In response to concerns that approval agencies may not grant manufacturers the additional 1dB for L(wot) on conformity of production tests as changes had been made to Annex 6 of R41-04, GRB issued an interpretation recorded in the report of its 56th session. The proposal formalizes the interpretation as an explicit provision of the regulation.

Proposal to clarify the wording of the 03 series of amendments to UN R51 as adopted by the World Forum in June 2015 (document WP.29/2015/62). The adopted wording could lead to the interpretation that sound levels measured on the left side of the vehicle are to be averaged with levels measured on the right side of the vehicle. The proposed new wording clarifies that the overall sound emission is assessed individually per vehicle side.

Proposal for the establishment of a new UN Regulation governing the approval of audible vehicle alerting systems for quiet vehicles moving at low speeds. This proposal can be considered as the first phase of the regulation. In response to concerns raised by the World Blind Union, GRB agreed to extend the mandate of the informal working group that developed this text in order to consider further measures to address the WBU concerns.

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.

Discussion slides from the February 2016 REG58-QRTV informal group session.

Working draft proposal for the extension of the REG58-QRTV informal group mandate in order to address concerns raised by the World Blind Union regarding the draft UN Regulation. The current draft will be considered for adoption at the March 2016 World Forum session (document WP.29/2016/26); however, the WBU raised objections regarding the inclusion of a driver-operated pause switch and absence of a sound to signal when a vehicle is active, but stationary (i.e., in an operative mode at standstill) as well as concerns over the audibility of the proposed sound levels. The GRB has agreed that the informal group further consider and address these concerns.

While encouraged by the adoption of a uniform minimum sound alert standard, the WBU continues to believe that: 1) the proposed minimum sound standard is too low for safety; 2) the AVAS should remain on while the QRTV is active but stationary; and 3) the regulation should prohibit manufacturers from providing a means of pausing the alert sound.

Proposal from Turkey to establish requirements for audible systems to alert other road users when a vehicle is operating in reverse.

UN R51 specifies that conditioning of a silencing system is necessary only in cases where exhaust gases come into contact with silencer fibrous materials. This proposal would apply the same concept in L category noise regulations.

Explanation of recommendations developed for the European Commission by LAT, TNO, Heinz Steven, and TÜV Nord for the improvement of the regulations with regard to additional sound emission provisions.

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.

Comments on the draft Supplement 5 to UN R28.

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

Proposal to clarify the test procedure by explicitly excluding first gear where possible from the ASEP control range.

Presentation of related ISO activities and prospects for cooperation in the future development of UN R51 ASEP.

Based on the outcomes of a European Commission study, proposal to clarify the text and align its provisions with other vehicle sound regulations, especially UN R41, including to replace references to “two wheeled moped” with the term “L1 category vehicles” (and consequently to replace references to “moped” with “vehicle”) and to replace the term “noise” with “sound” (except for references to background noise) throughout the regulation.

Based on the outcomes of a European Commission study, proposal to clarify the text and align its provisions with other vehicle sound regulations, especially UN R41.

Proposal for a 01 series of amendments to the new UN Regulation on quiet road transport vehicles to prohibit the use of a pause function for the alert sound.

Proposal to clarify that conditioning of a silencing system is necessary only in cases where exhaust gases come into contact with silencer fibrous materials.

Proposal to clarify the test procedure by explicitly excluding first gear where possible from the ASEP control range and to clarify that conditioning of a silencing system is necessary only in cases where exhaust gases come into contact with silencer fibrous materials.

Proposal to clarify that conditioning of a silencing system is necessary only in cases where exhaust gases come into contact with silencer fibrous materials.

Proposal to specify that conditioning of a silencing system is necessary only in cases where exhaust gases come into contact with silencer fibrous materials.

Proposal to:
a) Align definitions and content with the other tyre regulations (UN Regulations Nos. 30, 54, 75 etc.);
b) Include a definition of “manufacturer” extracted from the resolution “R.E.3”;
c) Adopt a common definition and use of the terms “Manufacturer’s name”, “Brand name”, “Trademark”, “Trade description” and “Commercial name” and their links; and
d) Add information in the certificate to enable approval authorities to more easily understand the products the certificate addresses.

Presentation of issues raised during discussions of the GRE Task Force on EMC requirements with regard to the application of several UN Regulations to trolley buses depending upon their configuration (e.g., dual-mode operation either connected to overhead cables or in standard bus mode).

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.

Proposal to prohibit the use of a pause function for the acoustic vehicle alert system.

Proposal to update the provisions of Regulation No. 92 to a level at least equivalent to the corresponding provisions in the European Union legislation. The document proposes improved terminology and definitions, including new ones, improved sound emission testing conditions and procedures. It also introduces anti-tampering provisions and an “Additional sound emission provisions” (ASEP) statement by the manufacturer.

Based on the outcomes of a European Commission study, proposal to clarify the text and align its provisions with other vehicle sound regulations, especially UN R41.

Proposal to clarify the regulation with regard to propulsion of the vehicle (replace the term “travel”), definition of the “pause function” (including taking into account the Japanese proposal to prohibit the use of a pause function), and provisions for deactivating AVAS coding in accordance with local market requirements and under conditions outside the scope of the regulation.

Based on the outcomes of a European Commission study, proposal to clarify the text and align its provisions with other vehicle sound regulations, especially UN R41, including to replace references to “two wheeled moped” with the term “L1 category vehicles” (and consequently to replace references to “moped” with “vehicle”) and to replace the term “noise” with “sound” (except for references to background noise) throughout the regulation. It proposes improved terminology and definitions, including new ones, improved sound emission testing conditions and procedures. It also introduces sound emission measurement through new testing of in use vehicles in motion.

Proposal to correct the text where the word “tyres” was inadvertently omitted from Paragraph 2.1.

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

Proposal to refine the scope by replacing the phrase “can travel” by “can be propelled”. The use of “travel” in the scope can be interpreted to include vehicles using using electrical systems for purposes other than propulsion (e.g., energy recuperation) that fall outside the test conditions of UN R138. The proposal further amends:

1. Paragraph 2.7. to make clear the “pause function” refers to systems that allow the driver to deactivate an AVAS system;
2. Paragraph 6.2.6.: The vehicle operator shall not deactivate AVAS while driving. However, the manufacturer shall be enabled to activate or deactivate AVAS, including automatically, by regional coding according to legal provisions of various markets.
3. Paragraph 11.: the transitional provisions were added according to the rules of WP.29 for new series of amendments. Paragraph 11.6. has been added to maintain approvals that also comply with the new series of amendments, as is the case for vehicles that do not have a pause function according to the newly suggested paragraph 6.2.6.
4. Annex 1, Addendum to the communication form No …, Technical Information: technical information regarding “Pause switch (yes/no)” will be no longer necessary.

Proposal to clarify the text in order to avoid misinterpretation.

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

ISO update on noise testing standard

Proposal to update and clarify the text and to align the text with other UN Regulations and adopted proposals.

Presentation concerning the proposals to clarify and update the texts and to align their provisions and terms.

Objectives and procedures for an informal working group to further develop Annex 7 and otherwise improve UN R51.

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.

copy of the ISO proposal (document GRB-64-04) to clarify the text in order to limit the potential for misinterpretation, presented at the September 2016 GRB session.

Working draft for further refinements and clarifications to UN R51 under the auspices of the informal group on Additional Sound Emission Provisions.

OICA comments on the ISO proposals to clarify the provisions of Regulation No. 51, Revision 3, Annex 7.

Proposal to correct a type in Annex 7- Appendix 2, Part 2, Paragraph 5 where the snow group index should read “1.00”, not “100” as appeared erroneously in the adopted text.

Draft proposal from the informal working group on Additional Sound Emission Provision to clarify the current text pursuant to the first group session. The intention is to submit a final document as a formal proposal to the 65th GRB session.

ASEP flowchart pursuant to the first ASEP informal group session held during 7-8 November 2016.

ASEP informal group proposal to clarify UN R51 to address potential misinterpretation.

See document GRB-65-25 for detailed explanation.