Proposal to expand minimum operating conditions for driver drowsiness and attention warning systems to include roads with absent or significantly faded lane markings requiring road-edge detection capability, strong direct light directed towards driver-facing and road-facing sensors, and cabin temperature and humidity conditions prone to causing camera fogging. The proposal applies technology-neutral consolidated performance requirements rather than distinguishing between direct and indirect system means. Data from Australian and Great Britain road networks show that the majority of road fatalities occur in rural areas on roads often unmarked or with degraded markings, and road-edge detection is already technically available and demonstrated by vehicles tested under ANCAP protocols.
Proposal to develop a mandatory, testable microsleep detection and warning capability for the 01 series. Microsleep is a brief loss of consciousness indicated by 1–3 second eye closure that presents an immediate and significant road safety risk. The system should detect eye closure over time, use supporting cues such as neck droop or body slump to confirm events, and provide a dedicated and appropriately forceful warning strategy. Detection logic may use primary criteria such as >95% eye closure for >2.5 seconds or combined criteria such as >85% eye closure for >1.8 seconds plus neck droop or body slump. Testing pathways include controlled simulation with deliberate eye-closure events and fatigued-driver testing to observe genuine microsleep events.
Presentation on maintaining effective drowsiness monitoring when Driver Control Assistance System (DCAS) is active. A DDAW system using indirect means cannot effectively assess driver drowsiness when the driver is not nominally required to steer, brake, or accelerate. Hands-on or eyes-on engagement does not establish alertness. Either the DDAW system or an alternate system should meet prescribed DDAW system performance while DCAS is active, with no gap in coverage or performance. UN R171 02 series amendments do not prescribe DDAW-equivalent performance criteria for drowsiness determination.
Summary of research findings from DDADWS meetings 8 and 9 concerning driver drowsiness detection and warning systems. Topics covered include fatigue contributing to 15–30% of road crashes, the safety-critical nature of KSS levels 8 and 9, distinguishing drowsiness from microsleep events, eye-closure behaviour as a practical detection tool with 2-second minimum duration criteria removing 85% of false positives while preserving 90% of true positives, KSS as a validation reference measure, testing environments including simulators and on-road conditions, system performance metrics, observable signs of drowsy driving including lane deviations and ocular indicators, participant demographics and state, ensuring valid drowsiness testing, warning effectiveness and escalation strategies, and evidence-based design factors for drowsiness warnings.
The Task Force reviewed and approved regulatory amendments for ADS-equipped vehicles across multiple UN Regulations. Key decisions included adopting a simplified and consistent definition of ‘vehicle user’ for light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles, retaining original wording for warning signal transmission to ADS systems, and amending engine torque terminology under UN R49. Amendments were reviewed for UN R49, UN R83, UN R115, UN R154, UN R177, UN R179, and UN R180, with focus on consistency regarding ADS testing modes and an additional 25 kg mass allowance for vehicles of categories X and Y. The Task Force acknowledged that ADS operation may result in additional energy consumption not fully reflected in current testing procedures and agreed to seek GRPE guidance on possible future work.
The A-LCA IWG proposes to enter an Information/Technical Exchange phase following the 95th GRPE session, with activities including reference to currently available methodologies, maintenance of the compile document, study of methodologies to check linearity of GHG emissions against vehicle maths in the same LCA family, and any other items proposed by members. The IWG will report status during every GRPE session. Phase 2 is planned from October 2026 to April 2027, with a request for extension of one year once GRPE recognises a clear time schedule for A-LCA methodology development.
Progress report on the Task Force on Tyre Abrasion covering February to October 2026. Work on UN Regulation on tyre abrasion for C1 tyres has concluded, with new UN R186 adopted at WP.29’s 199th session in June 2026, implementing a two-stage approach with initial application from 30 June 2028 and increased stringency from 30 June 2033. C2 test method development is ongoing with formal working document postponed to February 2027; C3 tyre work commenced with brainstorming session in October 2026 targeting working document in February 2027. The Task Force proposes conversion to an Informal Working Group.