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Working Party on Noise | Session 63 | 16-18 Feb 2016
Geneva
(Latest 16 March 2016)
| Agenda | Formal | Informal |
Attendance

1. The Working Party on Noise (GRB) held its sixty-third session from 16 to 18 February 2016 in Geneva. The meeting was chaired by Mr. S. Ficheux (France). Experts from the following countries participated in the work following Rule 1(a) of the Rules of Procedure of the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) (TRANS/WP.29/690, Amend. 1 and Amend. 2): Austria; Belgium; China; France; Germany; Hungary; India; Italy; Japan; Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Russian Federation; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America. Experts from the European Commission (EC) participated. Experts from the following non-governmental organizations also participated: European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA); European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation (ETRTO); International Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences, Inc. (CAETS); International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA); International Motorcycling Federation (FIM); International Organization for Standardization (ISO); International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA) and World Blind Union (WBU).

1. Adoption of the agenda

2. GRB considered and adopted the agenda.

GRB/2016/1 | Annotated provisional agenda for the 63rd GRB session
2. Regulation No. 28 (Audible warning devices)

3. The expert from the Russian Federation introduced a revised proposal for amendments to Regulation No. 28 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2016/2, GRB-63-01 and GRB-63-04). The proposal received comments from the experts of China, France and IMMA (GRB-63-17, GRB-63-16 and GRB-63-15, respectively). The experts from Japan and Spain indicated that they would need more time to study the proposal and its consequences and requested that its adoption be postponed to the next session. GRB invited all experts to transmit their comments, before the end of March 2016, to the expert from the Russian Federation who would update the proposal for consideration at the next session.

GRB-63-01 | Proposal for Supplement 5 to Regulation No. 28 Further refined version of the proposal (incorporating comments received during the 62nd GRB session) in document GRB/2016/2 intended to update and clarify the regulation. The proposal refines definitions, removes the “AWD” abbeviation for “audible warning device” to avoid confusion with its more common use for “all wheel drive”, adds T category agricultural vehicles to the scope, modifies some administrative communications, and proposes three-direction acoustic measurements. The proposal also aims to structure the regulation to enable its application to additional sound warning devices not presently regulated at the international level, excluding acoustic vehicle alerting systems (AVAS) which will be subject to a separate regulation on minimum vehicle sound levels.
GRB-63-04 | Proposal for correction to ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2016/2 This proposal was made after consultations with OICA in order to provide for consistency in terminology used and to match the drawing in Annex 4 with the modified provisions. The added word “warning“ is underlined.
GRB-63-15 | Proposal for amendments to ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2016/2 Proposals to modify the draft Supplement 5 to UN R28: On new para. 14.3.6.: editorial clarification. (The purpose of fixing the height should be restricted for taking measurement in a particular test.) On para. 6.2.1.1. and para. 6.2.1.3.: Since sound level meters on the market don’t meet the latest standard yet, IMMA proposes to use same IEC standard as in ECE R51.03: IEC 61672-1:2002.
GRB-63-16 | Information and comments on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2016/2 Comments on the draft Supplement 5 to UN R28.
GRB-63-17 | Future development of Regulation No. 28 Presentation from CATARC proposing improvements to the test procedures under UN R28.
GRB/2016/2 | Proposal for Supplement 5 to Regulation No. 28 Proposal to update and clarify the regulation. The proposal refines definitions, removes the “AWD” abbeviation for “audible warning device” to avoid confusion with its more common use for “all wheel drive”, adds T category agricultural vehicles to the scope, modifies some administrative communications, and proposes three-direction acoustic measurements. The proposal also aims to structure the regulation to enable its application to additional sound warning devices not presently regulated at the international level, excluding acoustic vehicle alerting systems (AVAS) which will be subject to a separate regulation on minimum vehicle sound levels.
3. Regulation No. 41 (Noise emissions of motorcycles): Development

4. The expert from IMMA proposed to clarify the test procedure in Annex 7 on Additional Sound Emission Provisions (ASEP) (GRB-63-10). GRB adopted the proposal (Annex II) and requested the secretariat to submit it to the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) and the Administrative Committee (AC.1) for consideration and vote at their June 2016 sessions as a draft Supplement 5 to the 04 series of amendments to Regulation No. 41.

GRB-63-10 | Proposal for amendments to the 04 series of amendments to Regulation No. 41 Proposal to clarify the test procedure by explicitly excluding first gear where possible from the ASEP control range.
4. Regulation No. 51 (Noise of M and N categories of vehicles)
4. (a) UN Regulation No. 51: Development

5. GRB noted that the 03 series of amendments to Regulation No. 51 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/62) had come into force on 20 January 2016 and that WP.29 and AC.1, at their March 2016 sessions, would consider a draft Supplement 1 to this series (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2016/4).

4. (b) UN Regulation No. 51: Additional sound emission provisions

6. The expert from ISO informed GRB about the activities of his organization to contribute to the GRB work on revising the ASEP provisions (GRB-63-11).

GRB-63-11 | Technical comments on Annex 7 to the 03 series of amendments to Regulation No. 51 "Additional sound emission provisions (ASEP)" Presentation of related ISO activities and prospects for cooperation in the future development of UN R51 ASEP.
5. Regulation No. 59 (Replacement silencing systems)

7. GRB noted that the 02 series of amendments to Regulation No. 59 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/4) and Supplement 1 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/63) had come into force on 8 October 2015 and on 20 January 2016, respectively.

WP.29/2015/4 | Proposal for the 02 series of amendments to Regulation No. 59 Consolidated version of UN Regulation No. 59 incorporating the revisions recommended by the Informal Working Group on UN Regulations Nos. 51 and 59 as approved by GRB during its 58th session in order to align the UN R59 with the latest EU decisions.
WP.29/2015/63 | Proposal for Supplement 1 to the 02 series of amendments to Regulation No. 59 Further refinements to the 02 series of amendments prepared by the Informal Working Group on UN Regulations Nos. 51 and 59. This submission proposes to clarify the amended text of document WP.29/2015/4 which was adopted during the March 2015 WP.29 session.
6. Regulation No. 92 (Replacement exhaust silencing systems for motorcycles)

8. GRB noted that the expert from EC had transmitted proposals for amendments to Regulation No. 92 (GRB-63-09) and agreed to consider them under agenda item 9, in conjunction with amendment proposals to Regulations Nos. 9 and 63.

7. Regulation No. 117 (Tyre rolling resistance, rolling noise and wet grip)

9. GRB was informed that the Working Party on Brakes and Running Gear (GRRF), at its February 2016 session, had adopted amendment proposals to Regulation No. 117 with the aim to align some definitions and paragraphs with Regulations Nos. 30, 54 and 75. The adopted proposals also included a definition of “manufacturer” from the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3) and amended the tyre marking requirements.

GRRF/2016/12 | Proposal for amendment to Regulation No. 54 and Regulation No. 117 Proposal to modify the marking requirements to replace PSI with kilopascals (“kPa”). The intent is to harmonize the pressure indication and avoid confusion between UN Regulation No. 54 and US FMVSS 119 or FMVSS 139. The proposal would also change the measurement units for drum speed from min<sup>-1</sup> to km.h<sup>-1</sup> in alignment with the requirements with other tyre regulations and align the wording in Annex 7, Appendix 1 with the text of the Regulation.
GRRF/2016/14 | Proposal for amendments to Regulation No. 117 Proposal to: a) Align definitions and content with the other tyre regulations (UN Regulations Nos. 30, 54, 75 etc.); b) Include a definition of “manufacturer” extracted from the resolution “R.E.3”; c) Adopt a common definition and use of the terms “Manufacturer’s name”, “Brand name”, “Trademark”, “Trade description” and “Commercial name” and their links; and d) Add information in the certificate to enable approval authorities to more easily understand the products the certificate addresses.

10. The expert from the Netherlands presented several videos demonstrating tyre-rolling noise from trucks on a quiet road surface and recalled his proposal to reduce the limit values for tyres in Regulation No. 117. The expert from EC pointed out that, at this stage, EC could not express any opinion on this proposal and that internal discussions among EU member States should first be planned and held on the issue. The expert from the Netherlands informed GRB that his country had already sent a proposal to this extent to EC and the European Parliament.

GRB-62-11 | Proposal for amendments to the 02 series of amendments to Regulation 117 Proposal to increase the stringency of tyre noise limits from 1 November 2020.
GRB-62-11/Add.1 | Proposal for amendments to the 02 series of amendments to Regulation 117 (presentation) Presentation in support of the proposal to increase the stringency of tyre noise limits from 1 November 2020.
8. Collective amendments

11. The expert from IMMA presented revised collective amendments to Regulations Nos. 9, 41, 63 and 92 to clarify that the provisions on fibrous materials are only applicable if such materials are in contact with exhaust gases (GRB-63-02). GRB adopted the proposals (Annexes III – VI) and requested the secretariat to submit them to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their June 2016 sessions as a draft Supplement 2 to the 07 series of amendments to Regulation No. 9, a draft Supplement 5 to the 04 series of amendments to Regulation No. 41, a draft Supplement 2 to the 02 series of amendments to Regulation No. 63 and a draft Supplement 1 to the 01 series of amendments to Regulation No. 92.

GRB-63-02 | Proposal for amendments to Regulations Nos. 9, 41, 63 and 92 UN R51 specifies that conditioning of a silencing system is necessary only in cases where exhaust gases come into contact with silencer fibrous materials. This proposal would apply the same concept in L category noise regulations.
9. Exchange of information on national and international requirements on noise levels

12. The expert from CAETS delivered a presentation (GRB-63-05) in which he argued in favour of a holistic and long-term approach to sound urban planning with a view to preventing negative effects on health and well-being of populations.

GRB-63-05 | Urban sound planning Presentation on urban noise research at Chalmers University.

13. The expert from EC informed GRB about a study on how to enhance the sound test requirements for mopeds, three-wheeled vehicles in Regulations Nos. 9, 63 and replacement exhaust silencing systems for L categories (L1 to L5) in Regulations Nos. 92 before the European Union (EU) could accept these Regulations (GRB-63-18). This study included public consultations and had been launched in response to frequent requests by citizens to improve the sound level of mopeds and three-wheeled vehicles as well as of replacement silencers for all L-category vehicles. On a similar note, the expert from EC reported about the ongoing public consultations on the EU Environmental Noise Directive1 (GRB-63-18-Add.1).

14. Based on the outcome of the study, the expert from EC proposed a set of collective amendments to Regulations Nos. 9, 63 and 92 (GRB-63-03, GRB-63-05, GRB-63-07, GRB-63-08, GRB-63-09). The experts from France, Germany, IMMA and OICA delivered a number of remarks on these documents. GRB invited all experts to transmit their written comments, if any, to the expert from EC. Finally, GRB decided to continue consideration of these amendment proposals at its next session based on official documents to be submitted by the expert from EC.

GRB-63-03 | Amendment proposals for Regulations Nos. 9, 63 and 92 Explanation of recommendations developed for the European Commission by LAT, TNO, Heinz Steven, and TÜV Nord for the improvement of the regulations with regard to additional sound emission provisions.
GRB-63-05 | Urban sound planning Presentation on urban noise research at Chalmers University.
GRB-63-07 | Amendment proposals for Regulation No. 63 Based on the outcomes of a European Commission study, proposal to clarify the text and align its provisions with other vehicle sound regulations, especially UN R41, including to replace references to "two wheeled moped" with the term “L1 category vehicles” (and consequently to replace references to "moped" with "vehicle") and to replace the term "noise" with "sound" (except for references to background noise) throughout the regulation.
GRB-63-08 | Amendment proposals for Regulation No. 9 Based on the outcomes of a European Commission study, proposal to clarify the text and align its provisions with other vehicle sound regulations, especially UN R41.
GRB-63-09 | Amendment proposals for Regulation No. 92
GRB-63-18 | EC study to enhance Regulations Nos. 9, 63 and 92 with respect to sound test requirements
GRB-63-18/Add.1 | Consultation on the evaluation of the EU Environmental Noise Directive
10. Influence of road surface on tyre rolling sound emissions

15. The expert from the Netherlands indicated that one Dutch province had launched a labelling system for noise of road surfaces and that the national authorities were studying the system. He added that more details would be reported at the next session of GRB.

11. Quiet road transport vehicles

16. The experts from France and Germany, in their capacity of Co-chairs of the Informal Working Group (IWG) on a Quiet Road Transport Vehicles (QRTV) Regulation under 1958 Agreement, reported on the status of QRTV-related work (GRB-63-13). GRB noted that WP.29, at its March 2016 session, would consider a draft QRTV Regulation (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2016/26). At its November 2015 session, WP.29 decided to extend the mandate IWG on QRTV Regulation with a view to addressing concerns raised by WBU (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1118, paras. 24, 100-102), namely sound pressure levels, optional installation of the Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) pause switches and sound emissions when stationary. IWG on QRTV Regulation would also consider the possible extension of the scope of the QRTV regulation to vehicles of L categories.

17. To reflect the above new tasks, the experts from France and Germany proposed to update the Terms of Reference (ToR) of IWG on QRTV Regulation (GRB-63-14). GRB adopted the revised ToR, as reproduced in Annex VII.

GRB-63-13 | Status of QRTV work and Regulation
GRB-63-14 | Revised Terms of Reference of IWG QRTV Regulation
WP.29/2016/26 | Proposal for a new Regulation concerning the approval of quiet road transport vehicles Proposal for the establishment of a new UN Regulation governing the approval of audible vehicle alerting systems for quiet vehicles moving at low speeds. This proposal can be considered as the first phase of the regulation. In response to concerns raised by the World Blind Union, GRB agreed to extend the mandate of the informal working group that developed this text in order to consider further measures to address the WBU concerns.

18. The expert from the United States of America, in his capacity of Chair of IWG on QRTV Global Technical Regulation (GTR), informed GRB that the national Rule on AVAS would be published in his country in the coming months and that, following the publication, he would convene a session of IWG on QRTV GTR. He also indicated that the AVAS pause switch would be prohibited in the national Rule.

19. The expert from Japan pointed out that AVAS is of critical importance for the safety of cyclists and pedestrians, especially of people with impaired vision, and proposed amendments to the draft QRTV Regulation prohibiting the pause function (GRB-63-12). The expert from WBU supported this proposal and expressed his concerns about the pause switch that would allow defeat of the safety device. GRB noted that the wording of the proposal might be improved and invited the expert from Japan to submit an updated text as an official document for consideration at the next session.

GRB-63-12 | Proposal for amendments to Regulation [138] concerning the approval of quiet road transport vehicles (QRTV) Proposal for a 01 series of amendments to the new UN Regulation on quiet road transport vehicles to prohibit the use of a pause function for the alert sound.
12. Acronyms and abbreviations in Regulations under the responsibility of the Working Party on Noise (GRB)

20. GRB recalled the WP.29 request to introduce, in the medium term, an alternative acronym for “Replacement Exhaust Silencing System” (RESS) in Regulation No. 92 (WP.29-165-16). As a replacement, the experts from IMMA and OICA proposed a new term “Non-Original Replacement Exhaust Silencing System” (NORESS). GRB preliminary agreed with this proposal and noted that it was already used in the amendment proposal for Regulation No. 92 (GRB-63-09).

GRB-63-09 | Amendment proposals for Regulation No. 92
WP.29-165-16 | Definitions and acronyms/abbreviations in Vehicle Regulations Status report on the work to harmonize definitions and terms.
13. Proposals for amendments to the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles

21. GRB noted that a new Revision 4 of the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3) had recently been made available on the UNECE website.

14. Development of the International Whole Vehicle Type Approval (IWVTA) system

22. The secretariat informed GRB about the recent activities of the Subgroup on UN Regulation No. 0 on IWVTA, about the progress on Revision 3 of the 1958 Agreement and about the development of an electronic database for the exchange of type approval documentation (DETA). GRB noted that Regulations Nos. 28 and 51 would be included in IWVTA.

15. Highlights of the November 2015 session of WP.29

23. The secretariat reported on the highlights of the 167th session of WP.29 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1118, GRB-63-06).

GRB-63-06/Rev.1 | General information and WP.29 highlights for the 63rd GRB session
16. Exchange of views regarding the future work of GRB

24. The Chair presented a revised list of possible issues for the future GRB activities compiled at the second informal meeting in December 2015, together with written comments by some experts (GRB-62-08-Rev.2). GRB noted that some of these issues could be addressed directly by GRB while some others might require the establishment of informal working groups (IWG). In particular, IWGs were suggested in relation to Regulations Nos. 41 and 51 for the ASEP provisions and for pass-by noise tests of vehicle in-use (during roadside checks and periodic technical inspections). The experts from France and Germany preliminarily volunteered to chair, respectively, these groups. The experts from China, Japan, Hungary, EC, IMMA and OICA expressed their support for the creation of these IWGs. GRB decided to take a decision on their establishment at its next session.

25. The expert from EC delivered a number of additional comments on GRB-62-08-Rev.2. In particular, he indicated that the ASEP provisions (in a light version) and pass-by tests were also necessary for Regulations Nos. 9 and 63, as proposed in documents GRB-63-07 and GRB-63-08. For possible new sound level limits in Regulations Nos. 9, 63, 92 and 117, as well as for re-treaded tyres, he pointed out that such limits may only be proposed after discussions with the EU member States in due time, subject to internal planning and availability of resources.

26. The expert from the Russian Federation proposed to amend the list of possible future activities, in the long term, with the following issues: infrasound and preparing a definition of quiet vehicles. The expert from ETRTO was of the view that it would be premature to address re-treaded tyres and pointed out that GRRF should also be involved in considerations of this issue.

27. GRB invited the Chair to update the list based on the comments received and decided to revert to this issue at its next session.

GRB-62-08/Rev.2 | GRB subjects for the future Overview of discussions for the future development of vehicle noise regulations prepared by the GRB secretariat.
17. Other business

28. GRB was informed that Mr. Jean-Claude Noirhomme (ETRTO) would retire and no longer attend its sessions. GRB acknowledged his considerable contributions to the activities of the group and wished him a happy retirement.

29. Mr. Walter Nissler, Chief, Vehicle Regulations and Transport Innovations Section, informed GRB about the abolishment of several General Service (G) posts within the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) as decided by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2015. He further explained that one of these G posts had been abolished in the Vehicle Regulations and Transport Innovations Section as of 1 January 2016, due to the imminent retirement of the current incumbent. He warned that this unfortunate situation might affect the services provided by the Section.

30. Some experts wondered whether it would be possible to move the autumn session of GRB to the second week of September. The Chair invited the secretariat to look into this issue, taking into account the annual schedule of meetings of WP.29 and its subsidiary bodies.

18. Provisional agenda for the sixty-fourth session