Archive
Jun 2018
EU Proposes New Regulation to Repeal and Replace (EC) No. 661/2009
On 17th May 2018, the European Commission published a draft new EU Regulation that will repeal and replace EC Regulation No. 661/2009 on the type approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles, their trailers and systems, components and separate technical units intended therefor, more often referred to as the General Safety Regulation or GSR. This draft new Regulation updates the list of UN ECE Regulations that apply on a compulsory basis for EU type approval to include additional UN ECE Regulations on components and the latest UN ECE Regulations on occupant protection, i.e. ECE 135.01 on pole side impact and ECE 137.01 on full width barrier frontal impact. It also expands the scope of some existing UN ECE Regulations so that they apply to additional types of vehicle and requires the mandatory fitment of a number of new safety features, including intelligent speed assistance (ISA) systems, lane keeping systems, blind spot information systems and driver drowsiness and attention detection systems.
May 2018
The FMCSA issues a Request for Comments to Identify Regulatory Barriers to Introducing Automated Driving Systems on Commercial Motor Vehicles in Interstate Commerce
This month's Spotlight article highlights another opportunity for stakeholder input for revising current regulations and/or drafting new ones regarding autonomous vehicles. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently requested input regarding what actions need to be taken to avoid the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations from being a barrier to the evaluation and introduction of Automated Driving Systems on commercial vehicles. In addition to responses to specific questions, the FMCSA is seeking additional comments that manufacturers, owners, State partners, consumer groups, inspectors and others believe are important to consider when deploying these potential safety features.
Apr 2018
New Brazilian Resolution on Side Impact Protection Published
In January 2018, the Brazilian National Traffic Council (CONTRAN) published a new Resolution covering vehicle occupant protection requirements in the event of a side impact. This new Resolution applies to passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles pick-up trucks and vans, and requires compliance with requirements that are based on UN ECE Regulation No. 95 and US FMVSS 214.
Mar 2018
Draft ECE Regulation on International Whole Vehicle Type Approval (IWVTA) Adopted
In November 2017, at their 173rd session, the World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) finally adopted the new United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) Regulation, ECE Regulation No.0, on International Whole Vehicle Type Approval (IWVTA). This new Regulation, which represents a major step towards the global harmonisation of vehicle regulations, has recently been allocated a provisional entry into force date of 19th July 2018.
Feb 2018
The NHTSA and the FHWA Issue Requests for Comments / Information to Identify Regulatory Barriers to Introducing Automated Driving Systems
Automated Driving Systems (ADSs) are increasingly being tested and introduced onto the public roadways. Although predicted by most to save lives and decrease injuries from roadway accidents, these systems can complicate testing and certification to current Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). ADSs can be made more effective with infrastructure designed to meet certain requirements to enable consistent, safe vehicle operation. To this end, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) have both issued requests for input, on how to best address use of ADSs. These Request for Comments (RFC) and Request for Information (RFI), were both issued on 18 January 2018.
Jan 2018
EU Proposes Mandatory Fitment of Onboard Fuel Consumption Measuring Devices
On 12th December 2017, the European Commission published a draft Regulation proposing the mandatory fitment of onboard fuel consumption measuring devices to all light duty vehicles (i.e. M1 and N1 category vehicles). This draft Regulation also includes requirements on the information to be recorded and stored by the device, the accuracy of the data recorded by the device and the accessibility of the data stored on the device.
Dec 2017
EU Proposes Post 2020 CO2 Emissions Targets for Light Duty Vehicles
The European Commission have recently published a draft Regulation proposing average CO2 emissions targets to be applied to light duty vehicles for the period beyond 2020. This new Regulation would repeal and replace the current EU Regulations on average CO2 emissions targets applicable to both passenger cars and light commercial vehicles with effect from 1st January 2020 and proposes the introduction of CO2 emissions targets that are reduced by 15% from 2025 and by 30% from 2030.
Nov 2017
NHTSA and the U.S. DOT Update Voluntary Guidance Policy for Automated Vehicles
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are continuing their quest to support the introduction of automation technologies that hold the promise of fulfilling the NHTSA's mission of reducing the number of injuries and fatalities on our roads. After issuing Federal Automated Vehicles Policy (FAVP) in September 2016 and welcoming comments and feedback, they used that feedback to generate Automated Driving Systems 2.0 - A Vision for Safety in September 2017. They are again receiving written comments and have scheduled a public meeting for November 6th to directly receive feedback for further refinement of the guidance document for manufacturers and state governments.
Oct 2017
EU Updates Requirements on Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS)
EU Regulation No. 2017/1576, which was published on 19th September 2017, amends EU Regulation No. 540/2014 on the sound levels produced by motor vehicles to introduce new requirements on acoustic vehicle alerting systems (AVAS). The new requirements on AVAS introduced by this EU Regulation are aligned with, and in many instances specifically reference, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) Regulation No. 138 on quiet road transport vehicles (QRTV) with regard to their reduced audibility.
Sep 2017
ECE Clarifies Anti-Lock Brake System Deactivation Switch Requirements for Motorcycles
On 26th July 2017, an 04 series of amendments to United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) Regulation No. 78 covering the braking requirements for all L category vehicles was published. This series of amendments introduces some new requirements to specify the conditions where it is permissible to fit an anti-lock braking system deactivation switch and the operational requirements that such switches must comply with.