75. The Chair of GRSG presented two new UN Regulations, UN Regulation No. [166] on Vulnerable Road Users in Front and Side Close Proximity (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2022/139) and UN Regulation No. [167] on Vulnerable Road Users (VRU) Direct Vision (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2022/140/Rev.1). He highlighted that the proposal in document, ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2022/139 aimed to enhance driver awareness, e.g. with devices including mirrors and/or camera monitor systems, making that regulation technology neutral. For the document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2022/140/Rev.1, he noted that the proposed new UN Regulation allows for better views on trucks to address the risks posed to VRUs. The World Forum considered the proposals under agenda items 4.13.1 and 4.13.2 and recommended their submission to AC.1 for voting.

76. The representative of the Republic of Korea made a statement regarding agenda item 4.13.1. He noted that the Republic of Korea was taking various measures to prevent traffic accidents involving vulnerable road users, such as lowering urban speed limits, enforcing drivers to make a full stop at a crosswalk regardless if pedestrians are present, and extending AEBS requirements to all vehicles including passenger cars.

77. He added that the proposal for the new UN Regulation was going to enhance drivers’ awareness of vulnerable road users at the front and sides of vehicles and it was anticipated to help reducing accidents involving pedestrians.

78. He further highlighted that, in a similar way, the Acceleration Control for Pedal Error (ACPE) proposed at the fourteenth GRVA meeting would help preventing accidents caused by drivers’ mistakes. He concluded that the Republic of Korea fully supported the proposal and was going to actively participate in the discussion group.

79. The representative of the European Union informed WP.29 that the European Union would not mandate UN Regulation No. [166] for the purpose of the EU whole vehicle type approval.

14. The expert of the Russian Federation informed GRSG that a proposal to amend the new UN Regulation No. XXX (Vulnerable Road Users (VRU) in Front and Side Close Proximity) (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2022/139) was not yet available.

5. The Chair of WP.29 then introduced Mr M. Notsu, Director-General for Engineering Affairs in the Road Transport Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in Japan, who gave a presentation on “Challenges for Transportation.” He indicated three respective priorities of his administration from the perspective of safety and the environment: for safety, (i) protecting pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users; (ii) preventing serious accidents involving the elderly; and (iii) automated driving; and for the environment, (i) establishing fuel efficiency standards; (ii) promoting and spreading next-generation vehicles; and (iii) visualizing CO2 emissions over the entire life cycle of vehicles. He looked forward to WP.29 evolving into a more attractive forum for the international harmonization of vehicle regulations, and expected the number of Contracting Parties to the 1958 and 1998 Agreements to continue to increase. He stated that Japan had been playing an important role such as Vice-Chair of AC.3 and Vice-Chair of GRVA, and will continue contributing to the further development of WP.29. Finally, he announced that Japan would hold the 27th International Technical Conference on Enhanced Safety Vehicle (ESV2023) in Yokohama, Japan in collaboration with NHTSA of the US from April 3rd to 6th next year, and called on WP.29 colleagues to attend the conference in Japan.

24. The expert from Japan introduced, through presentation (GRSG-123-17), the new draft UN Regulation on awareness of VRU-Proxi who are in the front and lateral side proximity of vehicles (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2022/6 and GRSG-123-18 amending it).

25. GRSG adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2022/6 as amended by annex VI to the report. The secretariat was requested to submit the proposal as the draft new UN Regulation No. XXX (VRU in Front and Side Close Proximity) to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their November 2022 sessions. The expert from EC welcomed the proposal and clarified that this new UN Regulation would not become mandatory in the European Union in the near future, but most likely in a farther future.

26. GRSG agreed to consider a proposal of amendment (supplement/new series of amendments) at its October 2022 session, announced by the expert of the Russian Federation, to the new UN Regulation No. XXX (VRU in Front and Side Close Proximity).

24. The expert from Japan introduced, through presentation (GRSG-123-17), the new draft UN Regulation on awareness of VRU-Proxi who are in the front and lateral side proximity of vehicles (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2022/6 and GRSG-123-18 amending it).

25. GRSG adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2022/6 as amended by annex VI to the report. The secretariat was requested to submit the proposal as the draft new UN Regulation No. XXX (VRU in Front and Side Close Proximity) to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their November 2022 sessions. The expert from EC welcomed the proposal and clarified that this new UN Regulation would not become mandatory in the European Union in the near future, but most likely in a farther future.

26. GRSG agreed to consider a proposal of amendment (supplement/new series of amendments) at its October 2022 session, announced by the expert of the Russian Federation, to the new UN Regulation No. XXX (VRU in Front and Side Close Proximity).

24. The expert from Japan introduced, through presentation (GRSG-123-17), the new draft UN Regulation on awareness of VRU-Proxi who are in the front and lateral side proximity of vehicles (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2022/6 and GRSG-123-18 amending it).

25. GRSG adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2022/6 as amended by annex VI to the report. The secretariat was requested to submit the proposal as the draft new UN Regulation No. XXX (VRU in Front and Side Close Proximity) to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their November 2022 sessions. The expert from EC welcomed the proposal and clarified that this new UN Regulation would not become mandatory in the European Union in the near future, but most likely in a farther future.

26. GRSG agreed to consider a proposal of amendment (supplement/new series of amendments) at its October 2022 session, announced by the expert of the Russian Federation, to the new UN Regulation No. XXX (VRU in Front and Side Close Proximity).