Proposal to insert a definition of Observer Rating of Drowsiness (ORD) as a methodology for assessing driver drowsiness, amend paragraphs 5.5.2. and 5.5.2.1. to establish drowsiness warning thresholds using both the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale and ORD, amend Annex 4 to include ORD validation requirements including assessor training with minimum concordance rate of 0.70, rating procedures with at least 2 assessors, measurement intervals of 5 minutes or less, video quality standards, and calculation of final ratings as averages of assessors’ ratings, amend paragraph 6.3.1. to permit alternative measurement methods including sleep video analysis by at least 3 sleep experts, amend paragraph 6.3.2. to require evidence of validity and equivalence to KSS levels, delete former paragraph 6.3.2.1., amend paragraph 6.4.1. to permit complementary measurements, and amend paragraphs 7, 7.1., 7.2., and 8.1. to establish equivalence requirements between alternative measurements and KSS or ORD thresholds.

Proposal to add Observer Rating of Drowsiness (ORD) as a primary drowsiness assessment method alongside the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) for the Driver Drowsiness Alarm Warning (DDAW) system. The proposal modifies warning thresholds to reference ORD level [D4], updates validation testing requirements in Annex 4 to include ORD assessment procedures with specified assessor training and concordance rate standards, and establishes measurement intervals of 5 minutes or less. Japan is conducting a driving simulator study to validate appropriate ORD warning thresholds for submission after the October 2026 session.

Proposal to:

• Add microsleep detection capability to DDAW systems,
• Require DDAW or equivalent monitoring when partial automation is active,
• Define broader driving conditions for effective operation including unmarked roads and direct lighting,
• Establish DDAW functionality under driver occlusions such as sunglasses,
• Set requirements for drowsiness warnings and acknowledgement by drivers,
• Enhance test methodology including continuation after first warning and demographic diversity,
• Establish mandatory drowsiness warning threshold at KSS level 8 with optional soft warnings at KSS levels 6–7,
• Introduce time-based penalties for delayed detection of drowsiness,
• Include specificity and positive predictive value as performance metrics.