Archive
Jan 2015
European Union Proposes New Requirements on Real Driving Emissions
To address concerns that the real world emissions performance of light duty vehicles has not improved in line with the most recent reductions in the applicable type approval limits, especially regarding the emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from diesel engined vehicles, the European Commission are proposing an update to the EU Regulation on light duty vehicle emissions. This update would add real driving emissions (RDE) tests where the vehicle is driven on real roads, under real world driving conditions with the vehicle's exhaust emissions being measured by a portable emissions measurement system (PEMS) that is small and light enough to be fitted to the vehicle without it affecting the vehicle's performance.
Dec 2014
European Type Approval Requirements for Multi Stage Built Vehicles Updated
Although EC Directive 2007/46/EC on European type approval has always contained specific requirements for vehicles built in multiple stages, experience gained in the application of these requirements since European type approval became mandatory for non-M1 category vehicles has shown them to be inadequate. To address this situation, EU Regulation No. 1171/2014, which was published on 1st November 2014, amends the multi stage build requirements contained in 2007/46/EC to expand and more accurately define them.
Nov 2014
UN ECE Requirements on EMC for "Plug-in" Vehicles Updated
The 05 series of amendments to UN ECE Regulation No. 10 on electromagnetic compatibility were published on 16th October, 2014. This new series of amendments introduces requirements and test procedures for the testing of components used in the recharging system of vehicles with an external electrical recharging capability (i.e. battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) which are equivalent to the whole vehicle requirements and test procedures that were introduced by the 04 series of amendments.
Oct 2014
New Brazilian Resolution on Interior Material Flammability Published
In August 2014, a new Resolution on the flammability of interior materials was published by Brazil's National Traffic Council (CONTRAN). In this new Resolution, Resolution No. 498/2014, the applicability of the interior material flammability requirements has been extended to all types of motor vehicle, regardless of their seating capacity or GVW, and the maximum flame propagation rate has been reduced to 100 mm/min.
Sep 2014
The NHTSA Issues Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communications
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking which proposes to create a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 150 to require light vehicles to have Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication capability and to specify minimum performance requirements for V2V devices and messages.
Aug 2014
NHTSA Proposes to Remedy Two Issues by Publishing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Tire Identification and Recordkeeping
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to increase the manufacturer identifier portion of the tire identification number (TIN) from two to three symbols and to standardize the length of the TIN. The intent of this proposal is to increase the number of unique combinations of characters for identifying individual manufacturers of new tires and to eliminate confusion that could arise from variable length of TINs.
Jul 2014
New EU Regulation on Noise Emissions Published
New EU Regulation No. 540/2014 on the sound level of motor vehicles and of replacement silencing systems represents the most significant change in the European legal requirements on sound levels for almost 20 years.
Jun 2014
Global Technical Regulation on Light Vehicle Emissions Test Procedure Published
With its publication as Global Technical Regulation (GTR) No. 15 on 12th May 2014, the finalised worldwide harmonised light vehicle test procedure (WLTP) represents a major step towards the global harmonisation of the emissions and fuel consumption requirements applicable to light duty vehicles.
May 2014
NHTSA Issued Final Rule for Rear Visibility
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a Final Rule expanding the required field of view for all passenger cars, trucks, multipurpose passenger vehicles, buses, and low-speed vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of less than 10,000 pounds. NHTSA anticipates that today's Final Rule will significantly reduce backover crashes involving children, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and other pedestrians who currently have the highest risk associated with backover crashes.
Apr 2014
FHWA Issues Request for Information for Connected Vehicle Pilot Deployment Program
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking comments to help refine plans, for one or more pilot programs that combine connected vehicles and mobile device technology, to improve traveller mobility and system productivity, while reducing environmental impacts and enhancing safety. Procurement action is anticipated for one or more pilot deployment concepts in 2015. The FHWA is issuing this RFI in collaboration with, and on behalf of, the Department of Transportation (DOT) agencies: Federal Transit Administration, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology.