With the publication of the 03 series of amendments to ECE Regulation 48 on the installation of lighting and light signalling devices, the mandatory fitment of conspicuity marking (i.e. retro-reflective markings to indicate the overall dimensions of the vehicle) is introduced for certain categories of heavy vehicles.
Conspicuity marking is intended to improve road safety by allowing other road users to determine the overall size of heavy vehicles more readily during the hours of darkness. Within the ECE, discussions on the conspicuity marking of heavy vehicles began over 10 years ago and the ECE Regulation on the retro-reflective materials to be used for conspicuity marking (ECE 104) was published in 1998. However, it has taken until now to gain political and technical agreement of the mandatory installation requirements for such markings.
The new requirements define three types of conspicuity marking:
- Full contour marking- means a contour marking that indicates the outline of the vehicle by a continuous line.
- Partial contour marking - means a contour marking that indicates the horizontal dimension of the vehicle by a continuous line, and the vertical dimension by marking the upper corners.
- Line marking- means a conspicuity marking intended to indicate the horizontal dimension (length or width) of a vehicle by a continuous line.
Conspicuity marking is mandatory for goods vehicles with a gross vehicle weight greater than 7500 kg (i.e. N2 > 7500 kg GVW and N3 category vehicles) and for trailers with a gross vehicle weight greater than 3500 kg (i.e. O3 and O4 category vehicles). For such vehicles, full contour marking is mandatory for the rear of vehicles over 2100 mm wide and partial contour marking is mandatory for the sides of vehicles which are over 6000 mm in length. However, if the shape, structure, design or operational characteristics of the vehicle make it impossible to meet the applicable contour marking requirements, the vehicle may be fitted with line marking instead.
The implementation dates for ECE 48.03, and hence the dates from which the fitment of conspicuity marking become mandatory, are 10th October 2007 for new types of vehicle and 10th October 2009 for all new vehicles.