Report of the Working Party on Noise from its February 2012 session.

Netherlands presentation to explain the background and rationale behind the working documents GRB/2012/02 and GRB/2012/03, respectively addressing the current status of decisions in GRB and proposals for further improvement (based on GRB and ISO work) to UN R51 on vehicle noise.

Proposal of transitional provisions for the 03 series of UN R51 on vehicle noise. Importantly, the proposal seeks to address the handling of transitions and extensions between the 02 and 03 series, perhaps offering a template for transitional provisions in general.

Updated JASIC presentation in support of Japanese positions for the 03 series of the UN regulation on vehicle noise (UN R51). The presentation addresses a three-stage, six-year transition to more stringent noise limitations and proposes additional vehicle subcategories.

Revised presentation by the China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC) on proposed new noise limit values.

CLEPA presentation on two alternatives for the application of “additional sound emission provisions” (ASEP) to replacement silencing systems.

Draft recommendations of the Informal Working Group on Quiet Road Transport Vehicles (QRTV) concerning the viability of “quiet vehicle” audible acoustic alerting systems, their acoustic parameters and the prospects for a harmonized global technical regulation.

Revised version of the scope, objectives, and procedures for the proposed working group on global noise standards for hybrid, electric, and similar “quiet vehicles”.

Japanese Ministry of the Environment presentation concerning the status of work on new motorcycle noise and tire rolling noise regulations.

Overview of European Commission program to rework the regulatory environmental and safety framework for L-category vehicles.

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.

CLEPA presentation of the results of its noise-emission tests on seven vehicles comparing original equipment and replacement (aftermarket) silencing systems (mufflers) under the “Additional Sound Emissions Provisions” test procedure.

JASIC presentation in support of Japanese positions for the 03 series of the UN regulation on vehicle noise (UN R51). The presentation addresses a three-stage, six-year transition to more stringent noise limitations and proposes additional vehicle subcategories.

This proposal would revise the transitional provisions of the proposed 03 series of amendments to Regulation No. 51 (see GRB/2012/2). OICA believes the preceding text may create problems in the granting or accepting of type approvals under the previous series.

European Commission presentation on plans for adopting new noise emissions test procedures, limit values, and minimum noise requirements for quiet vehicles.

Russia proposes changes to the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3) concerning specifications of category G for road tractors, formulation of requirements on noise; measurement of vehicle internal noise, and recommended permissible levels of vehicle internal noise.

Russia submitted this proposal to address concerns over uniformity in the concepts of
“vehicle type concerning noise”, terms “noise” and “sound” and a structure for presenting the provisions.

Presentation by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration on noise abatement activities of the Conference of European Directors of Roads.

Presentation by the China Automotive Technology and Research Center.

Proposal for changes to the definitions of vehicle type (adding tire dimensions), ‘pre-acceleration’, and reference points (para. 2.11) and to the Annex 10 test procedures for medium to heavy vehicles.

This revised proposal of UN R63 from the IMMA contains the assimilation of the original regulations and their amendments and updates to take into consideration the revision of the test methods in UN R41.

This revised proposal of UN R9 from the IMMA contains the assimilation of the original regulations and their amendments and updates to take into consideration the revision of the test methods in UN R41.

Version of the proposed 03 series of amendments to UN R51 that consolidates the latest changes agreed within GRB (GRB/2005/2/Rev.2, all “method B” amendments, including WP.29/2011/64, and the Additional Sound Emission Provisions (ASEP)).

Table offering the Japanese position on new limit values for 03 series of amendments to Regulation No.51. The limit values are based on the TNO assessment study and German proposal with sub-categories proposed by Japan based upon a database of noise levels of Japanese vehicles.

Version of the proposed 03 series of amendments to UN R51 based on GRB/2012/2 (consolidated version of the O3 series as agreed by GRB to date) but incorporating further improvements as proposed in GRB-54-05 and GRB-54-06 from the previous GRB session.