35. AC.2 reviewed a proposal from the Chair of GRVA to cluster the activities on automation into the following groups: (a) data management, (b) functional requirements, (c) visualisation systems and (d) vehicle safety assessment. AC.2 noted the proposal but decided that this issue should be discussed by WP.29 as part of the broader discussion on priorities for GRVA under item 2.3. of the agenda (see WP.29-176-28).

37. A part of the work of the former IWG on ITS/AD had been taken over by the newly established GRVA. AC.2 recommended that the activities of the former IWG that had not been integrated into GRVA were continued, i.e. to provide an inclusive platform for exchange and cooperation on intelligent transport systems with other international organization such as the ITU, the International Road Federation (IRF) and ITS bodies.

38. AC.2 agreed that the IWG on ITS would not convene during the week of the 176th session of WP.29. Instead, AC.2 recommended WP.29 delegates to attend the ITS flagship event on 4 December 2018 and the Future Networked Car event, planned to take place on 7 March 2019, during the Geneva Motor Show.

39. AC.2 noted that the coordination between WP.1 and WP.29, as requested in Decision No.13 of the eightieth session of the Inland Transport Committee (ITC), had materialized by the setting up of a WP.1-WP.29 Executive Task Force (ETF). Inter alia, ETF is preparing a joint WP.1-WP.29 event on the occasion of the eighty-first session of ITC, on 18 February 2019.

51. The Chair of GRVA introduced WP.29-176-28 which sets out the priority areas on which GRVA should focus. He explained that the document was based on WP.29-175-29 submitted jointly by Japan and the European Union. He reminded the World Forum of his consultation with the WP.29 delegations and explained that document WP.29-176-28 was an attempt to summarize the responses into strategic issues. He described several detailed topics such as cyber security and automated steering where discussions were well advanced but also mentioned ongoing discussions on the functional requirements of automated vehicles and consideration of a new approach to assessing their performance. He invited delegates to provide comments on his proposed list by mid-December 2018.

52. The representative of the Netherlands noted that WP.29-176-28 did not provide a general framework but that it specifically addressed GRVA activities. The Chair of WP.29 confirmed that the framework does indeed contain activities beyond those of GRVA.

53. The representative of CLEPA presented WP.29-176-24. He expressed full support to the new structure and encouraged WP.29 to effectively discuss the organization of automated vehicle related work. He stressed the need to complete the work of the IWG on Automatically Commanded Steering Function (ACSF).

54. The representative of the Russian Federation, Co-Chair of the IWG on Periodic Technical Inspection (PTI), proposed to note that work items related to requirements for automated vehicles in use, including PTI are important. The Chair confirmed that WP.29 considered this work as important and noted the activities, e.g. in IWG PTI.

55. The representative of ITU stated the need to consider the interaction of conventional vehicles with automated vehicles in traffic. The Chair of GRVA confirmed that GRVA was already considering it.

56. The representatives of Japan, the United States of America and the European Union thanked the Chair of GRVA for his proposal. They considered the general approach was appropriate, but advised that the World Forum should return to this issue in March 2019 once GRVA had considered this item again at its second session in January 2019. The delegate from China explained that he could not formally confirm his Government’s support for the proposals but would consult his experts. He sought clarification on how he could contribute before the December deadline. WP.29 welcomed a proposal from the secretariat to collate delegation’s contributions provided they are received by Friday 15 December 2018 (send to francois.guichard@un.org). Thereafter, as proposed by the GRVA Chair, a videoconference would be held before the end of 2018, involving those delegation which had contributed written comments. WP.29 noted that the objective was to prepare a document for consideration at WP.29 and at AC.3 in March 2019 following review by GRVA at its second session.

57. The representative of China presented the position of his country on the organization and future work planning of GRVA reflected in WP.29-176-30, which was well received by WP.29.

58. The representative from Japan introduced WP.29-176-29 presenting Japan’s position on how to consider innovative validation method for safety of automated vehicle. He presented the outline of the Japanese guideline for safety technology for automated vehicles as well as considerations on how the safety evaluation should be discussed at GRVA. WP.29 noted with interest this presentation.

59. The representative of the World Blind Union stated the importance of the work on driverless vehicles as it could change the lives of millions of visually impaired persons. He mentioned the potential of these products: these vehicles could open new transport options and increase employment, education, or conditions of living of blind persons, etc. He highlighted the possible activities that would address the needs of the vision impaired community: appropriate human machine interface for interactions, including in case of emergency situations, or in case of events outside of the vehicle causing the vehicle to stop. He mentioned that, as these vehicles would likely park themselves, a means of helping to find the vehicles would be necessary. WP.29 noted the importance of considering these aspects in due time due to the huge potential for increasing individual mobility for impaired people.

61. Due to lack of time, WP.29 could not review documents WP.29-176-16 and WP.29-176-17. The representative of OICA proposed that the documents are reviewed at the next session of GRVA.

77. GRSG questioned the need for an ambassador on the International Whole Vehicle Type Approval (IWVTA) and preferred to nominate a new GRSG ambassador on vehicle automation to ensure, in future, a good exchange of views and coordination under this new agenda item.

134. The Secretary of WP.1 informed WP.29 about activities of mutual interest for the WPs. He provided information on the progress in harmonizing lighting provisions in the 1968 Vienna Convention and the UN Regulations on lighting annexed to the 1958 agreement, stating that relevant amendment proposals would be ready for adoption by the March or September 2019 sessions of WP.1.

135. The representative of the WP.1 informed the World Forum about the adoption of the “Global Forum on Road Traffic Safety (WP.1) Resolution on the deployment of highly and fully automated vehicles in road traffic” (ECE/TRANS/WP.1/2018/4/Rev.1).

136. The Secretary of WP.1 further informed WP.29 about two papers that are expected to be completed and presented at the March 2019 session of WP.1, providing advancement on:

1. Issues dealing with situations when the driver operates the vehicle from outside;
2. Activities other than driving, in automated vehicles of level three and higher.

137. He recommended WP.29 to consult WP.1 informal document No. 9 (2018) submitted by the European Transport Safety Council, titled “Literature Review on the Impact of Task Activity on Takeover from Automated Driving”.
138. He further informed WP.29 that the Secretary of WP.1 recognized the need for additional amendments to the 1968 Convention related to the use of highly automated vehicles.
139. He informed WP.29 that WP.1 had celebrated the 50-year anniversary of the 1968 Agreement on 8 November 2018.

140. He mentioned the activities of ECE related to the United Nations Trust Fund on Road Safety, that $15 million had been contributed thus far, and invited delegations and stakeholders that would wish to make contribution to the fund to contact him or the Director of the Sustainable Transport Division.

141. The representative of Finland, as the Ambassador of WP.29 to WP.1 recommended that WP.29 review the WP.1 resolution to avoid inconsistencies between WP.1 work and WP.29 activities. He explained that he would no longer attend WP.29 or WP.1 for the time being and that WP.29 may wish to consider a successor.

142. The World Forum thanked and commended Mr. E. Asplund for his dedicated work.

143. The WP.1 secretary invited members of the World Forum to actively participate in the joint WP.1-WP.29 event on 18 February 2019 (see para. 39 above)

182. The representative of Japan introduced WP.29-176-31, which incorporates the comments of other contracting parties into former WP.29-175-29 that was distributed at its June 2018 session, concerning the priorities on new items, particularly those to be developed by GRVA (see agenda item 2.3, paras. 51-61 of this report).