The 20th ADS IWG and 17th GRVA Workshop on ADS convened in Bangkok from April 27 to May 1, 2026. OPIs consolidated draft text for the Guidance and Interpretation document (GID) on ADS, addressing DDT performance, application for approval, user interactions, SMS, ISMR, safety case, and assessment provisions. The GID would be submitted to GRVA in May and WP.29 in June as an informal document, then officially in September and November. Numerous amendment proposals were discussed, including clarifications on crash causation, priority vehicles, road safety agents, MRC requirements, remote assistance, and scenario testing. The next session in Brussels (July 14-17) aims to finalize the GID, with Phase 2 work items to be considered thereafter.

The agenda includes discussion of EDR Step 2 documents and EDR for ADS documents, review of action items and schedule of future meetings, and adjournment. Future meetings are scheduled for September 8, 2026, and October 6-8, 2026.

The agenda includes discussion of EDR Step 2 documents and EDR for ADS documents, review of action items and schedule of future meetings, and adjournment. Future meetings are scheduled for September 8, 2026, and October 6-8, 2026.

Proposal to amend UN R160:

• Amend definitions 2.8., 2.10., and 2.11. to clarify that automatically commanded steering function categories B2, D, and E are not part of a DCAS
• Delete definition 2.25.
• Amend definition 2.35. to simplify non-volatile memory
• Amend para. 2.45. to change service brake terminology
• Amend para. 2.51. to clarify time interval between events
• Amend para. 2.65. to abbreviate vulnerable road user
• Insert new definitions 2.71.–2.83. for rollover protection system, advanced emergency braking system, trigger activated, pre-event synchronization timer, blind spot monitoring system, emergency stop signal, turn signal, acceleration control for pedal error, advanced driver distraction warning system, driver drowsiness and attention warning system, driver control assistance system, and time to collision
• Restructure para. 5.3.1. to distinguish planar, VRU, and rollover events from AEBS events with specified triggers
• Amend para. 5.3.2. to clarify data locking conditions
• Restructure para. 5.3.3. to establish time zero for planar, VRU, rollover, and AEBS events
• Amend para. 5.4.3. to specify side and frontal collision tests
• Amend para. 6.1. to clarify post-crash acceleration measurement
• Insert transitional provisions 12.12.–12.16. providing that as from the official date of entry into force Contracting Parties shall not refuse type-approvals under the 03 series, as from 1 September 2031 or 2029 [date TBD] shall not accept type-approvals to preceding series first issued after that date, until 1 September 2033 shall continue accepting preceding series approvals first issued before 1 September 2031 or 2029 [date TBD], may grant approvals to preceding series, and shall grant extensions of existing approvals
• Amend Annex 4 Table 1 to split engine throttle and accelerator pedal data elements, increase sampling rates to 10 Hz, extend recording intervals for rollover events, add pre-event synchronization timer, trigger activated, ACPE status, ADDW status, DDAW status, blind spot monitoring status, turn signal status, DCAS status, DCAS driver monitoring system warnings, emergency stop signal status, and time to collision data elements, and modify footnotes accordingly

Regarding seat belt and airbag use, simulations show steering column intrusion leaves little survival space even at low speeds, so focus should first address energy absorption and compatibility issues before restraint systems. Impact data from six countries (Denmark, France, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Serbia, and the UK) suggest that in 963 bus driver fatalities and severe injuries, severity could potentially have been reduced with improved frontal protection. Cost-benefit analysis should include injuries to small vehicles in collisions with buses. UN R29 and UN R93 should be considered; UN R93 could be amended to include M₃ buses. A real-life demonstration test with a bus is proposed to validate studies conducted.