Proposal by expert from Switzerland to limit the maximum sound level of an “AVAS” and reduce superfluous noise pollution.

13. The expert from Switzerland proposed to prohibit operation of the acoustic vehicle alerting system (AVAS) outside the specification speed range from 0 km/h up to and inclusive 20 km/h (GRBP-74-02). The experts from Germany, ISO and OICA (GRBP-74-28) commented on this proposal. GRBP agreed to revert to this issue at the next session.

Flyer in German and French for a September 2017 technical conference: Lärmarme Strassenbeläge aus Asphalt/Revêtements bitumineux peu bruyants.

121. On behalf of the Task Force on Reverse Warning Sound (TF-RW), working under the Group of Experts on Noise and Tyres (GRBP), the expert from Switzerland introduced the status report of the TF-RW given at the 73rd session of GRBP (GRSG-121-14). He explained that the document dealt mainly with noise issues but also contained safety related aspects relevant for the work of GRSG on slide 13, concerning reverse acoustic warning devices. The expert informed GRSG that the TF-RW had changed the designation of Device(s) for reversing motion to Devices for the means of rearward vision and detection, which would have repercussions on the text of UN Regulation No. 158 that was developed by the IWG on VRU-Proxi.

122. The expert from Switzerland invited GRSG experts to deliver any comments with respect to the information provided to the Chair of the TF-RW (Mr. Hiroyuki Houzu – houzu@ntsel.go.jp) or the Secretary of the TF-RW (Mr. Manfred Klopotek – manfred.klopotek@scania.com). He informed GRSG that the next meeting of the TF-RW would take place on 29 April 2021, while the next GRBP session was scheduled for September 2021.

123. GRSG welcomed the information provided by the expert from Switzerland on behalf of the TF-RW and invited interested parties to submit comments through their representatives at the TF-RW.

Revised safety considerations for activities other than driving undertaken by the driver in a vehicle when its automated driving system is engaged.

26. The expert from Switzerland reported on the recent meeting of the Task Force (TF) on reverse warning issues under the Working Party on Noise and Tyres (GRBP) (GRSG-116-14). He added that TF had proposed amendments on a “pause switch” for reverse warning sound devices which would be permitted if other safety devices (e.g. camera monitor systems) were activated. GRSG welcomed the information and agreed on the need to coordinate this subject between GRBP and GRSG to avoid overregulation of these devices. The Chair invited IWG on awareness of Vulnerable Road Users proximity in low speed manoeuvres (VRU-Proxi) to further consider this subject and to report back to GRSG at its next session in October 2019.

This document proposes a draft text for a resolution on “activities other than those related to driving” that the driver of a vehicle equipped with an automated driving system could undertake when the automated driving system is engaged.

24. The expert from Switzerland presented an update (GRPE-76-08)to his presentation at a previous session of GRPE (GRPE-75-08) on manipulations on EURO V and VI trucks by aftermarket suppression of AdBlue injection . GRPE invited the expert from Switzerland to inform GRPE of new developments if any.

25. The expert from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) informed GRPE about a workshop held in Brussels on this matter. He offered to share information on the outcome of this workshop.

90. The representative of Switzerland presented WP.29-173-07, containing an update on circumstances in the detection of aftermarket manipulation of EURO IV, EURO V and EURO VI truck engines by the suppression of AdBlue injection, up to mid-September 2017. He explained that there were six heavy-duty truck control centres in Switzerland, that have controlled 14,245 vehicles from February to mid-November 2017. During that period, 199 vehicles were detected with irregularities in the pollutant control equipment – or about one per cent of all controlled vehicles. The representative of Switzerland provided information on the emission category engines and brands of vehicles that are most commonly detected to be manipulated, the countries of origin and the specific kind of manipulation that is most commonly detected. He explained that the number of detected manipulations had in recent months decreased as a proportion of total number of vehicles controlled, concluding that the activities of control centres have shown effect.

91. The Chair of WP.29 invited stakeholders to contact the Swiss delegation to contribute to the discussion and invited the Swiss delegation to give an update at the next WP.29 session in March 2018.

Proposal to delete the proposed amendment to paragraph 6.2.3. of UN R51 which would limit the scope of the additional sound emissions provisions (ASEP) to M₁ and N₁ vehicles equipped with an internal combustion engine operational within the control range of Annex 7. Switzerland submits that the limitation would release manufacturers from responsibility for vehicle sound behavior outside of ASEP in contradiction to the historical interpretation that manufacturers are responsible for ensuring reasonable vehicle sound levels under all conditions, not only within ASEP.

8. On behalf of a group of experts, the expert from OICA proposed a number of amendments updating and revising the 03 series of amendments to Regulation No. 51 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2017/6). These proposals received comments from the experts of China, Russian Federation and Switzerland (GRB-66-11, GRB-66-13 and GRB-66-19). The expert from OICA also proposed some further modifications (GRB-66-20).

9. The expert from Italy expressed concerns about the suggested extension of the sound pressure level measurement to line BB’ plus 20 m, with the aim to properly assess the possible “backfire”. According to him, this modification would be a new requirement which should be introduced by means of a new series of amendments with transitional provisions, rather than by a supplement, as proposed in ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRB/2017/6. He also pointed out that the above modification would need to be accompanied with a similar change in the relevant ISO standard. The experts from Germany, Japan, Sweden and Switzerland supported this amendment proposal in the form of a supplement. The expert of the Russian Federation supported the proposal as a supplement and agreed that Regulation No. 51 and the ISO standard should be aligned. The experts from France and EC were of the view that a new series of amendments would be more appropriate.

10. Given a large number of amendment proposals to Regulation No. 51, including the ones transmitted by the Informal Working Group (IWG) on Additional Sound Emission Provisions (ASEP) (see para. 12 below), GRB consolidated and provisionally adopted these proposals, as contained in Annex II. At the same time, GRB was not in a position to reach consensus on whether or not the adopted proposals would require a new series of amendments and/or transitional provisions. GRB decided to come back to this issue at its next session in January 2018. Meanwhile, the secretariat was requested to submit, in December 2017, the adopted text (Annex II) to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their March 2018 sessions as a draft Supplement 3 to the 03 series of amendments to Regulation No. 51, upon the understanding that any possible modifications, to be decided by GRB in January 2018, could exceptionally be submitted to WP.29 as a corrigendum or addendum to the original WP.29 document.

101. The representative of Switzerland presented WP.29-172-28 on manipulations on EURO V and VI trucks by aftermarket suppression of AdBlue injection. He explained that the Swiss authorities decided to act after some previous cases in other countries and that suspect vehicles are immobilized and inspected. He mentioned that 100 manipulated vehicles had been discovered nationwide since February 2017 (about 1 per cent detection rate). He clarified that only manipulated EURO V vehicles had been identified and no manipulated EURO VI vehicles had been detected so far due to the lack of access to the emission control software. He invited Contracting Parties to address the five questions in WP.29-172-28 in order to exchange information on manipulation detection methods and enforcement strategies. He introduced WP.29-172-24 to show how manipulated trucks were detected. He referred to WP.29-172-25 and WP.29-172-26 for information sharing.

102. The representatives of EU, Finland, UK and USA reported on related activities in their respective countries/regions and expressed their willingness to cooperate by sharing information and discussing best enforcement strategies over vehicle life.

103. The representative of the Russian Federation highlighted the relevance of this issue and encouraged the development of recommendations by the IWG on PTI. The representative of CITA underlined the need of consistency between the different regulatory instruments for vehicle approval, PTI and technical roadside inspections covering the whole vehicle life.

104. The Chair of WP.29 invited stakeholders to take contact with the Swiss delegation to contribute to the discussion and invited the Swiss delegation to give an update at the next WP.29 session in November 2017. WP.29 agreed to send WP.29-172-28 to the IWG on PTI for further consideration.