS) new categories of vehicles including autonomous shuttle could be considered by the TF. The GRSG Chair recommended that discussion on this issue be resumed under agenda item 14 (see paragraph 41).

5. The expert from Norway recalled to GRSG that informal document (GRSG-115-04), that had been presented at the October 2018 session of GRSG showed the issue of the lack of front protection for drivers and tourist guides in the event of a frontal collision. He reiterated his concerns by introducing GRSG-125-10. He showed statistical evidence that a considerable number of accidents involved buses wherein the drivers had been seriously injured or killed in head-on collisions in Norway. He announced that a national standard would enter into force in his country to deal this issue. The expert from Finland shared the concerns of the expert from Norway and suggested that the following UN Regulations could be addressed: Nos. 66 (Strength of superstructure), 93 (Underrun protections) and 29 (Cabs of commercial vehicles), in cooperation with GRSP. The expert from Germany recalled to GRSG the proposal of a new UN Regulation (based on UN Regulation No. 29) tabled by his delegation in 2007 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2007/33). He reminded GRSG that the proposal had not been supported by most experts because it was considered of little impact in improving road safety at that time. The expert from the Netherland expressed sympathy to this initiative. However, he stated that more statistical evidence should be provided and that such a topic should be dealt with in GRSP. The expert from United Kingdom shared a report completed in 2010, based on statistical data from his country for the years 2006–2008 on the safety priorities of commercial vehicle (GRSG-125-32). He also shared a study for an Enhanced Vehicle Safety (ESV) conference (GRSG-125-31) that provides further indicators for discussion on this subject. The expert from Norway added that this proposal would be addressed at GRSP at its May 2023 session. GRSG welcome the initiative of the expert from Norway and agreed to resume discussion on this subject at its October 2023 session, based on the follow-up of its experts and those of GRSP.

GRSG-115-04 | Front section collision protection on buses Discussion paper proposing an effort to develop safety requirements for the protection of the driver and tourist guide situation at the front of motor coaches.

GRSG-125-10 | Crash protection of buses in frontal collisions

GRSG-125-31 | Paper: Passenger, Goods, and Agricultural Vehicle Safety-Effectiveness of Existing Measures and Ranking of Priorities in the UK

GRSG-125-32 | Commercial Vehicle Safety Priorities-Ranking of future priorities in the UK

GRSG/2007/33 | Proposal for a new regulation for vehicles of category M3 with regard to the protection of the driver and crew member(s) seated alongside the driver in the case of a frontal collision

6. The expert from Spain introduced GRSG-125-29 on the accessibility issues of disabled people using public buses. The expert from the United Kingdom welcomed the presentation on a survey carried out in his country. He added that further information would be provided from public consultation. GRSG noted that the upcoming ESV conference in Yokohama, Japan would host a panel discussion on the protection and accessibility of disabled people in vehicle transportation. GRSG suggested to the experts from Japan and the United States of America that they provide feedback on the above-mentioned conference at the October 2023 session. At the same time, GRSG recommended its experts to share experiences of the national level on this subject and liaise with the expert from Spain.

GRSG-125-29 | UN R107: Bus and coach accessibility

7. GRSG noted that proposals had not been submitted for consideration.

8. GRSG noted a proposal from the expert of the Republic of Korea (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/7 and amendment GRSG-125-09) which aligns UN Regulation No. 43 to Amendment 3 of UN GTR No. 6 (ECE/TRANS/180/Add.6/Amend.3), and aims to exempt, in Zone I, a possible opaque obscuration in the test area on the windscreen. The expert from China introduced GRSG-125-13 correcting the above-mentioned proposal. GRSG adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/7, as amended by annex II to the session report. The secretariat was requested to submit the proposal as draft Supplement 11 to 01 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 43, for consideration and vote at the June 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1.

GRSG-125-09 | UN R43: Proposal for Supplement 11 to the 01 Series of Amendments Proposal to align UN R43 with provisions in GTR 6 concerning the exemption of possible opaque obscuration areas from Zone I of the test area on the windscreen of M₂, M₃ and N categories of vehicles. This proposal updates and supersedes document GRSG/2023/7.

GRSG-125-13 | UN R43: Proposal to amend document GRSG/2023/7 Proposal to correct a reference in the draft Supplement 11 to the 01 series of amendments to the “Test Area B defined in Annex 18”, which actually is meant to refer to Annex 21.

GRSG/2023/7 | UN R43: Proposal for Supplement 11 to the 01 Series of Amendments Proposal to align UN R43 with provisions in GTR 6 concerning the exemption of possible opaque obscuration areas from Zone I of the test area on the windscreen of M₂, M₃ and N categories of vehicles.

9. The expert from the European Commission (EC), on behalf of the IWG on Awareness of Vulnerable Road Users Proximity in low-speed manoeuvres (VRU-Proxi), informed GRSG on the work progress (GRSG-125-22). He added that the group would continue working on a proposal of amendments to UN Regulations Nos. 158 and 167 for further consideration at the October 2023 session of GRSG. Thus, he proposed a revision of the ToR of the group (GRSG-125-21). Finally, GRSG adopted the revised ToR as reproduced in annex III to the session report.

GRSG-125-21 | VRU-Proxi informal group: Proposal to amend the terms of reference

GRSG-125-22 | Status report of the VRU-Proxi informal group

10. The expert from OICA introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/9 which aims to introduce provisions adapted to centre-steered vehicles of categories M₂, M₃, N₂ and N₃. The expert from Germany raised a study reservation on the proposal and requested full feedback for the October 2023 session of GRSG. He suggested in the meantime to establish a TF to provide a thorough proposal of amendments to the UN Regulation at the next session of GRSG. The experts from France and the Netherlands supported the suggestion from the expert of Germany expressing the need of a thorough study of the magnification factors. Moreover, the expert from OICA introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/16 and amendment GRSG-125-03-Rev.1, on the provisions for exterior rear-view mirrors fixed to the protective housing. At the same time the expert from the Republic Korea introduced GRSG-125-24 that shows two different interpretations of the diameter of the sphere used for the impact test rig in UN Regulation No. 46, and compares it to similar headforms used in other UN Regulations and in UN GTR No. 9. The expert from Canada confirmed that in his national standard, the outer diameter was 165 mm. Finally, GRSG endorsed the establishment of a TF led by the expert from Germany with the expert from OICA for secretary tasks, and agreed on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/9, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/16, GRSG-125-03-Rev.1 and GRSG-125-24 as a basis for its work.

GRSG-125-03/Rev.1 | UN R46: Proposal supplementing document GRSG/2023/16 Proposal to add illustrations and editorial improvements to the original proposal in document GRSG/2023/16.

GRSG-125-24 | UN R46: Request for guidance on interpretation of test rig description provisions

GRSG/2023/16 | UN R46: Proposal for Supplement 1 to the 05 series of amendments Proposal to introduce provisions for exterior rearview mirrors fixed to the protective housing.

GRSG/2023/9 | UN R46: Proposal for Supplement 1 to the 05 series of amendments Proposal to<ol><li>Establish terms and definitions to enable differentiation of "centre-steer vehicles" and "side-steer vehicles" (paragraphs 12.7. to 12.9.), and</li><li>to ensure that the indirect vision provides the driver with adequate view in both vehicle designs.</li></ol>

11. Finally, the expert from OICA introduced GRSG-125-30, to clarify the provisions of the UN Regulation to allow foldable wings for camera monitoring systems (CMS). The experts from United Kingdom suggested that the proposal should clarify the deployment time of the CMS. GRSG agreed to resume discussion at its October 2023 session on a revised proposal submitted by the expert from OICA. GRSG also noted that if a new replacement proposal was not received by the secretariat, GRSG-125-30 should be confirmed for submission as an official document before the deadline.

GRSG-125-30 | UN R46: Proposal for Supplement 1 to the 05 series of amendments Proposal to clarify permissibility of folding camera-monitor systems, including conditions for warnings to driver.

12. The expert from EC on behalf of IWG VRU-Proxi, announced a new proposal replacing GRSG-125-20 for the October 2023 session of GRSG. It was also noted that if the replacement proposal was not received by the secretariat, GRSG-125-20 should be confirmed for submission as an official document before the deadline.

GRSG-125-20 | UN R158: Proposal for amendments Proposal from the VRU-Proxi informal group to amend provisions concerning “temporarily modified view” for “automatic change of view” and deletion of related provisions under "deactivation" in order to allow systems providing enhanced visibility during manoeuvres. Additional proposal to permit temporary obstruction of view subject to conditions.

13. GRSG noted that proposals had not been submitted for consideration.

14. GRSG noted that proposals had not been submitted for consideration under this agenda item.

15. The expert from EC on behalf of IWG VRU-Proxi, withdrew ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/10 and announced a new proposal for the October 2023 session of GRSG.

GRSG/2023/10 | UN R167: Proposal for Supplement 1 Proposal from the VRU-Proxi informal group to introduce an alternative method for assessment of the frontal visible volume to address future cab designs with narrower distances between A pillars. The current measurement method is dependent on the position of the A pillar. The alternative method is independent of the cab design and would be available for use at the manufacturer's discretion.

16. GRSG noted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/2, tabled by the expert from the Russian Federation. The expert from Japan did not support the proposal because of lack of consistency with the principle of mutual recognition of type approvals of the 1958 Agreement. For similar reasons, the proposal also did not receive the support of the experts from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom and EC. Finally, GRSG did not support the proposal. On suggestion of the GRSG Chair, it was agreed to resume consideration on a possible new proposal tabled by the expert from the Russian Federation and to remove this item from the agenda of the October 2023 session of GRSG.

GRSG/2023/2 | UN R66: Proposal for Supplement 1 to the 02 series of amendments Proposal to allow additional checks on passive safety at the national level when conducting tests of a complete vehicle (such as checking for damage to seat mounts, objects presenting injury risks in the residual space, and operability of hatches).

17. GRSG noted that proposals had not been submitted for consideration under this agenda item.

18. GRSG resumed consideration on GRSG-124-32, tabled by European Natural Gas Vehicle Association to accept the type approvals according to the preceding series when not affected by the provisions of the new series of amendments. GRSG reconfirmed its endorsement of the proposal without any change (see ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/103, paragraph 21). The secretariat was requested to submit GRSG-124-32 (as reproduced in annex II of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/103) as draft Supplement 4 to the 04 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 110, for consideration and vote at the June 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1.

GRSG-124-32 | UN R110: Proposal for Supplement 4 to the 04 Series of Amendments Proposal e to introduce a missing transitional provision to 04 series to cover the acceptance of type approvals according to the preceding series when not affected by the provisions of the new series.

19. GRSG noted that proposals had not been submitted for consideration.

20. The expert from OICA introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/3 to align the reference to UN Regulation No. 10 (Electromagnetic compatibility). GRSG adopted the proposal not amended and requested the secretariat to submit ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/3 as Supplement 4 to the original version of the UN Regulation No. 161, for consideration and vote at the November 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1.

GRSG/2023/3 | UN R161: Proposal for Supplement 4 Proposal to align the reference to UN R10 (electromagnetic compatibility) resulting from the split of UN R116 into three regulations with the current series.

21. As per agenda item 7(b), the expert from OICA introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/4 to align the reference to UN Regulation No. 10. Moreover, the expert from France introduced GRSG-125-12, to introduce an editorial correction to the UN Regulation. GRSG agreed to adopt both proposals as a full package. The secretariat was requested to submit ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2023/4, as amended below, as Supplement 5 to the original version of the UN Regulation No. 162, for consideration and vote at the November 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1:

Annex 2a, amend to read:
" … of a type of vehicle with regard to its immobilizer pursuant to UN Regulation No. 162 …"

Annex 2b, amend to read:
“… of a type of component or separate technical unit as an immobilizer pursuant to UN Regulation No. 162 …”

GRSG-125-12 | UN R162: Proposal for amendments Proposal for editorial corrections to Annexes 2a and 2b.

GRSG/2023/4 | UN R162: Proposal for Supplement 5 Proposal to align the three UN Regulations resulting from the split of UN R116 with regard to their references to UN R10 on electromagnetic compatibility.

22. GRSG noted that proposals had not been submitted for consideration under this agenda item.

23. The expert from the Republic of Korea presented ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/8 and amendment GRSG-125-15 in a live presentation at Palais des Nations on examples of “radiation warmers” to allow their use on Electric Vehicles (EV) among others. He also introduced two presentations (GRSG-125-16 and GRSG-125-17) to inform GRSG about a technical seminar held on 8 March 2023, in Frankfurt, Germany on the medical investigation of radiant warmers. He added that the technology of radiation warmers was expected to increase the energy efficiency of EV and to prevent the sharp reduction of the All Electric Range (AER). The expert from OICA introduced GRSG-125-33-Rev.4, aimed at resolving harmonization issues introduced by GRSG-125-15. He also explained that industry needed flexibility and no design restrictions, since objective pass/fail criteria did not exist for such technology. The expert from France suggested that the temperature threshold for rear passengers should be reviewed and modified in a second step. The expert from Germany echoed the suggestion of the expert from France and envisaged a new series of amendments for a second step.

24. Finally, GRSG adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/8 as amended by annex IV to the session report. The secretariat was requested to submit the proposal as Supplement 7 to the original version to the UN Regulation No. 122 to the November 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1. Moreover, GRSG agreed to resume discussion on the need for a second step on this subject at its October 2023 session.

GRSG-125-15 | UN R122: Proposal to amend document GRSG/2023/8 Proposal to amend the draft text to introduce provisions for radiant warmers into the regulation.

GRSG-125-16 | Summary report of the technical seminar on radiant warmers

GRSG-125-17 | Investigation of threshold to prevent burns from textile surface of radiant warmers

GRSG-125-33/Rev.4 | UN R122: Proposal for amendments to documents GRSG/2023/8 and GRSG-125-15

GRSG/2023/8 | UN R122: Proposal for Supplement 7 Proposal to align UN R122 to technological progress concerning the use of radiation warmers in electric vehicles. The radiation warmer is expected to increase energy efficiency of EV and is also able to prevent the sharp reduction of All Electric Range (AER).

25. The expert from the Netherlands on behalf of IWG on Field of Vision Assistant (FVA) of Drivers, introduced the IWG status report (GRSG-125-27-Rev.1) and requested an extension of the IWG mandate. He also introduced a draft new UN Regulation on FVA (GRSG-125-28) for all vehicle categories in the frame of the process of splitting UN Regulation No. 125 into two separate UN Regulations. He also explained that the new UN Regulation would aim to limit distraction of the driver. The experts from Finland, France, Germany and Sweden endorsed the cautious approach on “non-driving related information”.

26. GRSG recommended that the opinion of experts and relevant inputs concerning GRSG-125-28 be submitted to the next IWG meetings planned for 25 April and 6 June 2023 (the June meeting is to be held in person). Finally, GRSG agreed on an extension of the IWG mandate until April 2024, pending endorsement of WP.29 at its June 2023 session.

GRSG-125-27/Rev.1 | Status report from the FVA informal group

GRSG-125-28 | FVA: Draft proposal for a new UN Regulation Draft proposal from the FVA informal group for a new UN Regulation on uniform technical provisions concerning the approval of a vehicle with regard to its Field of Vision Assistant (FVA).

27. The expert from the Netherlands on behalf of the IWG on Event Data Recorder (EDR) / Data Storage system for Automated Driving Vehicles (DSSAD) introduced the status report (GRSG-125-25) of the group. He informed GRSG that the IWG had completed the light duty vehicle EDR performance elements appropriate for adoption in the 1958 and 1998 Agreement Resolutions or UN Regulations, completed UN Regulation No. 160 accordingly and DSSAD requirements within UN Regulation No. 157 (Automated Lane Keeping System). He also announced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/11, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/12 and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/15 on the acceleration data accuracy verification procedures. Moreover, he explained that the IWG had developed proposals on EDR for Heavy Duty Vehicles (HDV), as a: (a) new UN Regulation (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/13 amended by GRSG-125-07) and (b) a guidance document on EDR for HDV appropriate for adoption in 1958 and 1998 Agreement Resolutions or Regulations (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/14 amended by GRSG-125-08). He explained that the proposals were based on an existing Society of Automotive Engineers standard, data, analyses, research and contains unique triggering of acceleration, safety-systems and last stop.

28. Finally, GRSG agreed to combine ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/12, as amended below, and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2021/32 as amended by GRSG-122-35 and submit them as proposal for amending the Guidance on EDR Performance Elements to the November 2023 session of WP.29 for information only. Moreover, it was agreed to send ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/14 and GRSG-125-08 to the IWG for reconsideration.

Annex 1, Table 1, amend to read:

Longitudinal acceleration (post-crash)	If Recorded	0–250 ms or 0 to End of Event Time plus 30 ms, whichever is shorter.	500	-50 to 50g	/- 10%10	1g	Planar
Footnote 11, the reference to paragraph 6.1.5., correct as 4.1.5.

GRSG-122-35 | Guidance on Event Data Recorder (EDR): Proposal for amendments Proposal by IWG EDR/DSSAD to revise document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2021/32

GRSG-125-07 | Heavy vehicle EDR: Proposal to amend document GRSG/2023/13 Revisions from the EDR/DSSAD informal group to their proposal for a new UN Regulation on EDR for heavy vehicles.

GRSG-125-08 | Heavy vehicle EDR: Proposal to amend document GRSG/2023/14 Proposal from the EDR/DSSAD informal group to amend the text of their proposal for guidelines on EDR data elements for heavy vehicles.

GRSG-125-25 | EDR/DSSAD informal group status report to GRSG

GRSG/2021/32 | Guidance on EDR performance elements: Proposal for amendment

GRSG/2023/11 | UN R160: Proposal for Supplement 2 Proposal from the EDR/DSSAD informal group to revise and clarify the acceleration data accuracy for the lateral and longitudinal acceleration data elements and introduce procedures to verify compliance of the acceleration data with the acceleration sensor accuracy specifications. The proposal is based on the following considerations:<ol><li>There are multiple ways in which the acceleration data accuracy tolerance can be applied. This can potentially lead to different interpretations when applied by type-approval authorities. For clarity, the accuracy tolerance is specified as "+/- 10 per cent of the full range of the accelerometer used in the ECU containing the EDR function".</li><li>The proposal enables a component test (including a time-shifting algorithm to address differences in sampling rates between an EDR and bench test) to address difficulties in verifying acceleration sensor accuracy under vehicle crash tests.</li><li>The proposal adds a footnote to clarify that the manufacturer has discretion (option) over the format for lateral acceleration data in rollover event because such data is not recorded using the lateral airbag deployment sensors.</li><li>The proposal adds Annex 6 on the verification procedure with an illustration of the tolerance corridor for lateral and longitudinal acceleration.</li></ol>

GRSG/2023/12 | EDR guidance: Proposal for amendments Proposal from the EDR/DSSAD informal group to revise and clarify the acceleration data accuracy for the lateral and longitudinal acceleration data elements and introduce procedures to verify compliance of the acceleration data with the acceleration sensor accuracy specifications. The proposal is based on the following considerations:<ol><li>There are multiple ways in which the acceleration data accuracy tolerance can be applied. This can potentially lead to different interpretations when applied by type-approval authorities. For clarity, the accuracy tolerance is specified as "+/- 10 per cent of the full range of the accelerometer used in the ECU containing the EDR function".</li><li>The proposal enables a component test (including a time-shifting algorithm to address differences in sampling rates between an EDR and bench test) to address difficulties in verifying acceleration sensor accuracy under vehicle crash tests.</li><li>The proposal adds a footnote to clarify that the manufacturer has discretion (option) over the format for lateral acceleration data in rollover event because such data is not recorded using the lateral airbag deployment sensors.</li><li>The proposal adds Annex 6 on the verification procedure with an illustration of the tolerance corridor for lateral and longitudinal acceleration.</li></ol>

GRSG/2023/13 | EDR for heavy vehicles: Proposal for a new UN Regulation <ol><li>Proposal from the EDR/DSSAD informal group to enable the type approval of medium and heavy vehicles with regard to the minimum collection, storage, and crash survivability of crash-event data of their event data recorders. The performance elements do not include specifications for data retrieval tools and methods which are subject to national or regional requirements.</li><li>The purpose of these performance elements is to ensure that EDR record, in a readily usable manner, data valuable for effective crash investigations and for analysis of safety equipment performance. These data elements aim to improve understanding of the circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur and facilitate the development of safer vehicle designs. In this context, crashes should be understood as involving property damage and/or personal harm, including that of vulnerable road users involved in the events.</li><li>Contracting Parties may but are not required to make EDR requirements mandatory for M₂, M₃, N₂ and N₃ vehicles.</li></ol>

GRSG/2023/14 | EDR for heavy vehicles: Proposal for guidance under the 1998 Agreement <ol><li>Proposal from the EDR/DSSAD informal group to provide guidance on specification for EDR used in medium and heavy vehicles with regard to the minimum collection, storage, and crash survivability of crash-event data. The performance elements do not include specifications for data retrieval tools and methods which are subject to national or regional requirements.</li><li>The purpose of these performance elements is to ensure that EDR record, in a readily usable manner, data valuable for effective crash investigations and for analysis of safety equipment performance. These data elements aim to improve understanding of the circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur and facilitate the development of safer vehicle designs. In this context, crashes should be understood as involving property damage and/or personal harm, including that of vulnerable road users involved in the events.</li><li>Contracting Parties may but are not required to make EDR requirements mandatory for M₂, M₃, N₂ and N₃ vehicles.</li></ol>

GRSG/2023/15 | UN R160: Proposal for Supplement 2 to the 01 series of amendments Proposal from the EDR/DSSAD informal group to revise and clarify the acceleration data accuracy for the lateral and longitudinal acceleration data elements and introduce procedures to verify compliance of the acceleration data with the acceleration sensor accuracy specifications. The proposal is based on the following considerations:<ol><li>There are multiple ways in which the acceleration data accuracy tolerance can be applied. This can potentially lead to different interpretations when applied by type-approval authorities. For clarity, the accuracy tolerance is specified as "+/- 10 per cent of the full range of the accelerometer used in the ECU containing the EDR function".</li><li>The proposal enables a component test (including a time-shifting algorithm to address differences in sampling rates between an EDR and bench test) to address difficulties in verifying acceleration sensor accuracy under vehicle crash tests.</li><li>The proposal adds a footnote to clarify that the manufacturer has discretion (option) over the format for lateral acceleration data in rollover event because such data is not recorded using the lateral airbag deployment sensors.</li><li>The proposal adds Annex 6 on the verification procedure with an illustration of the tolerance corridor for lateral and longitudinal acceleration.</li></ol>

29. Finally, GRSG considered a presentation (GRSG-125-14) from the expert of China that provides information on the introduction of the EDR technology into the legislation of his country. The GRSG Chair suggested that GRSG-125-14 could be considered in the future work of the IWG. The expert from EC underlined that the document would be useful for the step 2 of EDR development but not for the current one since discussion was too much advanced. The expert from the United States of America remarked that EDR shall remain focused on crash related events and not as a data logger for non-crash elements/events.

GRSG-125-14 | China: Introduction of the EDR technology and regulations

30. The expert from Netherlands on behalf of IWG on EDR/DSSAD introduced two proposals for supplements to the UN Regulation (see paragraph 27 above): ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/11 as amended by GRSG-125-01-Rev.1 and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/15 as amended by GRSG-125-04-Rev.1, both from the expert from OICA. The expert from OICA also introduced a proposal of 02 series of amendments (GRSG-125-02-Rev.2) to the UN Regulation. GRSG adopted all the proposals and requested the secretariat to submit: (a) ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/11 amended by annex V to the session report, as a proposal of Supplement 2 to the original version to the UN Regulation, (b) ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/15 as amended by annex V, as proposal of Supplement 2 to the 01 series of amendments to the UN Regulation No. 160 and (c) GRSG-125-02-Rev.2, as reproduced in annex V, as a proposal of 02 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 160 to the November 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1.

GRSG-125-01/Rev.1 | UN R160: Proposal for amendments to document GRSG/2023/11 Proposal to remove provisions for the verification of the acceleration data accuracy that require lead time for implementation. Specifically, lateral acceleration in rollover events are not recorded using the same sensors as used for lateral air bag deployments. A separate document proposes to include these verification procedures via a new series of amendments rather than as a supplement.

GRSG-125-01/Rev.1 | UN R160: Proposal for amendments to document GRSG/2023/11 Proposal to remove provisions for the verification of the acceleration data accuracy that require lead time for implementation. Specifically, lateral acceleration in rollover events are not recorded using the same sensors as used for lateral air bag deployments. A separate document proposes to include these verification procedures via a new series of amendments rather than as a supplement.

GRSG-125-02/Rev.2 | UN R160: Proposal for a new 02 series of amendments Proposal to introduce a new component-level verification procedure for acceleration sensor accuracy with a two-year transitional period to allow for implementation.

GRSG-125-04/Rev.1 | UN R160: Proposal for amendments to document GRSG/2023/15 Proposal to remove provisions for the verification of the acceleration data accuracy that require lead time for implementation. Specifically, lateral acceleration in rollover events are not recorded using the same sensors as used for lateral air bag deployments. A separate document proposes to include these verification procedures via a new series of amendments rather than as a supplement.

GRSG/2023/11 | UN R160: Proposal for Supplement 2 Proposal from the EDR/DSSAD informal group to revise and clarify the acceleration data accuracy for the lateral and longitudinal acceleration data elements and introduce procedures to verify compliance of the acceleration data with the acceleration sensor accuracy specifications. The proposal is based on the following considerations:<ol><li>There are multiple ways in which the acceleration data accuracy tolerance can be applied. This can potentially lead to different interpretations when applied by type-approval authorities. For clarity, the accuracy tolerance is specified as "+/- 10 per cent of the full range of the accelerometer used in the ECU containing the EDR function".</li><li>The proposal enables a component test (including a time-shifting algorithm to address differences in sampling rates between an EDR and bench test) to address difficulties in verifying acceleration sensor accuracy under vehicle crash tests.</li><li>The proposal adds a footnote to clarify that the manufacturer has discretion (option) over the format for lateral acceleration data in rollover event because such data is not recorded using the lateral airbag deployment sensors.</li><li>The proposal adds Annex 6 on the verification procedure with an illustration of the tolerance corridor for lateral and longitudinal acceleration.</li></ol>

GRSG/2023/15 | UN R160: Proposal for Supplement 2 to the 01 series of amendments Proposal from the EDR/DSSAD informal group to revise and clarify the acceleration data accuracy for the lateral and longitudinal acceleration data elements and introduce procedures to verify compliance of the acceleration data with the acceleration sensor accuracy specifications. The proposal is based on the following considerations:<ol><li>There are multiple ways in which the acceleration data accuracy tolerance can be applied. This can potentially lead to different interpretations when applied by type-approval authorities. For clarity, the accuracy tolerance is specified as "+/- 10 per cent of the full range of the accelerometer used in the ECU containing the EDR function".</li><li>The proposal enables a component test (including a time-shifting algorithm to address differences in sampling rates between an EDR and bench test) to address difficulties in verifying acceleration sensor accuracy under vehicle crash tests.</li><li>The proposal adds a footnote to clarify that the manufacturer has discretion (option) over the format for lateral acceleration data in rollover event because such data is not recorded using the lateral airbag deployment sensors.</li><li>The proposal adds Annex 6 on the verification procedure with an illustration of the tolerance corridor for lateral and longitudinal acceleration.</li></ol>

31. The expert from the Netherlands on behalf of the IWG on EDR/DSSAD introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/13, amended by GRSG-125-07, as a proposal for new UN Regulation on EDR for HDV.

32. The expert from Germany introduced GRSG-125-26 and shared views based upon data from the Federal Statistical Office of his country which showed that a significant proportion of accidents involving HDVs and VRUs occurred in the speed range below 50 km/h. Therefore, he suggested that improvements in road safety could be achieved if road accidents involving VRUs were better understood. He underlined that suitable triggers had been developed in the IWG (e.g. “last-stop triggers”), but were not accepted by all contracting parties. He stated that data from EDR-HDV would form the basis for future traffic safety research, especially for the protection of VRUs. He therefore supported the draft proposal of a new UN Regulation on EDR including the “last-stop-trigger” provision. The expert from EC supported the adoption of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/13, as amended by GRSG-125-07 including the above-mentioned provision as suggested by the expert from Germany.

33. The expert from the United States of America stated that her country had been an active member of IWG EDR at the technical level. She added that the group had been working hard to produce these documents (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/13 and GRSG-125-07) under demanding timelines. She added that despite these efforts, and as indicated by the large amount of text between brackets in the EDR-HDV documents, much more work is required at the technical level. Moreover, she stated that the United States of America did not support the incomplete proposal (in the framework of the 1958 Agreement) moving forward until the IWG finished its work. She also said that her delegation does not consider these documents technically ready for review by GRSG. She underlined that there would be also many technical concerns and issues to discuss when IWG considered the common technical requirements document. Finally, she stated that her country is not a signatory to the 1958 Agreement, but due to the global nature of the automotive industry, her delegation knows that UN Regulations would still impact vehicle safety in 1998 Agreement countries, and she respectfully requested that GRSG sends these documents back to the IWG on EDR/DSSAD for more technical review.

34. The expert from OICA stated that the proposal contained open questions on data elements. He stressed the need of the automotive industry to have a clear vision for the future, and he stated that his organization was not in the position to support the proposal. The experts from Canada and the Netherlands recommended that IWG finalize the work on the remaining issues. The expert from EC expressed the need to adopt the new UN Regulation at the November 2023 session of WP.29 to trigger the same mandatory provisions under the General Safety Regulation of the European Union. He reminded GRSG that this need had been taken into consideration by WP.29, and that GRSG was invited by the World Forum to maintain a high pace on this issue (see ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1168, paragraph 39). The experts from China and Japan supported the position of the expert from EC. The Chair of GRSG suggested adopting ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/13, amended by GRSG-125-07 to make progress. At the same time, he recommended that IWG provide an informal or an official document for the deadline of submission of GRSG official documents (18 July 2023), to enable discussion at the October 2023 session of GRSG. The expert from OICA introduced a road map (GRSG-125-36-Rev.1) on the way forward to guide IWG towards finalization of the proposal.

35. Finally, GRSG agreed on the way forward proposed by the Chair and by the expert from OICA, though GRSG-125-36-Rev.1 was not considered binding. Therefore, GRSG adopted the proposal and requested the secretariat to submit ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/13, as amended by GRSG-125-07, as proposal of new UN Regulation concerning the Approval of Event Data Recorders for Heavy-Duty Vehicles to the November 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1. However, it was expected to resume discussion on this proposal based on revised documents submitted by IWG at the October 2023 session of GRSG.

GRSG-125-07 | Heavy vehicle EDR: Proposal to amend document GRSG/2023/13 Revisions from the EDR/DSSAD informal group to their proposal for a new UN Regulation on EDR for heavy vehicles.

GRSG-125-26 | Statement on EDR provisions for heavy-duty vehicles

GRSG-125-36/Rev.1 | Heavy-duty vehicle EDR: Timeline

GRSG/2023/13 | EDR for heavy vehicles: Proposal for a new UN Regulation <ol><li>Proposal from the EDR/DSSAD informal group to enable the type approval of medium and heavy vehicles with regard to the minimum collection, storage, and crash survivability of crash-event data of their event data recorders. The performance elements do not include specifications for data retrieval tools and methods which are subject to national or regional requirements.</li><li>The purpose of these performance elements is to ensure that EDR record, in a readily usable manner, data valuable for effective crash investigations and for analysis of safety equipment performance. These data elements aim to improve understanding of the circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur and facilitate the development of safer vehicle designs. In this context, crashes should be understood as involving property damage and/or personal harm, including that of vulnerable road users involved in the events.</li><li>Contracting Parties may but are not required to make EDR requirements mandatory for M₂, M₃, N₂ and N₃ vehicles.</li></ol>

36. GRSG recalled that its experts were invited to provide further comments and indications on which UN Regulations would not be affected by Unique Identifier (UI). GRSG also noted that it was expected to complete the tentative list provided in GRSG-124-21 distributed at its October 2022 session (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/103, paragraph 31).

37. The expert from the Netherlands, secretary of IWG DETA, clarified that the unique identifier is a number generated by the DETA database, and allocated to a type approval when uploaded to the database. He added that the UI number may also be used by the manufacturer as product marking, and that the traditional E marking may be replaced by this UI mark. However, he clarified that some UN Regulations required additional marking information. He added that when traditional marking was replaced by UI marking, this additional marking would be potentially removed. However, he noted that this information could be needed for surveillance or periodical technical inspections (PTI) purposes. Accordingly, WP.29 agreed to request its subsidiary bodies to screen all UN Regulations to find if the E marking could be replaced by the UI marking. If any UN Regulation allows replacement, he informed GRSG that WP.29 had proposed a template (WP.29-188-20) to indicate which additional marking information shall remain on the product. He also underlined that UI marking was primarily of benefit for automotive component industry (large markings on small components) while for contracting parties no benefit was provided.

38. The expert from CITA introduced GRSG-125-35 (based on WP.29-188-20) listing all UN Regulations under the purview of GRSG providing information that his organization deems relevant. The expert from OICA argued that the document diverted from the general use of UI as agreed by WP.29: (a) UI shall be applied by default, only exceptions may prohibit it, (b) from UI, PTI can retrieve all the necessary information and (c) some markings were too large on safety glazing thereby compromising light transmittance requirements. The expert from CITA mentioned that E marking provided instant information while UI was time consuming and added extra costs to PTI. He argued that glazing is large enough to host E markings and should be checked frequently because of frequent replacement. Therefore, even in this case he saw the UI solution as time and resource consuming. The expert from the Netherlands suggested that concerned parties had learned much about the use of UI since its establishment by way of the Revision 3 of the 1958 Agreement. Moreover, he suggested that the complexity introduced by UI led to rethinking its use. The expert from the United Kingdom suggested that GRSG-125-35 was a useful document. However, he insisted that this screening needed a coordinated and consistent position and use throughout all the subsidiary bodies of WP.29. The expert from Germany expressed sympathy for GRSG-125-35, however he requested a time reservation. The Chair of GRSG stated that he would inform WP.29 that GRSG-125-35 represented the opinion of the expert from CITA and that GRSG retains a further revision of GRSG-125-35. GRSG agreed with the suggestion of its Chair, to resume discussion at its October 2023 session and to keep GRSG-125-35 as an informal document.

GRSG-124-21 | DETA: Assessment of Regulations with regard to the Unique Identifier

GRSG-125-35 | 1958 Agreement - Unique Identifier Proposed actions for the IWG on DETA, GRs and WP.29

WP.29-188-20 | 1958 Agreement: Unique Identifier - Proposed actions for the DETA informal group, GR working parties, and WP.29 Note from the WP.29 secretariat

39. GRSG agreed to defer discussion on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/5, tabled by the expert from the International Association of the Body and Trailer Building Industry (CLCCR) to its October 2023 session.

GRSG/2023/5 | RE3: Proposal for Amendments to the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles Proposal to amend definitions in RE.3 taking into account new technical developments for heavy duty vehicles and battery electric cars.

40. GRSG agreed to defer discussion on the amendment to S.R.1 based on a revised proposal superseding ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2022/18. In the meantime, it was agreed that the revised proposal would need to be sponsored by a contracting party to the 1998 Agreement.

GRSG/2022/18 | SR1: Proposal for Amendments to amend the Special Resolution No. 1 concerning the common definitions of vehicle categories, masses and dimensions (S.R.1).

41. The expert from the Netherlands, on behalf of TF-AVRS introduced the status report (GRSG-125-34-Rev.1). He stated that screening had been finalized and that the next step of GRSG should reword, for instance references to “driver”, “steering wheel”, etc.. He added that some functions, e.g. tell-tales, and some situations like the transport of children on buses without a driver would need discussion in WP.29. The expert from the United Kingdom suggested that GRSG should recognize which AV solutions were appropriate according to vehicle use and reflect this the in technical requirements, e.g. transport of children and disabled people). The expert from OICA suggested that vehicle use was in the remit of the Global Forum for Road Traffic Safety (WP.1). He added that a document on establishing new category of vehicles concerning AV was not yet mature. The Chair of GRSG suggested that the next step to establish new category of vehicles should include autonomous shuttles. The secretary of the Working Group on Automated/Autonomous and Connected Vehicles (GRVA) announced that GRVA was ready to cooperate with GRSG on new categories of vehicles. The expert from IMMA stated that two-wheelers (L category) should be excluded from the exercise of vehicle re-classification since these vehicles would never be AV. Moreover, he also recommended to isolate quadricycles (L6 and L7 categories) from this exercise until further information was provided.

42. GRSG considered the work of TF-AVRS to be final, and agreed that the coordinated conclusions of TF-AVRS in each Working Party be provided to the June 2023 session of WP.29.

GRSG-125-34/Rev.1 | AVRS task force: Status report to GRSG

43. GRSG agreed to defer discussion on this agenda item at the October 2023 session of GRSG.

44. GRSG noted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/6, submitted by the expert from the Russian Federation on behalf of the IWG on Periodical Technical Inspections (PTI) to introduce periodical technical inspections of Accident Emergency Call Systems (AECS), intended to be fitted to vehicles of categories M1 and N1 under UN Regulation No. 144. The proposal received the comments and amendments as reproduced below:
Annex, amend to read:

“Annex

			Mi D	Ma D	DD
1. Fitment and configuration	Visual inspection	(a) System or any component missing		X
2. Condition	Visual inspection	(b) System or components damaged	X
		(c) AECS malfunction indicator light indicates any kind of failure of the system	X
		(d) Audio components not connected	X
		(e) System indicates failure via the electronic vehicle interface	X
		(f) Audio components not connected

45. GRSG agreed that the IWG on PTI should study ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG2023/6 as amended above and to resume discussion based on the IWG feedback at the October 2023 session of GRSG.

GRSG/2023/6 | AECS PTI: Proposal for a new Rule (1997 Agreement)

46. The Secretary reported on the highlights (GRSG-125-11) of the 188th (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1168) and of the 189th (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1171) sessions of the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations.

GRSG-125-11 | GRSG: Highlights from the November 2022 and March 2023 WP.29 session

47. The expert from the Netherlands informed GRSG that a TF (with the participation of experts of GRSP) was established and convened three times. He highlighted that the problem of tolerances on the dimensions on the different machines used was relevant. He added that as a first step, TF intended to amend the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3). GRSG agreed to resume discussion at its October 2023 session in coordination with GRSP.

49. The expert from the Netherlands introduced GRSG-125-05 on odometer in vehicles. He underlined that the odometer readings were relevant for many applications, such as roadworthiness, environmental performances of the vehicles and current and future domestic applications. Therefore, he proposed establishing a TF to discuss potential measures for accuracy and anti-tampering of odometer/mileage values. He also clarified that this work would entail only M1 and N1 vehicle categories. The expert from IMMA requested the exemption of the L category of vehicle from this work for the time being. GRSG agreed to establish a TF on this subject, and requested the expert from the Netherlands to draft ToR for the proposed TF and the secretariat to provide a webpage. At the same time, it was agreed to resume discussion on this subject at the October 2023 session of GRSG.

GRSG-125-05 | UN R39: Proposal for provisions on accuracy and anti-tampering for mileage and odometers Proposal to consider exploring possibilities for ensuring reliable and robust mileage values as generated by and stored in vehicles (and/or elsewhere).

48. The expert from Japan introduced GRSG-125-23, to collect information at the national level on the use of windscreen with coloured tint. He expressed the concern that the use of this type of windscreen entails safety issues. The expert from Germany remarked that national law in his country forbids this type of windscreen. The experts from Canada and Spain confirmed the same restrictions in their countries with exceptions if justified at the medical level in Spain. GRSG agreed to resume discussion on this subject at its October 2023 session if needed.

GRSG-125-23 | Request for comments on windscreen tints

50. GRSG noted that its 126th session was scheduled to be held in Geneva from 10 October (9.30 a.m. CET) to 13 October (12.30 p.m.) 2023. GRSG noted that the deadline for the submission of official documents to the secretariat is 18 July 2023, twelve weeks prior to the session. GRSG is expected to follow a proposal (GRSG-125-37) of the provisional agenda.

GRSG-125-37 | Provisional agenda for the 126th (October 2023) session