Summary report discussing implications for developing a commercial passenger bus event data recorder (EDR) standard, focusing on the feasibility of equipping heavy vehicle event data recorders (HVEDRs) in motorcoaches, buses and school buses.

Proposal to amend ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRVA/2020/34 and informal document GRVA-09-36

76. GRVA received an oral report from the expert from the Republic of Korea regarding the development of an amendment proposal to UN Global Technical Regulation (GTR) No. 8 (GRVA-12-13).

77. GRVA noted that following discussions, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRVA/2022/12 and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRVA/2020/34 were withdrawn by the experts from Canada and the Republic of Korea, respectively.

30. GRSP considered the informal evaluation of the ad hoc group of experts of the technical merits of study from Sweden on female occupants. The expert from Sweden explained that the ad hoc group was trying to have a better identification and understanding of the problem, therefore she proposed the establishment of an informal working group and provided terms of reference in GRSP-70-01. The expert from the United States of America informed GRSP that she had participated in only the first meeting of the ad hoc group because the ad hoc group had not complied with the mandate given by WP.29 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1159, paras. 22 and 58), i.e., collect and review data to determine if there is a merit to Sweden’s claim. GRSP agreed that the ad hoc group of experts could continue to review existing research/share ongoing research and if GRSP determines that there is enough evidence to address this issue, an IWG may be established.

Request for additional data and information in the event of a future, similar, proposal under the 1998 Agreement, which would require ensuring compatibility with other enforcement systems.

15. The experts from France and EC introduced an updated proposal for the new definition of “radial tyre” (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2021/9). The same definition was also proposed for UN Regulations Nos. 54, 75, 106, 108 and 109 ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2021/10. The experts from Canada and the United States of America raised a number of questions on the proposal (GRBP-74-07) and pointed out that they had started consultations with the authors. GRBP invited the stakeholders, in liaison with ETRTO, to continue discussions and agreed to come back to the proposal at the next session.

46. The Chair of IWG on EVE presented the status report introducing the latest activities of the group (GRPE-83-29). He detailed the latest activities with respect to in-vehicle battery durability as reflected in the latest draft of the UN GTR (see para ‎45).

47. The representative from OICA supported the extensive efforts done to finalize the draft UN GTR and agreed to leave some provisions still open (such Part A and B family definitions) even though some common agreements had been reached in recent meetings.

48. Given the importance and urgency to deliver on this new UN GTR, the Chair proposed GRPE to hold an additional GRPE session in the fall of 2021 so that the draft UN GTR could be considered and voted upon during the March 2022 session of WP.29. Following some interactions with the secretariat, the dates of 12 or 22 November 2021 afternoon were proposed.

49. The representatives from Canada, France, South Africa, Sweden, UK, USA and EC supported the proposal for an additional GRPE session and opted for the 12 November 2021.

50. The Chair of the IWG on EVE introduced draft updated terms of reference and rules of procedure for the IWG on EVE (GRPE-83-30) and announced GRPE a final version would be presented to GRPE at the additional November 2021 session.

This document discusses the feasibility of equipping heavy vehicle event data recorders (HVEDR) in motor coaches, buses and school buses and seeks feedback from interested parties on developing an UN regulation governing their requirements.

96. The expert from Canada, Co-Chair of IWG on EDR/DSSAD, presented the activities of the IWG concerning Heavy Vehicle Event Data Recorders (HVEDR), which discussed the feasibility of equipping HVEDR in motor coaches, buses and school buses, outlined research carried out in Canada in this respect and consequential recommendations, and sought feedback from interested parties on developing an UN Regulation governing their requirements (GRSG-121-28).

97. The expert from the Netherlands, Co-Chair of IWG on EDR/DSSAD, thanked the expert from Canada for sharing the research findings and expressed interest in further exchange or information and research findings concerning the application of HVEDR at the upcoming sessions of the IWG.

98. The expert from the United States of America, Co-Chair of IWG on EDR/DSSAD, also thanked the expert from Canada for sharing the findings of research carried out and looked forward for further discussions within the IWG, underlining that the United States of America could not support an initiative for drafting of a UN Regulation concerning HVEDR as there was no national mandate for such an activity at the time.

99. GRSG took note of the discussion concerning HVEDR and the work of the IWG on EDR/DSSAD in this respect, and expressed support for continued work on the subject matter based on consensus among Contracting Parties.