Proposal to enable application of UN R55 to vehicles of categories X and Y and vehicles with a manual mode operating at speeds above 6 km/h equipped with an Automated Driving System, insert footnote 1 defining these vehicle categories, amend Annex 5 paragraph 7.4. to require that release of fifth wheel coupling locking devices require intentional action by the driver or operator or by ADS and that engagement status be transmitted as a logic signal to ADS, amend paragraph 10.4. to require that engagement status be transmitted as a logic signal to ADS, amend paragraph 13.2. to reference remote indication for the driver or operator, amend paragraph 13.2.8. to provide for automatic reactivation when the coupling is next opened and closed, amend paragraph 13.3.3. to clarify indication to the driver or operator of conditions under which external force acts on the coupling, and insert new paragraph 13.4. requiring transmission of a logic signal to ADS indicating at least the closed and doubly locked position of the coupling.

Proposal for the GRSG task force on Automated Vehicles Regulation Screening to address ADS vehicles, including the exemption of vehicles of subcategories X and Y from provisions concerning manual driving controls. No special provisions or exemptions apply to other ADS vehicles (unless provided for under other requirements for the safety of ADS vehicles).

Correction to the summary description: “It is based on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2023/18”.

Proposal to clarify the need to have a support device for centre axle trailers, independent of the type of coupling device.

Proposal to require a support device for centre axle trailers, independent of the type of coupling device.

Proposal to clarify the need to have a support device for centre axle trailers, independent of the type of coupling device.

Proposal to correct cross-references. The paragraph 3.3. of Annex 6 is “Drawbar couplings and draw beams” and the paragraph 3.6 is “Drawbars”. Subparagraphs 3.6.1.–3.6.3. prescribe the tests of the drawbars.

Proposal to correct cross-references. The paragraph 3.3. of Annex 6 is “Drawbar couplings and draw beams” and the paragraph 3.6 is “Drawbars”. Subparagraphs 3.6.1.–3.6.3. prescribe the tests of the drawbars.

Proposal from GRSG to correct the omission of a Corrigendum to remove a subparagraph under paragraph 12.1 in UN R55.

Proposal from GRSG to remove a subparagraph under paragraph 12.1 that should not have been included in Revision 2 of the Regulation.

Corrects the cross-reference to the correct text. The paragraph 3.3. of Annex 6 is “Drawbar couplings and draw beams” and the paragraph 3.6 is “Drawbars”. Subparagraphs 3.6.1.–3.6.3. prescribe the tests of the drawbars

Amends provisions of Annex 5 para. 12.1.

Proposal removes a subparagraph under paragraph 12.1 that should not have been included in Revision 2 of the Regulation.

Proposal to correct an erroneous cross-reference regarding drawbars of Class E.

Proposal to clarify that flexible components providing part of an articulation are not considered to be a special joint.

Proposal to clarify the interpretation of wording for the articulation provided by flexible components.

List of items approved during the remote GRSG July session but subject to confirmation via absence of objections following the session. Under the “silence procedure”, if a Contracting Party expresses dissent, the GRSG approval is nullified.

GRSG to approve the text prepared by the expert from the Finland to update the provisions on mechanical couplings. The text clarifies the interpretation of wording for the articulation provided by flexible components.

Proposal to specify that "the motor-vehicle’s user instructions (e.g. owner’s manual, vehicle handbook) shall clearly specify that the removable or repositionable mechanical coupling device shall always be removed or repositioned when it is not in use.” The purpose is to comply with an EU General Safety Regulation provision that prohibits couplings from obscuring rear lighting components or registration plates.

Proposal to clarify that the term “special joint” does not include flexible components supporting coupling articulation (as is pertinent to Class C50 couplings).

Proposal to add a line for restrictions on the use of Class T couplings to the type-approval communication form.

Revised text with transitional provisions for the proposal (GRSG/2019/6) to specify that "the motor-vehicle’s user instructions (e.g. owner’s manual, vehicle handbook) shall clearly specify that the removable or repositionable mechanical coupling device shall always be removed or repositioned when it is not in use.” The purpose is to comply with an EU General Safety Regulation provision that prohibits couplings from obscuring rear lighting components or registration plates.

Proposal to improve the communication document. The current wording of item 2 in Annex 1 is redundant with item 3 and not aligned with similar texts (UN R58 or R73). The key point of item 2 is to identify the type of device or component approved.

Proposal to improve the communication document. The current wording of item 2 in Annex 1 is redundant with item 3 and not aligned with similar texts (UN R58 or R73). The key point of item 2 is to identify the type of device or component approved.

Proposal to add the text, “In such a case, the motor-vehicle’s user instructions (e.g. owner’s manual, vehicle handbook) shall clearly specify that the removable or repositionable mechanical coupling device shall always be removed or repositioned when it is not in use.”

Proposal to correct Revision 2 of UN R55 to align with the text of Supplement 04 to 01 series of amendments. This proposal removes a subparagraph under paragraph 13.1 that should not have been included in the Revision.

Proposal to clarify the treatment of extensions of existing approvals under the new transitional provision guidelines (“Until 31 December 2019, Supplement 5 and Supplement 7 to the 01 series of amendments to this Regulation may not apply to extensions of approvals that were originally granted prior to the entry into force of Supplement 5 and Supplement 7.”)

Proposal to add the text, “In such a case, the motor-vehicle’s user instructions (e.g. owner’s manual, vehicle handbook) shall clearly specify that the removable or repositionable mechanical coupling device shall always be removed or repositioned when it is not in use.”

Proposal to correct Revision 2 of UN R55 to align with the text of Supplement 04 to 01 series of amendments. This proposal removes a subparagraph under paragraph 13.1 that should not have been included in the Revision.

Annex 1 of UN R55 concerns the type approval communication form. Item 9.3. requires information “For Class A mechanical coupling devices or components, including towing brackets”. Poland proposes to add “if applicable” to the description in order to avoid interpretations that brackets must be part of the approval (i.e., the approval may concern the coupling ball without additional attachments).

Annex 1 of UN R55 concerns the type approval communication form. Item 9.3. requires information “For Class A mechanical coupling devices or components, including towing brackets”. Poland proposes to add “if fitted” to the description in order to avoid interpretations that brackets must be part of the approval (i.e., the approval may concern the coupling ball without additional attachments).

Proposal to correct Revision 2 of UN R55 to align with the text of Supplement 04 to 01 series of amendments. This proposal removes a subparagraph under paragraph 13.1 that should not have been included in the Revision.

Proposal for:

1. An amendment for the separation of the procedures to verify towable mass from the procedure of setting and certifying performance values;
2. An amendment that adds procedures to verify towable mass for vehicle combinations that have hitherto not been accounted for in the Regulation;
3. Amendments that adds integrated fixing points for secondary couplings;
4. An amendment that clarifies the procedure to identify worst cases for certification testing;
5. Amendments that removes typos in the current Regulation.

Addition, based on document GRRF/2016/32, to the package of amendments developed by the informal working group on UN R55 (document GRRF/2017/3). The proposal aims to make clear to Technical Services and Authorities that in cases where no values for the maximum permissible towing vehicle and trailer masses and the maximum permissible static vertical imposed load on the tow device are declared by a vehicle manufacturer or where the declared maximum vertical value is zero, approval shall be refused.

Proposed addition, based on document GRRF/2016/32, to the package of amendments developed by the informal working group on UN R55 (document GRRF/2017/3). The proposal aims to make clear to Technical Services and Authorities that in cases where no values for the maximum permissible towing vehicle and trailer masses and the maximum permissible static vertical imposed load on the tow ball are declared by a vehicle manufacturer or where the declared maximum vertical value is zero, approval shall be refused.

Presentation to explain the rational behind the proposal of a new Annex 8 to the R55 introduced in the working document GRRF/2017/03.

UN R55 informal group proposal for:

1. An amendment for the separation of the procedures to verify towable mass from the procedure of setting and certifying performance values;
2. An amendment that adds procedures to verify towable mass for vehicle combinations that have hitherto not been accounted for in the Regulation;
3. Amendments that adds integrated fixing points for secondary couplings;
4. An amendment that clarifies the procedure to identify worst cases for certification testing;
5. Amendments that removes typos in the current Regulation.

Amendment to the proposal from the UN R55 informal group to allow the fitment of a secondary coupling and/or a brake away cable for un-braked O1 trailers or inertia braked trailers up to 3.5t which are equipped with class B coupling heads and class S drawbar eyes (38 mm, 40 mm, and others) and for the related use of integrated towing brackets.

Corrections to the proposal by the informal working group on Regulation No. 55 concerning vehicle combination applications to introduce:
(a) An amendment for the separation of requirement calculation procedures from the procedure of setting and certifying performance values.
(b) An amendment that adds procedures for requirement calculation for vehicle combinations that have hitherto not been accounted for in the Regulation.

Revised proposal superseding document GRRF/2016/31. Proposals in GRRF/2016/31 to regulate the articulation angles of couplings as installed have been removed. The informal group on UN R55 could not reach agreement on this subject. As a result, this revised proposal by the informal working group on Regulation No. 55:
a) Corrects an error in Annex 5, figures 12 and 17; and
b) Introduces an amendment concerning identification of worst cases for design assessment.

Explanation of proposals from the informal working group for corrections, restructuring, and amendments to UN R55.

Comments concerning failure modes in the event of a separation of the main coupling between a vehicle and a towed trailer in order to enable the trailer to be guided and/or stopped automatically.

Proposal from the UN R55 informal group to allow the fitment of a secondary coupling and/or a brake away cable for un-braked O1 trailers or inertia braked trailers up to 3.5t which are equipped with class B coupling heads and class S drawbar eyes (38 mm, 40 mm, and others) and for the related use of integrated towing brackets.

Proposal by the informal working group on Regulation No. 55 concerning vehicle combination applications to introduce:
(a) An amendment for the separation of requirement calculation procedures from the procedure of setting and certifying performance values.
(b) An amendment that adds procedures for requirement calculation for vehicle combinations that have hitherto not been accounted for in the Regulation.

Proposal by the informal working group on Regulation No. 55 and introduces a procedure to identify allowable combinations of performance values DC and V for drawbar coupling equipment.

Proposal by the informal working group on Regulation No. 55 to introduce:
a) Correction of an error in Annex 5, figures 12 and 17;
b) An amendment that concerns identification of worst cases for design assessment;
c) Clarifications on minimum articulation angles.

Proposal to restrict component type-approval for mechanical coupling devices dedicated to category M1 vehicles to use only on such M1 vehicles as are designed to tow trailers.

Working draft amendment to UN R55 to introduce:

• An amendment that concerns a separation of requirement calculation procedures from the procedure of setting and certifying performance values.
• An amendment that adds procedures for requirement calculation for vehicle combinations that have hitherto not been accounted for in the regulation.

Proposal to introduce a procedure to identify allowable combinations of performance values DC and V for drawbar coupling equipment.

Proposal to introduce amendments on the secondary coupling and the attachment points.

Proposal to introduce amendments on the secondary coupling and the attachment points.

UN R55 informal group working draft to introduce:

• Correction error in annex 5 figure 12 and 17
• An amendment that concerns identification of worst cases for design assessment
• Clarifications on minimum articulation angles.

Proposal to introduce amendments on the secondary coupling and the attachment points.

Working draft amendment to UN R55 to introduce:

• An amendment that concerns a separation of requirement calculation procedures from the procedure of setting and certifying performance values.
• An amendment that adds procedures for requirement calculation for vehicle combinations that have hitherto not been accounted for in the regulation.

UN R55 informal group working draft to introduce:

• Correction error in annex 5 figure 12 and 17
• An amendment that concerns identification of worst cases for design assessment
• Clarifications on minimum articulation angles.

Copy of the proposal by Poland to amend UN R55 to ensure that coupling devices are only approved for use on vehicles approved for towing trailers.

Draft proposal to introduce amendments on a procedure to dimension coupling equipment for heavy transports through speed reduction.

Draft proposal to introduce amendments on a procedure to dimension coupling equipment for heavy transports through speed reduction.

Proposal to introduce a procedure to identify allowable combinations of performance values DC and V for drawbar coupling equipment.

Proposal to ensure that coupling balls do not block rear lighting and/or registration plates.

Draft text to introduce provisions for minimum articulation of couplings in order to prevent damage from maneuvers that exceed coupling capacities.

Correspondence concerning the French position on this work item.

Information on TAAM discussions concerning cases where the sum of the mass of the towing vehicle (M) [T] and the mass of the towed vehicle (TM) [R or C] is higher than the maximum combination mass (MC) set for the towing vehicle.

Working draft proposal of the UN R55 informal group for a uniform procedure to rate couplings for extreme heavy transport configurations based upon a speed-reduction method. The intent is to address conditions where there are no coupling products with appropriate certified performance values.

Proposal for a higher vertical load for drawbar couplings with a jaw that pivots about the horizontal transverse axis.

Draft proposal of the informal group on UN Regulation No. 55 to modify Figure 17 – annex 5 – Dimensions of spring-mounted steering wedges.

Proposal to introduce provisions for minimum articulation of couplings in order to prevent damage from maneuvers that exceed coupling capacities.

Working draft proposal of the R55 informal group to introduce amendments concerning:
(a) Identification of worst cases for design assessment, and
(b) Procedures for COP.

Proposal to require the installation of a message routing function (per ISO 11992) on trailers that are:

• equipped with more than one brake electronic control unit,
• equipped with an electric control, and
• towing a trailer.

At the May 2015 Type Approval Authorities Meeting (TAAM), Poland raised concerns (attached with this submission) over small M₁ vehicles being equipped with aftermarket coupling devices where the vehicle in question is not designed for towing a trailer. In effect, these vehicles are not permitted to tow trailers, but are nonetheless enabled to be equipped for such a purpose by the aftermarket devices. Therefore, Poland proposes to amend UN R55 to ensure that coupling devices are only approved for use on vehicles approved for towing trailers.

One of the outcomes of the work on updating UN R55 was the recognition that agricultural couplings present a set of challenges distinct from other vehicles. This revised proposal takes into account comments received during the February 2016 GRRF session for the establishment of an informal working group to develop a new regulation (UN R55-A) to respond to the specific needs of agricultural vehicle couplings.

Revised proposal to ensure that coupling balls do not block rear lighting and/or registration plates. In line with the EU General Safety Rule, Annex IV specification for application of UN R55, couplings that might block lighting or plates must be removable, repositionable, and unlockable in order to make it easier for users to remove them or reposition them when not in use (e.g., towing a trailer.) Coupling balls that are so designed as to be unable to block lighting or plates may still incorporate locks and/or require tools to remove or reposition.

Pending requests and future items for changes to UN R55.

Proposal as developed by the UN R55 informal group during its 12th session. This proposal concerns a procedure to identify allowable combinations of performance values Dc and V for drawbar coupling equipment. This proposal would amend the Revision 2 proposal for UN R55.

Revised proposal developed by the UN R55 informal group to introduce provisions for mechanical couplings used in modular vehicle combinations (e.g., rigid truck + dolly + semi-trailer) presently not addressed within the regulation.

Proposed text for determining worst case conditions for physical testing of couplings.

Informal group schedule for finalizing amendments to update UN R55.

Revised version of document GRRF-80-41 pursuant to the 12th UN R55 informal group session. GRRF-80-41 was the revised formal proposal to GRRF to update UN R55 with respect to:
a) Requirements on remote indication,
b) Availability of information on coupling fixing points for A50X couplings,
c) On lateral strength of drawbars, and
d) a new class definition for fully automatic drawbar couplings.

Proposal from the informal group on UN Regulation No. 55 to introduce provisions for coupling applications in multi-vehicle combinations ( e.g. rigid truck + dolly + semi-trailer) presently not addressed by the regulation.

Further refinements from the informal group on UN Regulation No. 55 to introduce provisions for modular vehicle combinations (e.g., rigid truck + semi-trailer + dolly). This proposal concerns a procedure to identify allowable combinations of performance values Dc and V for drawbar coupling equipment.

Quick review of the informal group’s anticipated schedule for completing its work on updating the regulation on mechanical couplings.

One of the outcomes of the work on updating UN R55 was the recognition that agricultural couplings present a set of challenges distinct from other vehicles. Therefore, Germany proposes the establishment of an informal working group to develop a new regulations (UN R55-A) to respond to the specific needs of agricultural vehicle couplings.

Proposal to allow for a vertical load up to 80 kg for drawbar coupling designs with a jaw that pivots about the horizontal transverse axis because such configurations are commonly used in fire trucks and other special use vehicles in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Chronology summarizing the discussions held on agricultural coupling requirements under UN R55 since 2011.

Proposal as prepared by the UN R55 informal group and approved by the GRRF to update UN R55 with respect to:
a) Requirements on remote indication;
b) Availability of information on coupling fixing points for A50X couplings;
c) On lateral strength of drawbars; and
d) a new class definition for fully automatic drawbar couplings.

UN R55 does not include provisions for minimum articulation angles of couplings. However, couplings may be damaged if a vehicle combination takes a narrow curve or other maneuver that exceeds the coupling design. In order to prevent coupling failures, this proposal suggests minimum articulation requirements based partly upon ISO 1726-1 and 11407 for drawbar and fifth wheel couplings.

Updated version of the text following the 11th R55 informal group session and highlighting the changes

Updated version of the draft consolidated revision of UN R55 following the 11th R55 informal group session.

Draft proposal under development within the R55 informal group.

Proposal under preparation for the GRRF by the R55 informal group. This proposal concerns a procedure to identify allowable combinations of performance values Dc and V for drawbar coupling equipment. This proposal would amend the Revision 2 proposal for UN R55.

The text reproduced below was prepared by the experts of the informal group on UN Regulation No. 55 and introduces amendments on:
a) Requirements on remote indication;
b) Availability of information on coupling fixing points for A50X couplings;
c) On lateral strength of drawbars;
d) Includes a new class definition for fully automatic drawbar couplings.

List of pending proposals for the update to UN R55 from GRRF participants.

Australia Road Research Board (ARRB) Internal Report related to ISO/TC22/SC15/WG4 N 535 Annex 5.

WABCO comments concerning communication between vehicles, power supply redimensioning, and vehicle stability requirements (including use of electronic vehicle stability control systems).

Australian research paper suggesting that an air-suspended tandem converter dolly could pitch significantly under braking as compared to mechanically suspended dollies.

Working draft of the comprehensive update to UN R55 from the Informal Group on Amendments to UN R55.01.

E-mail communication between the WP.29 secretariat and the UN R55 revision informal group proposing the drafting of a new consolidated version of the amended regulation incorporating all the informal group changes.

Revised drawings prepared for the informal working group amending the regulation.

Presentation to explain the historical background behind the work of ISO/TC22/SC15/WG4 and the UN R55 informal working group.

Review of the development of ISO 12357-3.

History of discussions concerning the D-value on modular vehicles and combinations with more than one trailer.

Text as approved by the GRRF and prepared by the UN R55 informal group to update this regulation with respect to:
a) Requirements on remote indication,
b) Availability of information on coupling fixing points for A50X couplings,
c) On lateral strength of drawbars, and
d) a new class definition for fully automatic drawbar couplings.

Proposal to ensure that coupling balls do not block rear lighting and/or registration plates. In line with the EU General Safety Rule, Annex IV specification for application of UN R55, couplings that might block lighting or plates must be removable, repositionable, and unlockable in order to make it easier for users to remove them or reposition them when not in use (e.g., towing a trailer.) Coupling balls that are so designed as to be unable to block lighting or plates may still incorporate locks and/or require tools to remove or reposition.