3. The expert from the Russian Federation introduced an updated proposal for amendments to Regulation No. 28 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2016/4, GRB-64-01, GRB-64-09 and GRB-64-22). The proposal received comments from the experts of France, Japan (GRB-64-02), Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland and OICA. GRB adopted the proposal, as amended by 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 March 2017 sessions as a draft Supplement 5 to Regulation No. 28.

3. The expert from the Russian Federation introduced an updated proposal for amendments to Regulation No. 28 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2016/4, GRB-64-01, GRB-64-09 and GRB-64-22). The proposal received comments from the experts of France, Japan (GRB-64-02), Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland and OICA. GRB adopted the proposal, as amended by 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 March 2017 sessions as a draft Supplement 5 to Regulation No. 28.

22. The experts from Japan and OICA proposed an editorial change as well as further amendments to Regulation No. 138 to prohibit the pause function for AVAS (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2016/8, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2016/9 and GRB-64-03). These proposals were supported by the experts of Germany, Italy, Poland, United States of America and WBU. GRB adopted the proposals, as laid down in Annex V, and requested the secretariat to submit them WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their March 2017 sessions as a draft Supplement 1 to the original series and a new draft 01 series of amendments to Regulation No. 138.

67. The World Forum considered the draft amendments under agenda items 4.6.1 to 4.6.6 and recommended their submission to AC.1 for voting, subject to the following modification of the title on top of page 2 of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/7 (agenda item 4.6.6): “01 series of amendments to Regulation No. 138 (Quiet Road Transport Vehicles (QRTV))”.

8. The expert from France presented the results of a survey on Additional Sound Emission Provisions (ASEP) (GRB-64-16). According the expert, the survey had identified many issues in the application of ASEP of the 03 series of amendments to Regulation No. 51 and the need for further work on this subject. He further reported that this view was also shared by ISO, which proposed to revise the ASEP provisions (GRB-64-04).

9. To progress in this area, GRB decided, subject to WP.29 consent, to establish an Informal Working Group (IWG) on ASEP and adopted its Terms of Reference (ToR) (GRB-64-23 and Rev.1), as reproduced in Annex III to this report. The experts from China, France, Germany, Hungary, Japan, Spain, IMMA, CLEPA and OICA expressed their interest in participating in the activities of IWG ASEP.

4. The expert from Germany presented an analysis of the current diverging requirements and challenges for reversing alarms of M and N categories of vehicles and called for harmonization in this area in the framework of the 1958 Agreement (GRB-64-06). As an example of a possible solution, he mentioned amending Regulation No. 28 with the provisions on reversing alarms (GRB-64-05). The expert from Turkey recalled its alternative proposal, at the March 2016 session of WP.29, to establish a new Regulation on vehicle reversing sound warning devices (WP.29-168-04).

5. GRB was of the view that, before taking a decision on the legal form of reversing alarm requirements, this issue would need to be studied further. The experts from China, France, Germany, Hungary, Republic of Korea, Spain, Turkey and OICA expressed their interest in participating in this work. The Chair invited the expert of Germany to solicit comments from GRB experts with a view to preparing proposals for the next session. The expert from Japan pointed out the need to cooperate with the Working Party on General Safety Provisions (GRSG) on devices for indirect vision (Regulation No. 46) which could be an alternative to reversing alarms.

3. The experts from Germany, Japan, Republic of Korea and Turkey outlined the present situation with reversing alarms at the national level, identified the existing problems in this field and proposed solutions (GRB-65-06, GRB-65-07-Rev.1, GRB-65-13, GRB-65-14 and GRB-65-19). The expert from the Netherlands suggested using white noise alarms that, according to him, have advantages over the traditional tonal noise alarms that beep (GRB-65-17).

4. GRB agreed that, rather than amending Regulation No. 28, a new Regulation on reversing alarm should be prepared. GRB noted that the main issues of the future Regulation would be its scope (categories of vehicles), the possible existence of a pause switch and the alarm sound composition (sound levels and frequencies). GRB agreed that there was no need to establish a new informal working group and that the initial drafting would be carried out by a small group (task force) of interested parties. The expert from Germany volunteered to steer the work of the task force with the assistance of OICA. The experts from Japan and Turkey pointed out that, if need be, they could also act as sponsors.

4. The expert from Germany presented an analysis of the current diverging requirements and challenges for reversing alarms of M and N categories of vehicles and called for harmonization in this area in the framework of the 1958 Agreement (GRB-64-06). As an example of a possible solution, he mentioned amending Regulation No. 28 with the provisions on reversing alarms (GRB-64-05). The expert from Turkey recalled its alternative proposal, at the March 2016 session of WP.29, to establish a new Regulation on vehicle reversing sound warning devices (WP.29-168-04).

5. GRB was of the view that, before taking a decision on the legal form of reversing alarm requirements, this issue would need to be studied further. The experts from China, France, Germany, Hungary, Republic of Korea, Spain, Turkey and OICA expressed their interest in participating in this work. The Chair invited the expert of Germany to solicit comments from GRB experts with a view to preparing proposals for the next session. The expert from Japan pointed out the need to cooperate with the Working Party on General Safety Provisions (GRSG) on devices for indirect vision (Regulation No. 46) which could be an alternative to reversing alarms.

3. The experts from Germany, Japan, Republic of Korea and Turkey outlined the present situation with reversing alarms at the national level, identified the existing problems in this field and proposed solutions (GRB-65-06, GRB-65-07-Rev.1, GRB-65-13, GRB-65-14 and GRB-65-19). The expert from the Netherlands suggested using white noise alarms that, according to him, have advantages over the traditional tonal noise alarms that beep (GRB-65-17).

4. GRB agreed that, rather than amending Regulation No. 28, a new Regulation on reversing alarm should be prepared. GRB noted that the main issues of the future Regulation would be its scope (categories of vehicles), the possible existence of a pause switch and the alarm sound composition (sound levels and frequencies). GRB agreed that there was no need to establish a new informal working group and that the initial drafting would be carried out by a small group (task force) of interested parties. The expert from Germany volunteered to steer the work of the task force with the assistance of OICA. The experts from Japan and Turkey pointed out that, if need be, they could also act as sponsors.

31. The expert from ISO reported on the progress of standard ISO 362-3 on indoor testing of pass-by noise (GRB-64-07). The expert from OICA stressed the importance of including indoor testing as an alternative to type approval tests of Annex 3 to Regulation No. 51, in particular for vehicle manufacturers in countries where the local weather conditions allow the use of outdoor test tracks only for a limited period per year. The expert of Germany pointed out that, at this stage, it would be premature to replace type approval tests with indoor testing. To make progress, GRB invited the experts from ISO and OICA to prepare for the next session an informal document with draft amendment proposals to Regulation No. 51 that would include ISO 362-3.

32. The Chair presented a revised list of possible issues for the future GRB activities compiled at the third informal meeting in July 2016 (GRB-64-08). The expert from Japan proposed modifications to the time limits of some activities listed in this document. The expert from France presented proposals to improve efficiency of road vehicle noise Regulations by tackling such issues as day-to-day and track-to-track dispersion between measurements and different interpretations of the same text (GRB-64-15). The expert from EC proposed to include three additional points related to L-category vehicles (GRB-64-17). The expert from OICA reported on a meeting between ETRTO and OICA which concluded that a harmonized test procedure for tyre and vehicle noise measurements would be beneficial for industry and environment. Finally, GRB invited all experts to submit their comments in writing to the Chair and requested the Chair to update the list accordingly.

3. The expert from the Russian Federation introduced an updated proposal for amendments to Regulation No. 28 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2016/4, GRB-64-01, GRB-64-09 and GRB-64-22). The proposal received comments from the experts of France, Japan (GRB-64-02), Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland and OICA. GRB adopted the proposal, as amended by 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 March 2017 sessions as a draft Supplement 5 to Regulation No. 28.

17. The expert from EC introduced additional amendments on powered cycles to Regulation No. 63 (GRB-64-11) and, to this end, also proposed to include new subcategories L1-A and L1-B in the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3) (GRB-64-18). The experts from Germany, Japan, Italy, Netherlands and IMMA requested more time to study the proposals and pointed out that R.E.3 would need first to be amended with the new definitions of powered cycles. GRB agreed to come back to this subject at the next session.

30. The secretariat reported on the highlights of the 168th and 169th sessions of WP.29 (GRB-64-12).

15. The expert from EC introduced revised proposals for amendments to Regulations Nos. 9, 63 and 92 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2016/6, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2016/7, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2016/5 and GRB-64-13). GRB adopted these proposals, subject to the following correction of references:

ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2016/6, Annex 3, paragraph 3.1.2.2.3., last sentence, for 2.8 read 2.10.

ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2016/7, Annex 3, paragraph 3.1.2.2., for 2.8 read 2.12.

16. GRB requested the secretariat to submit the above proposals to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their March 2017 sessions as a draft Supplement 3 to the 07 series of amendments to Regulation No. 9, a draft Supplement 3 to the 02 series of amendments to Regulation No. 63 and a draft Supplement 2 to the 01 series of amendments to Regulation No. 92.

23. The expert from France, in his capacity of Co-chair of the IWG on a Quiet Road Transport Vehicles (QRTV) Regulation under 1958 Agreement, reported on the status of QRTV-related work (GRB-64-14).

32. The Chair presented a revised list of possible issues for the future GRB activities compiled at the third informal meeting in July 2016 (GRB-64-08). The expert from Japan proposed modifications to the time limits of some activities listed in this document. The expert from France presented proposals to improve efficiency of road vehicle noise Regulations by tackling such issues as day-to-day and track-to-track dispersion between measurements and different interpretations of the same text (GRB-64-15). The expert from EC proposed to include three additional points related to L-category vehicles (GRB-64-17). The expert from OICA reported on a meeting between ETRTO and OICA which concluded that a harmonized test procedure for tyre and vehicle noise measurements would be beneficial for industry and environment. Finally, GRB invited all experts to submit their comments in writing to the Chair and requested the Chair to update the list accordingly.

8. The expert from France presented the results of a survey on Additional Sound Emission Provisions (ASEP) (GRB-64-16). According the expert, the survey had identified many issues in the application of ASEP of the 03 series of amendments to Regulation No. 51 and the need for further work on this subject. He further reported that this view was also shared by ISO, which proposed to revise the ASEP provisions (GRB-64-04).

9. To progress in this area, GRB decided, subject to WP.29 consent, to establish an Informal Working Group (IWG) on ASEP and adopted its Terms of Reference (ToR) (GRB-64-23 and Rev.1), as reproduced in Annex III to this report. The experts from China, France, Germany, Hungary, Japan, Spain, IMMA, CLEPA and OICA expressed their interest in participating in the activities of IWG ASEP.

32. The Chair presented a revised list of possible issues for the future GRB activities compiled at the third informal meeting in July 2016 (GRB-64-08). The expert from Japan proposed modifications to the time limits of some activities listed in this document. The expert from France presented proposals to improve efficiency of road vehicle noise Regulations by tackling such issues as day-to-day and track-to-track dispersion between measurements and different interpretations of the same text (GRB-64-15). The expert from EC proposed to include three additional points related to L-category vehicles (GRB-64-17). The expert from OICA reported on a meeting between ETRTO and OICA which concluded that a harmonized test procedure for tyre and vehicle noise measurements would be beneficial for industry and environment. Finally, GRB invited all experts to submit their comments in writing to the Chair and requested the Chair to update the list accordingly.

17. The expert from EC introduced additional amendments on powered cycles to Regulation No. 63 (GRB-64-11) and, to this end, also proposed to include new subcategories L1-A and L1-B in the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3) (GRB-64-18). The experts from Germany, Japan, Italy, Netherlands and IMMA requested more time to study the proposals and pointed out that R.E.3 would need first to be amended with the new definitions of powered cycles. GRB agreed to come back to this subject at the next session.

27. GRB noted that the draft proposal by the expert from the European Commission (GRB-64-18) was addressed under agenda item 8 (para. 17 above).

28. The expert from OICA indicated the need to include new definitions on special vehicles into the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3). He added that OICA would submit proposals to the GRSG session in October 2016.

21. The expert from EC briefed GRB on how the technical and administrative provisions of Regulation No. 138 on the Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) requirements would be incorporated in Annex VIII to EU Regulation No. 540/2014 (GRB-64-19).

25. The expert from OICA presented the outcome of their survey of owners (drivers) of a specific electric vehicle model on their experiences with AVAS (GRB-64-20 and GRB-64-21). GRB welcomed the study and called for more AVAS surveys, in particular of vulnerable road users (e.g. cyclists, pedestrians, blind or people with impaired vision).

25. The expert from OICA presented the outcome of their survey of owners (drivers) of a specific electric vehicle model on their experiences with AVAS (GRB-64-20 and GRB-64-21). GRB welcomed the study and called for more AVAS surveys, in particular of vulnerable road users (e.g. cyclists, pedestrians, blind or people with impaired vision).

3. The expert from the Russian Federation introduced an updated proposal for amendments to Regulation No. 28 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2016/4, GRB-64-01, GRB-64-09 and GRB-64-22). The proposal received comments from the experts of France, Japan (GRB-64-02), Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland and OICA. GRB adopted the proposal, as amended by 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 March 2017 sessions as a draft Supplement 5 to Regulation No. 28.

8. The expert from France presented the results of a survey on Additional Sound Emission Provisions (ASEP) (GRB-64-16). According the expert, the survey had identified many issues in the application of ASEP of the 03 series of amendments to Regulation No. 51 and the need for further work on this subject. He further reported that this view was also shared by ISO, which proposed to revise the ASEP provisions (GRB-64-04).

9. To progress in this area, GRB decided, subject to WP.29 consent, to establish an Informal Working Group (IWG) on ASEP and adopted its Terms of Reference (ToR) (GRB-64-23 and Rev.1), as reproduced in Annex III to this report. The experts from China, France, Germany, Hungary, Japan, Spain, IMMA, CLEPA and OICA expressed their interest in participating in the activities of IWG ASEP.

8. The expert from France presented the results of a survey on Additional Sound Emission Provisions (ASEP) (GRB-64-16). According the expert, the survey had identified many issues in the application of ASEP of the 03 series of amendments to Regulation No. 51 and the need for further work on this subject. He further reported that this view was also shared by ISO, which proposed to revise the ASEP provisions (GRB-64-04).

9. To progress in this area, GRB decided, subject to WP.29 consent, to establish an Informal Working Group (IWG) on ASEP and adopted its Terms of Reference (ToR) (GRB-64-23 and Rev.1), as reproduced in Annex III to this report. The experts from China, France, Germany, Hungary, Japan, Spain, IMMA, CLEPA and OICA expressed their interest in participating in the activities of IWG ASEP.

18. The expert from China gave an overview of the national implementation of the 03 series of amendments to Regulation No. 51 and related issues (GRB-64-24).