Proposal to introduce new requirements relating to Auxiliary Emission Strategies, cold engine starts and the use of Portable Emissions Measurement Systems (PEMS) to measure particle numbers.

17. The expert from Germany presented GRVA-07-63, introducing ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRVA/2020/32 with a proposal for amendments to UN Regulation No. [157] (ALKS), aimed at increasing the maximum speed (from 60 km/h to 130 km/h) for ALKS. She also introduced a second proposal (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRVA/2020/33) aimed at introducing provisions for ALKS performing lane changes. The experts from Austria, China, Denmark, European Commission, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Republic or Korea, Sweden and UK were rather supportive. They provided ideas and technical comments to improve the proposals. The expert from Switzerland opposed to the proposed speed increase (up to 130 km/h), stating that it would be counterproductive and as Switzerland was reviewing traffic rules based on the adopted 60 km/h. The experts from Japan, Canada and USA did not support the proposals and referred to FDAV as the reference document guiding the work of GRVA on automation. The expert from SAFE stated the need for a clear roadmap, mentioned the challenges for the Technical Services and the Approval Authorities with regards to Level 3 technologies and supported the comments from the European Commission regarding the need for a Regulation addressing Automation on motorways.

18. It was recalled that the expert from UK was working on a proposal for provisions for lane change during the minimum risk manoeuvre.

19. The expert from OICA presented GRVA-07-26, introducing a proposal for amendments to UN Regulation No. [157] (GRVA-07-31), aimed at extending the scope of the Regulation to heavy vehicles. They recalled that these vehicle categories were already in the scope of the activities of the former IWG on Automatically Commanded Steering Function (ACSF), which drafted UN Regulation No. [157].

20. GRVA noted that its work priorities on automation were defined by WP.29 in the FDAV. GRVA also noted that a number of Contracting Parties were willing to work on amendments to UN Regulation No. [157] and therefore decided to consult the Administrative Committee for the coordination of work (AC.2).

21. The expert from the Russian Federation introduced GRVA-07-07, highlighting some inconsistencies between the different parts of UN Regulation No. [157]. He mentioned discrepancies on the use of the term “system”. He questioned the need for Appendix 3 to Annex 4. He then introduced amendment proposal GRVA-07-06 on behalf of the European Commission and the Russian Federation. The expert from OICA responded to the proposal (GRVA-07-59). He also briefly introduced GRVA-07-30, proposing editorial changes to the Regulation and GRVA-07-21 with substantial amendments to the Regulations.

22. The Chair mentioned other informal documents (GRVA-07-27, GRVA-07-45, GRVA-07-56, GRVA-07-62 and GRVA-07-66), proposing amendments to UN Regulation No. [157] and invited the stakeholders to prepare a consolidated document with amendment proposals that could generate consensus at GRVA. Interested parties developed GRVA-07-69-Rev.1.

23. GRVA adopted the amendment proposals marked in green and yellow in GRVA-07-69-Rev.1 (see Annex III of the session report). GRVA requested the secretariat to correct the abbreviations, as appropriate, and to submit it without the text in read as supplement to UN Regulation No. [157], for consideration and vote by the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) its Administrative Committee for the 1958 Agreement (AC.1) at their March 2021 sessions.

24. Following the interpretation request by the expert from France (GRVA-07-39), GRVA agreed that ALKS should in principle detect “approaching emergency vehicles” as per traffic rules, noting that a definition of approaching emergency vehicles as well as other clarifications should be developed as soon as possible.

Proposal to improve the text with editorial clarifications and restructuring.

17. The expert from Germany presented GRVA-07-63, introducing ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRVA/2020/32 with a proposal for amendments to UN Regulation No. [157] (ALKS), aimed at increasing the maximum speed (from 60 km/h to 130 km/h) for ALKS. She also introduced a second proposal (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRVA/2020/33) aimed at introducing provisions for ALKS performing lane changes. The experts from Austria, China, Denmark, European Commission, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Republic or Korea, Sweden and UK were rather supportive. They provided ideas and technical comments to improve the proposals. The expert from Switzerland opposed to the proposed speed increase (up to 130 km/h), stating that it would be counterproductive and as Switzerland was reviewing traffic rules based on the adopted 60 km/h. The experts from Japan, Canada and USA did not support the proposals and referred to FDAV as the reference document guiding the work of GRVA on automation. The expert from SAFE stated the need for a clear roadmap, mentioned the challenges for the Technical Services and the Approval Authorities with regards to Level 3 technologies and supported the comments from the European Commission regarding the need for a Regulation addressing Automation on motorways.

18. It was recalled that the expert from UK was working on a proposal for provisions for lane change during the minimum risk manoeuvre.

19. The expert from OICA presented GRVA-07-26, introducing a proposal for amendments to UN Regulation No. [157] (GRVA-07-31), aimed at extending the scope of the Regulation to heavy vehicles. They recalled that these vehicle categories were already in the scope of the activities of the former IWG on Automatically Commanded Steering Function (ACSF), which drafted UN Regulation No. [157].

20. GRVA noted that its work priorities on automation were defined by WP.29 in the FDAV. GRVA also noted that a number of Contracting Parties were willing to work on amendments to UN Regulation No. [157] and therefore decided to consult the Administrative Committee for the coordination of work (AC.2).

21. The expert from the Russian Federation introduced GRVA-07-07, highlighting some inconsistencies between the different parts of UN Regulation No. [157]. He mentioned discrepancies on the use of the term “system”. He questioned the need for Appendix 3 to Annex 4. He then introduced amendment proposal GRVA-07-06 on behalf of the European Commission and the Russian Federation. The expert from OICA responded to the proposal (GRVA-07-59). He also briefly introduced GRVA-07-30, proposing editorial changes to the Regulation and GRVA-07-21 with substantial amendments to the Regulations.

22. The Chair mentioned other informal documents (GRVA-07-27, GRVA-07-45, GRVA-07-56, GRVA-07-62 and GRVA-07-66), proposing amendments to UN Regulation No. [157] and invited the stakeholders to prepare a consolidated document with amendment proposals that could generate consensus at GRVA. Interested parties developed GRVA-07-69-Rev.1.

23. GRVA adopted the amendment proposals marked in green and yellow in GRVA-07-69-Rev.1 (see Annex III of the session report). GRVA requested the secretariat to correct the abbreviations, as appropriate, and to submit it without the text in read as supplement to UN Regulation No. [157], for consideration and vote by the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) its Administrative Committee for the 1958 Agreement (AC.1) at their March 2021 sessions.

24. Following the interpretation request by the expert from France (GRVA-07-39), GRVA agreed that ALKS should in principle detect “approaching emergency vehicles” as per traffic rules, noting that a definition of approaching emergency vehicles as well as other clarifications should be developed as soon as possible.

5. The expert from IMMA proposed aligning UN Regulation No. 41 with standard ISO 10844:2014 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2020/18). GRBP adopted the proposal and requested the secretariat to submit it to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their March 2021 sessions as a draft Supplement 8 to the 04 series of amendments and as part of the new draft 05 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 41 (see para. 4 above). The expert of EC reiterated his view on the transitional provision about granting type approvals according to preceding series of amendments (GRBP-72-13).

4. Referring to Article 12, paragraph 4 of the 1958 Agreement, the expert from EC proposed a modification to the transitional provision on the possibility of granting type approvals according to the preceding series of amendments (GRBP-72-14). GRBP was informed that the expert of EC had transmitted a similar modification to amendment proposals to other UN Regulations under different agenda items (see paras. 5, 22 and 23 below). GRBP noted that this issue relates to the WP.29 Guidelines on Transitional provisions (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1044/Rev.2) and invited the expert of EC to bring it to WP.29 for consideration. GRBP also agreed to revert to this issue at its next session, if necessary.

11. The expert from France proposed a new definition of “radial tyre” (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2020/21 and GRBP-72-22), which was amended by the expert from EC (GRBP-72-24). The expert from Japan held the view that the proposal was not sufficiently clear. The expert of ETRTO pointed out that his organization would need technical justification to support the proposal. The Chair invited all experts concerned to internally re-discuss the proposal and to submit an updated document to the next session.

8. The expert of EC informed GRBP about progress of the study on the sound level limits of M- and N-category vehicles (GRBP-72-25). The expert from Japan thanked EC for sharing this information and pointed out that his country was also conducting a similar study.

3. GRBP considered a proposal for a new series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 41 which was submitted by the Informal Working Group on Additional Sound Emission Provisions (IWG ASEP) (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2020/9). The experts of the European Commission and Germany proposed new dates for the transitional provisions in paragraph 12 (GRBP-72-05). GRBP adopted the proposal as amended by Annex II of the session and requested the secretariat to submit it to WP.29 and the Administrative Committee (AC.1) for consideration and vote at their March 2021 sessions as a draft 05 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 41.

18. On behalf of IWG for Wet Grip on Worn Tyres (WGWT), the expert of ETRTO reported on their progress (GRBP-72-06) and introduced amendments to the IWG Terms of Reference (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2020/11). The expert of EC proposed to extend the IWG scope to C2 and C3 tyres (GRBP-72-02). The expert from ETRTO commented on this proposal (GRBP-72-26-Rev.1). Following a discussion, GRBP was not in a position to reach a consensus on the EC proposal and decided to come back to revision of ToR at the next session. Meanwhile, GRBP agreed to request WP.29 to extend the mandate of IWG WGWT until September 2021.