14. The GRVA Chair presented the proposal for amendments to Table 1 in the Framework Document on Automated/Autonomous Vehicles (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2024/33) reflecting the recent arrangements made for developing regulation on ADS under GRVA.

15. The representative of Canada offered to host the first leadership meeting of the IWG on ADS in Ottawa, Canada, on 26-27 March 2024. Separately, he called on industry and stakeholders to cooperate and support this workstream.

16. The representative of Japan hoped that the development of regulations on ADS would proceed according to the scheduled timeline.

17. The representative of China recalled their leadership efforts at GRVA level and IWG on Functional Requirements for Automated Vehicles (FRAV) level and committed to promote the activities of the IWG on ADS.

18. The representative of the United States of America expressed appreciation for the global cooperation initiated in that field.

19. The representative of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland looked forward to that process and committed to support the leadership effort.

20. The representative of OICA supported these activities and recalled their offer to provide secretariat support to the IWG, together with other organizations. The representative of CLEPA recalled that the effectiveness of the global requirements would depend on the proper transposition at national or regional level.

21. WP.29 noted that the IWG on ADS would be led by the representatives of Canada, China, European Commission, Japan, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America. WP.29 also noted that the secretariat services would be provided by the representatives of AAPC, OICA, JASIC and SAE International.

22. WP.29 adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2024/33.

23. The Chair of GRVA presented the proposal for a draft resolution with guidance on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the context of road vehicles, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2024/34, amended by WP.29-192-11. He detailed the main amendment agreed by GRVA at its January 2024 session, the modification of the title replacing the term “resolution” by “guidance document”, reflecting the current level of maturity of the document.

24. The representatives of Canada and the European Commission noted the value of the document but felt that no endorsement was necessary at this stage, as the document was to be considered as a living document following technical progress.

25. The representative of OICA confirmed that, by definition, this document would be a “living document” but nevertheless advocated for endorsement of the document as this would provide for a first foundation of guidance related to AI in the context of road vehicles.

26. The representative of ITU mentioned how important this topic was for WP.29 and he looked toward WP.29 on how it formally set what AI is going to do for vehicle technology and whether a new group under WP.29, possibly under the IWG on ITS, to lead the work on recommendations for AI in the context of vehicle technology.

27. The representative of the United States of America suggested that WP.29 note the importance of AI to the automobile industry, endorse the ongoing AI discussions underway in GRVA and note the ongoing work underway on a guidance document to provide further insight to regulators and stakeholders.

28. The Chair of GRVA acknowledged that this topic went potentially beyond the scope of GRVA. He asked whether the other GRs should be involved, and if GRVA should continue. To this, WP.29 could hold a workshop to further discuss the current document.

29. WP.29 requested the secretariat to distribute WP.29-192-11 with an official symbol at the next session and agreed to organize a workshop on AI in the context of vehicles prior to the 193rd session.

30. The representative of the Japan, Co-Chair of the IWG on ITS presented the status report of the group, focusing on the activities of the Vehicular Communication Task Force, as the IWG did not convene since November 2023. He also referred to informal document WP.29-192-13 providing draft vehicular communications definition and overview. He invited participants to send feedback to the secretariat of the task force prior to the next session scheduled on 26 March 2024. The representative of France agreed to send input and the representative of Germany suggested to the group to consider regulation.

31. The representative of France presented the status report of the taskforces dealing with the fitness of the WP.29 vehicle regulations for ADS (WP.29-192-17), mentioning the activities performed since June 2023, providing an update of the screening results and the priorities as well as a proposed timeline for the developments of the necessary amendments to the vehicle regulations. He provided an update (WP.29-192-18) to the report ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2023/86. He announced that the next update would be provided at the November 2024 WP.29 session. The representative of the European Union encouraged all the GRs to accelerate the process of screening and revision of UN Regulations under their purview with a view to mirror the ADS GTR/UN Regulation timeline. The representative of Canada thanked the Co-Chairs of the group. He further noted that such evaluation was important, prior to the establishment of regulations or conventions.WP.29 thanked the representatives of China and France for their leadership and welcomed the report.

32. The Chair of GRVA stated that the coordination effort by France and China was a good example of coordination among GRs that could be a basis for the upcoming work on AI in the context of vehicles.

33. The expert of Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer (RDW) of the Netherlands presented considerations on sustainability and automation (WP.29-192-10). He recalled, among others, the expected benefits of ADS and he drew the attention of WP.29 on potential drawbacks due to the emissions resulting from data processing required for example for vehicle automation (and electrification, even though in a lower magnitude). He detailed the outcome of a study of the University of Delft. He recommended that further empirical research be conducted, that GRPE and GRVA consider this matter and that the discussion includes the Inland Transport Committee (ITC) and WP.1.

34. The representative of the Russian Federation highlighted that the questions raised related to sustainability and automation would need to be carefully considered in line with the vehicle whole life compliance principles, recently adopted by WP.29.

35. The Chair of GRVA highlighted that automated and autonomous vehicles were indeed expected to improve safety, emissions and provide traffic congestion reduction benefits. He recalled the challenges related to mixed traffic within the next decades. He indicated that the envisaged joint activities between GRVA and GRPE had not yet materialized due to a lack of resources.

36. The Chair of GRPE highlighted the importance of looking at this emerging topic. He added that considering Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approaches was paramount to avoid cherry picking and to have a holistic vision of the impact of new technologies. He supported closer collaboration of GRVA and GRPE on this topic.

37. WP.29 agreed to transmit WP.29-192-10 to GRVA and GRPE for consideration.