Archive
Jun 2020
Updates to ECE Regulation on Lighting Installation Adopted
At the 180th session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) in March 2020, an 07 Series of Amendments to UN ECE Regulation No. 48 on lighting installation were adopted. This new Series of Amendments introduces revised requirements on daytime running lamps and on the automatic switching between daytime running lamps and dipped beam headlamps to clarify their application. In line with the requirements introduced by EU Regulation No. 2019/2144 on General Safety, this new Series of Amendments also mandates the fitment of an emergency stop signal to all motor vehicles.
May 2020
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Proposes Revisions to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSSs) to Accommodate Automated Driving Systems (ADS)
In the March 30th Federal Register (Vol. 85; No.61) the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published a proposal to modify many of the 200 Series Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) to accommodate vehicles with Automated Driving Systems (ADS). The objective is to maintain current occupant protection performance, eliminate unnecessary barriers, keep current regulatory text structure and remain technology neutral. NHTSA has requested feedback for this proposal by May 29, 2020.
Apr 2020
Taiwan Delays the Introduction Dates for Certain New Safety Requirements
In January 2020, the Taiwanese Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) issued an updated version of their Motor Vehicle Safety Testing Regulations which included a number of amendments that delay the dates from which compliance with the latest safety requirements become mandatory. The requirements that are affected by these delayed introduction dates include those mandating the fitment of daytime running lamps, anti-lock braking systems (ABS), advanced emergency braking systems (AEBS), speed limiters, brake assist systems (BAS) and electronic stability control (ESC) systems.
Mar 2020
USDOT Expands Autonomous Vehicle Support and Requests Comments
The Office of the Secretary for the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) issued Automated Vehicles 4.0: Ensuring American Leadership in Automated Vehicle Technologies, and released a Request for Comments on the new document in the February 6, 2020 Federal Register. Part of the efforts covered in the document is to expand the scope to include 38 relevant US Government components. Also included in the report are 10 AV technology principles.
Feb 2020
New ECE Regulation on Blind Spot Information Systems Published
On January 13, 2020, a new United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) Regulation on Blind Spot Information Systems for the detection of bicycles, ECE Regulation No. 151, was published. This new Regulation applies to heavy trucks, i.e. N2 category vehicles with a GVW exceeding 8,000kg and all N3 category vehicles, and requires them to be fitted with a system which informs the driver when bicycles are in close proximity to the vehicle and warns the driver when a potential collision with a bicycle is detected.
Jan 2020
New EU General Safety Regulation Published
The long awaited new EU General Safety Regulation was finally published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 16th December 2019 as EU Regulation No. 2019/2144. This new Regulation repeals and replaces the existing EU General Safety Regulation, (EC) No. 661/2009, and requires the mandatory fitment of a number of new safety technologies, such as advanced emergency braking systems (AEBS), emergency lane keeping systems and driver drowsiness and attention detection systems.
Dec 2019
EU Regulation on Aerodynamic Devices for Trucks and Trailers Published
On November 12, 2019, a new EU Regulation was published which introduced amendments to EU Regulation No. 1230/2012 on the type approval requirements for masses and dimensions for motor vehicles and their trailers. This new Regulation, EU Regulation No. 2019/1892, introduces new provisions that allow buses, trucks and trailers to exceed the specified maximum permitted vehicle overall dimension limits when fitted with deployable aerodynamic devices (flaps) or, in the case of trucks, when fitted with an elongated cab having improved aerodynamic performance. This new Regulation also introduces provisions to allow for the separate technical unit type approval of deployable aerodynamic devices.
Nov 2019
NHTSA Issues an Advanced Proposal for the Addition of a Seat Belt Use Warning System for Rear Seats
On September 27, 2019 (FR Vol. 84 No. 188) the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) (Docket No. NHTSA 2019 - 0093). NHTSA proposes to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208 - Occupant Crash Protection to require a rear seat belt usage warning system. NHTSA is requesting public comments to a number of specific questions. Comments are due by November 26, 2019. This ANPRM continues a response to the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act of 2012. NHTSA initiated rulemaking in 2013.
Oct 2019
NHTSA Issues an NPRM to allow more Flexibility in the Pedestrian Alert Sounds of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (HEVs)
On September 17, 2019 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 141, Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (HEVs) to allow a number of driver-selectable pedestrian alert sounds in each HEV manufactured. This proposal responds to a Petition for Reconsideration submitted for the FMVSS No. 141 Final Rule published December 14, 2016.
Sep 2019
New EU Regulation on CO2 Emissions Targets for Heavy Duty Vehicles Published
On July 25, 2019, a new European Union Regulation specifying CO2 emissions reduction targets for heavy duty vehicles, EU Regulation No. 2019/1242, was published in the Official Journal of the European Union. This new Regulation requires heavy duty vehicle manufacturers to achieve a 15% reduction in average CO2 emissions from 2025 and a 30% reduction from 2030 or face fines for non-compliance. The Regulation also contains requirements to incentivise zero and low emission vehicles.