During the 19th session

• OICA commented on LEON-T project reports regarding tyre and powertrain noise contributions.
• The European Environment Agency presented findings on transport noise exposure affecting over 100 million Europeans.
• Norway presented a proposed 95 dB(A) noise limit for stationary vehicles under UN R51.
• France proposed amending UN R28 to introduce soft audible warning devices for M and N category vehicles.
• The task force suspended its cross-matrix activity and postponed discussion of L-category vehicles to the next session.

Results of the review of proposals for UN Regulations R28, R51, R64, R138, R141, R142, and R165 regarding autonomous vehicle readiness. Key findings include: inconsistent Mass in Running Order definitions between R51 and R138 versus RE3; unclear special testing provisions in R64, R138, and R165; need for clarification on ADS optical and logical signal transition in R64; redundant full definitions from RE3 in multiple proposals should reference RE3 via footnote instead; inconsistent ADS activity terminology across R64, R141, and R165 should be standardized; incorrect Category Y references in R51 Table 2; and definition and spelling errors in R51, R138, R141, and R165.

Proposal to amend UN R28 to add definitions for “Front plane,” “Automated Driving System (ADS),” “Dynamic Driving Task (DDT),” “Bi-directional vehicle,” and “Forward direction” in new paragraphs 11.3–11.7; add new paragraph 14.1.3 requiring separate sound pressure measurement for each front plane of bi-directional vehicles; amend paragraph 14.3.3 to specify measurement at 7.00±0.10 m from the front plane; and amend footnote 1 to paragraph 1 to reference ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.8.

CLIV is developing a new UN Regulation for vehicle categories M1, M2, M3, and N1 in Phase 2. The draft regulation requires visual and audible external warnings upon detection of a child left in a vehicle. Visual warnings use direction indicator lamps flashing in SOS morse code pattern for at least 15 seconds, then off for no more than 30 seconds, repeating for at least 10 minutes. Audible warnings must exceed 60dB(A) following the same timing pattern. The IWG requests guidance on potential amendments to UN R48, UN R28, and UN R165.

Proposal to replace ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRBP/2025/23

A proposal to meet the objective to reduce noise pollution (particularly in towns) and to be able to warn pedestrians, cyclists and others of the vehicle’s arrival with the least possible discomfort.

Proposal from the GRBP task force on Automated Vehicles Regulation Screening to enable application of UN R28 to ADS vehicles.

Proposal for amendments to enable the application of UN R28 to ADS vehicles.

Transmitted by the experts of TF-AVRS for amendments to take automated vehicles into considerations

Proposal for a reference document concerning a general approach for how to handle measurement uncertainties under UN Regulations within the purview of GRBP.

Proposal to define “electronic” as a “principle of operation by electric or electro-magnetic force with amplifier and speaker or resonator”.

Proposal to define “electronic” as a “principle of operation by electric or electro-magnetic force with amplifier and speaker or resonator”.

Proposal to introduce a definition for “Electronic” to mean a principle of operation by electric or electro-magnetic force with amplifier and speaker or resonator in order to address new technologies enabling a driver-actuated audible signal of the presence of a vehicle in a dangerous traffic situation.

Information on back-up accidents in Korea and proposal for scope and content of new requirements for reversing warning alarms.

Netherlands proposal in response to the initiative from Germany and Japan to standardize and limit the sound emission from Reversing Alarms (documents 64-05, 64-06, 65-06 and 65-07) to amend the requirements, including the use a “white noise alarm” instead of a “tonal noise alarm”.

Presentation of Turkey’s proposals for revering audible warning devices, including provisions for multiple sound levels and pause functions.

Draft proposal to incorporate provisions for reverse audible warning devices for [M2], [N2], N3 and M3 vehicles.

Proposal to pursue harmonization of reversing alarm requirements through the establishment of a new UN Regulation in order to promote safety and address noise concerns.

Proposal to update and clarify the regulation. The proposal refines definitions, removes the “AWD” abbeviation for “audible warning device” to avoid confusion with its more common use for “all wheel drive”, modifies some administrative communications, and proposes three-direction acoustic measurements. The proposal also aims to structure the regulation to enable its application to additional sound warning devices not presently regulated at the international level, excluding acoustic vehicle alerting systems (AVAS) which will be subject to a separate regulation on minimum vehicle sound levels.

Proposal as agreed within the GRB to update and clarify the regulation. The proposal refines definitions, removes the “AWD” abbeviation for “audible warning device” to avoid confusion with its more common use for “all wheel drive”, modifies some administrative communications, and proposes three-direction acoustic measurements. The proposal also aims to structure the regulation to enable its application to additional sound warning devices not presently regulated at the international level, excluding acoustic vehicle alerting systems (AVAS) which will be subject to a separate regulation on minimum vehicle sound levels.

Draft proposal to incorporate provisions for audible signals when a vehicle is in reverse gear, including specifications relative to ambient noise levels.

Proposal for editorial improvements to document GRB/2016/4 intended to update and restructure UN R28.

Proposal to update, clarify, and restructure document GRB/2016/4 which aims to refine definitions, remove the “AWD” abbeviation for “audible warning device” to avoid confusion with its more common use for “all wheel drive”, add T category agricultural vehicles to the scope, modify some administrative communications, and add three-direction acoustic measurements. The proposal also aims to structure the regulation to enable its application to additional sound warning devices not presently regulated at the international level, excluding acoustic vehicle alerting systems (AVAS) which will be subject to a separate regulation on minimum vehicle sound levels.

Proposal to update and clarify the regulation. The proposal refines definitions, removes the “AWD” abbeviation for “audible warning device” to avoid confusion with its more common use for “all wheel drive”, adds T category agricultural vehicles to the scope, modifies some administrative communications, and proposes three-direction acoustic measurements. The proposal also aims to structure the regulation to enable its application to additional sound warning devices not presently regulated at the international level, excluding acoustic vehicle alerting systems (AVAS) which will be subject to a separate regulation on minimum vehicle sound levels.

Presentation from CATARC proposing improvements to the test procedures under UN R28.

Comments on the draft Supplement 5 to UN R28.

Proposals to modify the draft Supplement 5 to UN R28:

On new para. 14.3.6.: editorial clarification. (The purpose of fixing the height should be restricted for taking measurement in a particular test.)

On para. 6.2.1.1. and para. 6.2.1.3.: Since sound level meters on the market don’t meet the latest standard yet, IMMA proposes to use same IEC standard as in ECE R51.03: IEC 61672-1:2002.

Further refined version of the proposal (incorporating comments received during the 62nd GRB session) in document GRB/2016/2 intended to update and clarify the regulation. The proposal refines definitions, removes the “AWD” abbeviation for “audible warning device” to avoid confusion with its more common use for “all wheel drive”, adds T category agricultural vehicles to the scope, modifies some administrative communications, and proposes three-direction acoustic measurements. The proposal also aims to structure the regulation to enable its application to additional sound warning devices not presently regulated at the international level, excluding acoustic vehicle alerting systems (AVAS) which will be subject to a separate regulation on minimum vehicle sound levels.

This proposal was made after consultations with OICA in order to provide for consistency in terminology used and to match the drawing in Annex 4 with the modified
provisions. The added word “warning“ is underlined.

Overview of discussions for the future development of vehicle noise regulations prepared by the GRB secretariat.

Proposal to update and clarify the regulation. The proposal refines definitions, removes the “AWD” abbeviation for “audible warning device” to avoid confusion with its more common use for “all wheel drive”, adds T category agricultural vehicles to the scope, modifies some administrative communications, and proposes three-direction acoustic measurements. The proposal also aims to structure the regulation to enable its application to additional sound warning devices not presently regulated at the international level, excluding acoustic vehicle alerting systems (AVAS) which will be subject to a separate regulation on minimum vehicle sound levels.

Presentation on China’s international noise standards working group activities and program for future development of vehicle noise and silencing system durability requirements.

Proposal to amend the draft Supplement 5 to the UN R28. The draft supplement aims to refine definitions, removes the “AWD” abbeviation for “audible warning device” to avoid confusion with its more common use for “all wheel drive”, adds T category agricultural vehicles to the scope, modifies some administrative communications, and proposes three-direction acoustic measurements.

Comments on the draft Supplement 5 to the UN R28. The draft supplement aims to refine definitions, removes the “AWD” abbeviation for “audible warning device” to avoid confusion with its more common use for “all wheel drive”, adds T category agricultural vehicles to the scope, modifies some administrative communications, and proposes three-direction acoustic measurements.

Proposal for corrections to the draft Supplement 5 to the regulation. The draft supplement aims to refine definitions, removes the “AWD” abbeviation for “audible warning device” to avoid confusion with its more common use for “all wheel drive”, adds T category agricultural vehicles to the scope, modifies some administrative communications, and proposes three-direction acoustic measurements.

Table of potential areas for future GRB work prepared during an informal meeting held in Paris during 2-3 July 2015.

Proposal to update and clarify the regulation. The proposal refines definitions, removes the “AWD” abbeviation for “audible warning device” to avoid confusion with its more common use for “all wheel drive”, adds T category agricultural vehicles to the scope, modifies some administrative communications, and proposes three-direction acoustic measurements.

Proposal to allow vehicles to be run at idle during the test procedures and to change the minimum sound level requirement for vehicles of category M and N and motorcycles of a power greater than 7 kW from 93 dB to 87 dB.

Proposal to update and clarify the text of UN R28.

Review of vehicle horn regulations across various markets towards assessing the minimum sound level of 87 dB(A) under UN R28.

The current UN R28 test procedures specify voltages that cannot be reached by many vehicles’ internal battery charges alone; however, the provisions can be met if the vehicle is warmed up and run at idle. Therefore, OICA proposes to allow vehicles to be run at idle during the test procedure. OICA also proposes to change the minimum sound level requirement for vehicles of category M and N and motorcycles of a power greater than 7 kW from 93 dB to 87 dB.

Proposal (revised from its earlier version) to allow horn sound level testing with the engine running and lower the sound pressure level requirement for light-duty vehicles from 93 dB (A) to 90 dB (A).

Proposal to allow horn sound level testing with the engine running and lower the sound pressure level requirement for light-duty vehicles from 93 dB (A) to 90 dB (A).

Text prepared by the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA) in order to introduce the concept of “revision of approvals” in the regulations under GRB responsibility.

Table prepared by OICA highlighting various elements in the consideration of noise in UN Regulation Nos. 9, 28, 41, 51, 59, 63, 92, and 117.