This submission from the International
Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA) proposes to improve UN R107 provisions concerning the accessibility of pushchairs or prams in coaches and buses.

In document GRSG/2013/2, the Russian Federation proposed to amend the position requirement for interior controls of power-operated service doors in Class B vehicles from the current minimum of 1600 mm to a range between 1000-1500 mm.

Here OICA proposes to replace the suggested range with a single minimum value of 1000 mm for all classes of vehicles.

OICA supports the proposal from the EC, France, and Germany (GRSG/2013/9) to provide for a specific area on Class I buses for prams/pushchairs where a child could remain seated, but proposes changes to the text for clarity.

Revisions to the changes proposed for the amendments to UN R107 developed by the Informal Group for Service Doors, Windows, and Emergency Exits (SDWEE) for inclusion in the 06 series of amendments to the regulation (document GRSG/2012/15).

Proposal to improve the wording without changing the intent of the original proposal to amend the requirements for the minimum number of priority seats: four in Class I, two in Class II and Class III and one in Class A and Class B and disallowing the priority designation for folding seats.

Proposal to clarify the wording of the original proposal to prevent accidents when the flap covering the engine compartment is open by specifying that the provisions concern only the main engine access panel.

Proposal to add transitional provisions to ensure the validity of the preceding series of amendments to UN R107 for vehicles not impacted by the 05 series (mandating temperature alarm systems in certain bus compartments not directly visible to bus occupants).

Text proposing to clarify the current transitional provisions of UN Regulation No. 107. The proposal aims to ensure the validity of the preceding series of amendments to UN R107 for vehicles not impacted by the 05 series (mandating temperature alarm systems in certain bus compartments not directly visible to bus occupants).

Proposal to modify document GRSG/2014/5 which would amend the current transitional provisions of UN Regulation No. 107in order to ensure the validity of the preceding series of amendments to UN R107 for vehicles not impacted by the 05 series (mandating temperature alarm systems in certain bus compartments not directly visible to bus occupants). This proposal would change the proposed language in order to clarify that vehicles not affected by the 05 Series of amendments can continue to be approved with no modification to their markings, and that extensions to the approvals for these vehicles can continue to be granted.

Proposal to clarify that an “overnight locking system” referred to in the proposed amendment to paragraph 2.41 is not one intended to be operated by passengers from inside the vehicle.

The newly introduced systems to detect excessive temperatures and/or smoke enable the driver to act immediately to ensure the safety of the passengers. This implies the possibility of braking, stopping, or some other response which could impact other road users. Therefore, this proposal would require the hazard warning lights to be activated (which will require consideration by the WP.29 Working Party on Lighting and Light-signalling Equipment). The proposal also proposes transitional provisions for the implementation of the new requirements.

OICA comments on the proposal to introduce fire suppression systems for buses and coaches upon detection of fire in the engine and/or heater compartment (document GRSG/2014/6).

Proposal to correct the calculation of total mass under the draft 05 and 06 series amendments intended to align Annex 11 of UN R107 with Regulation (EU) 1230/2012 (i.e., the amendments proposed in document GRSG/2014/22).

OICA concerns regarding the proposal to introduce fire suppression systems for buses and coaches upon detection of fire in the engine and/or heater compartment (document GRSG/2014/6/Rev.1).

Proposal to mandate fire suppression systems on vehicles of Classes I and II as a new 07 series of amendments to UN R107. It is mainly based on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2014/6/Rev.1, amended as reproduced in GRSG-108-51, submitted to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration at their November 2015 sessions, as draft Supplement 4 to the 06 series of amendments to Regulation No. 107 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/88).

Pursuant to the proposal to enable the use of autonomous compressed natural gas (CNG) heaters for the purpose of heating the engine coolant under UN R110, this proposal would require that the alarm system and fire suppression system (required through paragraph 7.5.1.5. as amended by Supplement 4 to 06 series of amendments) be activated as soon as the heater is in function and even if the engine is not operational.

During its first session, the EMC Task Force considered proposal regarding the application of UN R10 to trolley buses (under UN R107), to UN R46 (indirect vision and camera monitor systems), and to the work on automatic emergency call systems (AECS), as well as a proposal to amend UN R10 itself. OICA provides the views of its EMC experts in this document.

Revised approach to resolving the issues raised in Romania’s proposal GRSG/2015/21 to redefine the measurement criteria for determining appropriate seat spacing. This proposal has been developed collaboratively by Romania, OICA, and CCLCR with respect to discussions held by the type approval authorities of the member states of the European Union (TAAM). The proposal includes the use of a new testing gauge for the H dimension measurement.

Proposal to clarify paragraph 7.7.5.1. with regard to ceiling-mounted displays or monitors and simplify the testing procedure:

• The gauge shall be used only for the identification of the monitors to be tested.
• The simplified way to apply the removal force corresponds to a passenger pushing the monitor/display with its hand, and in these conditions the acceptable force limit is adapted.
• The test must be conducted in both directions.
• The proposed wording for the last condition to fulfil is more technology neutral, the case of automatic redeployment is also considered and banned.

Presentation of issues raised during discussions of the GRE Task Force on EMC requirements with regard to the application of several UN Regulations to trolley buses depending upon their configuration (e.g., dual-mode operation either connected to overhead cables or in standard bus mode).

Proposal to correct a cross-referencing error introduced in paragraph 7.7.9.1. of Annex 3 to Regulation 107 concerning textual markings (safety signs).

Proposal to delete the inclusion of the 75kg mass of a crew member from the definition of the mass of buses and coaches equipped with a crew member seat in order to align UN R107 with the definitions used in European Commission Regulation (EU) No. 1230/2012.

Proposal to introduce requirements for color contrast for signage and provisions for passengers with limited mobility. At its previous session (GRSG-112), GRSG approved a proposal by Germany (GRSG/2016/20) as revised in document GRSG-112-35 with the proviso that OICA would prepare a final document including transitional provisions for consideration at GRSG-113. Based upon the new general guidelines developed for Revision 3 of the 1958 Agreement, the new requirements would transition into application from September 2020 for new types of vehicles and September 2022 for all existing types.

Revised proposal to introduce requirements for color contrast for signage and provisions for passengers with limited mobility. Based upon the new general guidelines developed for Revision 3 of the 1958 Agreement, the new requirements would transition into application from September 2020 for new types of vehicles and September 2022 for all existing types.

Proposal to amend the transitional provisions in order to extend the use of the 06 and 07 series beyond 2022 for vehicles not affected by the 08 series of amendments (i.e., new interior fitting visual contrast requirements).

In 2008 WP.29 adopted document WP.29/2008/98 under Supplement 3 to the 02 series of amendments, deleting all marking requirements and transferring them to Annex 11. Nonetheless, Revision 4 of UN R107 as published on the UNECE website erroneously includes the deleted paragraphs. This proposal aims to correct that error.

Proposal to refine the provisions on the number and position of emergency exits of vehicles of Classes A and B. The transition from 05-series to 06-series of amendments is based on the final proposal of the Informal Group for Service Doors, Windows, and Emergency Exits (SDWEE) adopted by GRSG as document GRSG/2012/15. One of the consequences of the new wording is that, if one escape hatch is fitted, it must be positioned in the middle third of the passenger compartment. For Class A and B vehicles with sometimes short passenger compartments (< 3 m), this can be problematic because the middle third position can overlap with the position of the service door, close to which lateral roof reinforcements are necessary to provide structural stability and meet provisions of UN R66. Given that the exact position on shorter vehicles is of lower relevance than for long compartments, this proposal would provide latitude on the exact placement for Class A and B vehicles.

For escape hatches on buses of Classes A and B, proposal to allow a maximum length of 1600 mm equally spaced to cover the shortest vehicles, so the allowed space should be the maximum of either the third of the length or 1600 mm. This proposal will not affect the positioning requirements for any mid-sized and larger buses.

Revised proposal to allow an alternative positioning and spacing of escape hatches on buses of Classes A and B to address limitations for shorter vehicles.

Proposal seeks to remove reference to providing information in the vehicle handbook, so as to maintain current harmonised practices.

Proposal to clarify the obligations of the manufacturer in relation to the provision of information regarding the location and safe use of emergency exits and fire extinguishers