66. The World Forum considered the draft proposal for a new Regulation concerning the approval of quiet road transport vehicles (QRTV) under item 4.13.1 and recommended its submission to AC.1 for voting.

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.

20. GRB noted that the draft Regulation on quiet road transport vehicles (QRTV) (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2016/26) had been adopted by WP.29 and AC.1 at their March 2016 sessions and would enter into force as Regulation No. 138 in October 2016 (Depository Notification C.N.125.2016.TREATIES-XI.B.16 of 5 April 2016).

1. Paragraph 2.7. to make clear the “pause function” refers to systems that allow the driver to deactivate an AVAS system;
2. Paragraph 6.2.6.: The vehicle operator shall not deactivate AVAS while driving. However, the manufacturer shall be enabled to activate or deactivate AVAS, including automatically, by regional coding according to legal provisions of various markets.
3. Paragraph 11.: the transitional provisions were added according to the rules of WP.29 for new series of amendments. Paragraph 11.6. has been added to maintain approvals that also comply with the new series of amendments, as is the case for vehicles that do not have a pause function according to the newly suggested paragraph 6.2.6.
4. Annex 1, Addendum to the communication form No …, Technical Information: technical information regarding “Pause switch (yes/no)” will be no longer necessary.

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))”.

1. exempt hybrid vehicles that do not provide valid test results (e.g., internal combustion engine active under test conditions)
2. clarify the text concerning permissible AVAS operating conditions
to differentiate indoor and outdoor facility requirements (e.g., weather station requirement) and
3. update flowcharts in Annex 3 in line with text.
4. add a footnote to the scope to exempt electrified vehicles where the internal combustion engine (ICE) operates under the test conditions
5. clarify the intention of paragraph 6.2.:
   • that AVAS may be operational outside the specified speed ranges (e.g., in the USA where the speed range extends to 30 km/h),
   • align maximum sound with UN R51.03 ASEP, and
   • explicitly specify that the AVAS may function even when the ICE is running
6. clarify under paragraph 6.2.6. that a manufacturer may install an attenuation to enable the system to operate at different sound levels
7. split and clarify indoor and outdoor testing specifications under Annex 3 paragraph 2.2. to account for different needs such as a weather station
8. amend the flowcharts in the Annex 3 Appendix to better reflect the regulation text
9. align the transitional provisions in the 01 series of amendments with the format introduced following Revision 3 of the 1958 Agreement.

20. The expert of OICA introduced draft amendments to the 02 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 138 (GRBP-80-28), which took into account a new definition of “Exterior Sound Enhancement System” (ESES) proposed for UN Regulation No. 51 in ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2024/22 submitted by OICA. According to OICA, UN Regulation No. 138 should remain a safety UN Regulation while the environmental concerns should be addressed by UN Regulation No. 51. GRBP noted that the two Regulations provide parallel specifications for an overlapping speed range (20 – 50 km/h).

21. Given the complexity of the problem and lack of time, GRBP was not in a position to take a decision on the proposals by the experts of EC and OICA. To make progress, the Chair suggested that the proposals be first considered within a new group of interest before GRBP would revert to them at the next session. GRBP agreed that discussions could first start in October 2024 in the framework of the new subgroup on UN Regulation No. 51 (see para. 14 above) with a later establishment of a separate subgroup on UN Regulation No. 138, if necessary.

12. The expert of the Task Force on Quiet Road Transport Vehicles (TF QRTV) presented their proposals for a new series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 138 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2024/2, GRBP-79-34-Rev.1). The expert from ISO tabled further clarifications based on the final draft international standard ISO 16254 (GRBP-79-30). The expert from Australia withdrew their comments in GRBP-79-41.

13. Some experts from contracting parties supported the proposals as striking a delicate balance between road safety and environmental noise, while some others expressed their wish to postpone a decision on the proposals to the September 2024 session of GRBP. The expert of EC expressed that, albeit less ambitious than the European Union policy on noise reduction would prescribe, they could still support this proposal while at the same time work on further improvements for the next GRBP session.

14. The representative of WBU welcomed the mandatory acoustic vehicle alert system (AVAS) sound in reverse driving as contributing to the safety of blind people. He also appreciated optional AVAS sound at stationary as well as above the mandatory AVAS speed range of 0 to 20 km/h.

15. The expert from OICA raised concerns over the proposals (GRBP-79-44), in particular, the definition of “natural sound” as not being technologically neutral, and the sound limit in the speed range between 20 and 50 km/h.

16. As a compromise, the Chair of TF QRTV submitted an updated version (GRBP-79-34-Rev.2). Following an in-depth discussion, GRBP adopted the revised proposals, as amended by GRBP-79-34-Rev.2 and requested the secretariat to submit them for consideration and vote at the June 2024 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as the draft 02 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 138. The expert of EC pointed out that the new version went further towards disconnecting AVAS from safety issues, and clearly stated concern on this new proposal.

12. The expert of the Task Force on Quiet Road Transport Vehicles (TF QRTV) presented their proposals for a new series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 138 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2024/2, GRBP-79-34-Rev.1). The expert from ISO tabled further clarifications based on the final draft international standard ISO 16254 (GRBP-79-30). The expert from Australia withdrew their comments in GRBP-79-41.

13. Some experts from contracting parties supported the proposals as striking a delicate balance between road safety and environmental noise, while some others expressed their wish to postpone a decision on the proposals to the September 2024 session of GRBP. The expert of EC expressed that, albeit less ambitious than the European Union policy on noise reduction would prescribe, they could still support this proposal while at the same time work on further improvements for the next GRBP session.

14. The representative of WBU welcomed the mandatory acoustic vehicle alert system (AVAS) sound in reverse driving as contributing to the safety of blind people. He also appreciated optional AVAS sound at stationary as well as above the mandatory AVAS speed range of 0 to 20 km/h.

15. The expert from OICA raised concerns over the proposals (GRBP-79-44), in particular, the definition of “natural sound” as not being technologically neutral, and the sound limit in the speed range between 20 and 50 km/h.

16. As a compromise, the Chair of TF QRTV submitted an updated version (GRBP-79-34-Rev.2). Following an in-depth discussion, GRBP adopted the revised proposals, as amended by GRBP-79-34-Rev.2 and requested the secretariat to submit them for consideration and vote at the June 2024 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1 as the draft 02 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 138. The expert of EC pointed out that the new version went further towards disconnecting AVAS from safety issues, and clearly stated concern on this new proposal.

18. The expert from EC introduced a proposal for a new 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 138 (GRBP-80-06 and GRBP-80-24). According to her, the proposal contained improvement both in terms of safety (mandatory AVAS sound up to 30 km/h, increase in the minimum sound levels at low speed) and in terms of environmental noise (prohibition of AVAS sound above 30 km/h, decrease in the maximum sound levels in standstill, forward and reverse). Finally, she invited GRBP experts to provide feedback in September-October 2024, with the aim to incorporate comments and improvements and to submit a working document to the next session of GRBP.

19. The experts from France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, United Kingdom, OICA and WBU expressed their interest in participating in further discussions on the topic. Given the proposed significant changes, some experts requested more time to study the proposal. The expert from Japan sought scientific evidence for the proposal. The expert from Italy pointed out the need of a cost/benefit analysis of environmental aspects.