Update from the expert group developing provisions for plastic glazing under UN Regulation No. 43

Justification for raising the stringency of rear underrun protection device requirements as proposed in document GRSG/2013/27.

Proposal to clarify the “resistance to high temperature” test procedure to account for the effect of higher altitudes (barometric pressure) on temperature calibrations (e.g., the boiling point of water).

The informal group on camera-monitor systems (CMS) produced a proposal to enable the use of CMS as an alternative to conventional mirrors (document GRSG/2011/23/Rev.1). A decision on this proposal has been pending while the Forum awaits the establishment of an ISO standard on CMS. Since the ISO standard is now in its final stages, Germany proposes to reactivate the CMS informal group in order to prepare an updated regulatory proposal for these systems.

Proposal to require automatic mirrors to unfold automatically when the vehicle reaches a speed higher than 10 km/h. The concern is to address certain mirrors designed not to unfold at speeds up to 45 km/h.

The draft supplement 1 to the 01 series of amendments to UN R110 (pending before the November WP.29 session) introduces type-approval provisions for vehicles equipped with liquefied natural gas propulsion systems. In this document, Germany signals its intention to prepare substantial revisions concerning its safety provisions.

Updated proposal to introduce the automatic activation of the hazard warning lights upon detection of excess temperatures in engine and/or heater compartment in buses and coaches.
This proposal supersedes document GRSG-104-04.

Proposal to introduce provisions for the use of plastic safety glazing in side windows behind the B pillar more in line with the stipulations for glazing with a light transmittance below 70 per cent in that area.

Proposal to require, in configurations where the engine compartment is located to the rear of the driver’s compartment, that the engine cannot be started from the driver’s position when the panel giving access to moving parts of the engine is open. It takes into account the comments received during the 105th session and supersedes documents GRSG/2013/14 and GRSG-105-14.

Editorial changes to the proposal to introduce more stringent requirements for rear underrun protection devices (document GRSG/2014/18).

Proposal to require an exterior protection on cylindrical gas tanks. Under the current regulation, such exterior protection may be fitted at the discretion of the manufacturer. The intention is to increase protection against corrosion of cylinders in response to a corroded cylinder explosion in Germany.

Comparison of the OICA and German proposals to set new requirements for rear under-run protection devices.

Input from Germany in response to the European Commission request (document GRSG-106-38) for input on the possible type approval of new systems that enable unlocking cars via smart phones and that send silent alarms to security services via the Internet.

Proposal by Germany to amend the Swedish proposal (document GRSG/2014/6) to introduce approval provisions for automatic fire suppression systems activated upon the detection of fire in the engine and/or heater compartment of buses and coaches. This proposal would limit mandatory installation to Class III vehicles.

Proposal to delete provisions regarding the optical display of the status of the vehicle alarm system outside the passenger compartment in order to avoid driver distraction by and/or confusion of such exterior lighting with primary lighting and signaling equipment required under UN R48.

Proposal to delete provisions regarding the optical display of the status of the vehicle alarm system outside the passenger compartment in order to avoid driver distraction by and/or confusion of such exterior lighting with primary lighting and signaling equipment required under UN R48.

Amended proposal to include odometers within the scope of UN R39, deleting the reference to the “technical constant” and a provision for the installation of a replacement odometer.

Proposal to amend the draft 03 series of amendments to UN R58 (document GRSG/2014/18).

Revised proposal to introduce more stringent requirements for rear underrun protection devices, amending and superseding document GRSG/2014/18.

Proposal to require an exterior protection on cylindrical gas tanks. Under the current regulation, such exterior protection may be fitted at the discretion of the manufacturer. The intention is to increase protection against corrosion of cylinders in response to a corroded cylinder explosion in Germany.

Proposal to clarify the scope and the application of the regulation. The proposal clarifies that the regulations applies to “the burning behaviour of electric cables and cable sleeves or cable conduits used in the vehicle” and it updates the reference to paragraph 5.22. of ISO 6722-1:2011.

Proposal to clarify the requirements concerning the height of steps in vehicles which comply with Annex 8.

Revised proposal to introduce more stringent requirements for rear underrun protection devices, taking into account the comments received during the 108th GRSG session.

Revised proposal to introduce more stringent requirements for rear underrun protection devices, taking into account the comments received during the 108th GRSG session.

This proposal supersedes document GRSG/2015/28 which would apply testing only to any electric cables, cable sleeves, and cable conduits that exceed a length of 100 mm. Germany’s proposal is for the World Forum to first adopt the sister proposal in document GRSG/2015/29, clarifying the scope and application of UN R118 with regard to cables, and then adopt this present proposal in a subsequent stage as a new series of amendments to UN R118.

Proposal to clarify provisions concerning the deactivation of emergency door controls to prevent doors from being opened while the vehicle is in motion. The proposal specifies the focus on interior controls and would reduce the speed threshold for deactivation from 5 km/h to 3 km/h based on reports from bus operators.

Proposal to revise the AEGPL proposal concerning dual fuel systems (GRSG/2015/35). The proposal introduces ISO 26262:2011 (functional safety of electric/electronic systems) as the basis for assessing safety functions. Germany proposes to require resistance against diesel fuel in addition to petrol fuel (Annex 18). Furthermore, the proposal would require manufacturers to provide a full listing of the parts incorporated within the system to ensure that testing services and approval authorities have a clear understanding of any elements that may be safety-related.

UN R107 includes a provision to prevent a folding seat used by the crew from obstructing the view of the exterior rear-view mirror. GRSG approved the Netherlands proposal (document GRSG/2015/14) to apply this restriction to rear-view camera monitors. Germany submits, however, that because the positioning of monitors inside the vehicle differs from that of exterior mirrors, direct application of these requirements may result in positioning below the line of sight and therefore proposes to clarify the requirement to ensure safe installation of rear-view monitors and mirrors.

Information on BASt research into heavy vehicle accidents and fatalities involving cyclists. Germany intends to propose the mandatory installation of blind-spot detection systems for such vehicles.

Proposal to modify UN R125 in line with the proposed amendment to UN R46 (indirect vision) that introduces the use of camera-monitor systems (CMS) in place of rear-view mirrors (i.e., document GRSG/2015/2). This proposal is part of a package of proposals to amend the UN Regulations impacted by the amendment to UN R46 and would extend the provisions for rear-view mirrors to CMS devices.

Proposal to enable the use of alternate colors (per footnote 18 of Table 1 and in line with ISO Standard 2575) for certain lighting tell-tales in order to indicate light source failures in response to the proposals for light failure indicators under UN Regulations Nos. 7, 48 and 87 (GRE/2016/7, GRE/2016/12 and GRE/2016/17) as adopted by GRE. This proposal anticipates use of the same approach in response to plans for additional failure indication requirements for other lighting regulations.

Presentation on blind-spot accident data and work on the development of a test cycle to assess the effectiveness of blind-spot countermeasures to reduce the risk of VRU collisions.

Proposal to amend GRSG/2015/36 introducing requirements for the operation of a CNG heater when the vehicle is stationary and before starting the engine. The limitation on the number of valves used to operate the CNG combustion heater will require technical changes without any significant benefit. The proposal therefore deletes the limitation and introduces additional clarifications.

Proposal to change the latency for scanning a field of vision (total process of scanning, rendering and reset to its initial position) from a maximum of 2 seconds to a maximum of 200 ms. This proposal corresponds to the current state of technology and removes a contradiction within the regulation between paragraphs 6.2.1.2. and 6.2.2.3.4.3. (the latter introduced via supplement 2 to the 04 series of amendments).

Presentation on the German effort to develop blind-spot detection performance assessment procedures pursuant to interest in making such systems mandatory on long vehicles.

Proposal to replace the term “minimum average magnification factor” with “magnification factors” in paragraph 16.1.3.1. There is no “minimum average magnification factor” in this regulation, just a “minimum magnification factor” and an “average magnification factor” and this already mentioned in the text following the revised sentence.

Proposal to augment the provisions to address the needs of persons with reduced mobility by improving accommodations for wheelchair users and for persons who are visually and/or hearing impaired, superseding documents GRSG/2016/20 and its Corrigendum 1.

Proposal to clarify the text. Supplement 1 to the 02 series of amendments amended the definition of the interior compartment (formerly “passenger compartment” up to the 01 series of amendments). Part of this amendment concerned the upper boundary surface, replacing the term “roof” by “ceiling”. This proposal updates several passages of the text where the term “roof” should therefore be replaced.

Proposal to correct the cross-reference in paragraph 6.3.3.2. where “the test shall satisfy the conditions laid down in paragraph 6.1.3. of this Regulation” should refer to paragraph 6.1.1.3.

Proposal to require that components connecting the pressure relief device with the gaseous phase be made of metal.

Proposal to establish a requirement for easy access to the LPG container installation in order to permit visual (periodical) inspection as a means to reduce the safety risks, such as refueling explosion, due to corrosion.

Proposal to establish a requirement for easy access to the CNG container installation in order to permit visual (periodical) inspection as a means to reduce the safety risks, such as refueling explosion, due to corrosion.

Presentation on the proposal for a new regulation on blind-spot information signalling for heavy vehicles.

Proposal to expand the scope of the regulation on unauthorized L-category vehicle use to include electronic devices such as keyless entry systems, similarly to what already exists in UN R116 on passenger car use.

The target of the meeting was to define essential periodic inspection requirements to be respected when installing gaseous fuel components into a vehicle, and to clarify the material requirements for components inside the LPG tank. The work addressed UN R67 and UN R110. No further meetings are planned at this time.

Proposal developed by the Gas-fueled Vehicle Regulations Task Force to facilitate periodic inspections of gas containers through better visibility. In addition, Germany suggests adding that paragraph to allow a Contracting Party or a regional organization of Contacting Parties like the EU to refuse national or regional type-approval and to refuse first registration of a vehicle type affected by the changes introduced by the 02 series of amendments but not meeting those stipulations. Paragraph 22.13 is an addition to paragraph 22.9. giving more stress to aspects of national and regional type-approval and of first registration of vehicles.

Proposal developed by the Gas-fueled Vehicle Regulations Task Force to facilitate periodic inspections of gas containers through better visibility. In addition, Germany suggests adding a paragraph to allow a Contracting Party or a regional organization of Contacting Parties like the EU to refuse national or regional type-approval and to refuse first registration of a vehicle type affected by the changes introduced by the 03 series of amendments but not meeting those stipulations. Paragraph 24.22. is an addition to paragraph 22.18. giving more stress to the aspects of national and regional type-approval and of first registration of vehicles.

Germany is requesting GRSG guidance regarding the approval of CMS that adapt the field of view under certain conditions (e.g., to compensate when a vehicle and trailer combination moves along a curve).