Working Party on Noise and Tyres | Session 78 | 30 Aug-1 Sep 2023
Geneva
Agenda Item 13.
Other business

38. GRBP noted that the Inland Transport Committee (ITC), at its February 2023 session, had decided to develop a climate change mitigation strategy and requested its subsidiary bodies for inputs (GRPE-89-06). WP.29, at its June 2023 session, had mandated its Working Party on Pollution and Energy (GRPE) to take the lead in preparing a coordinated WP.29 response and had requested other Working Parties (GRs) to send their contributions to GRPE. In turn, GRPE had established a task force on the ITC climate change mitigation strategy (GRPE-89-39). Following a brief discussion, the Chair invited experts to think over possible GRBP contributions to the strategy and to send their ideas to GRBP not later than 8 September 2023.

39. On behalf of the Special Interest Group on Automated Vehicles Regulation Screening (SIG AVRS), the expert from the Netherlands reported on their activities (GRBP-78-24). He pointed out that, as a matter of priority, SIG had decided to consider UN Regulations Nos. 28, 51 and 138 with the intention to amend them preferably with supplements. GRBP invited all experts to join the work of SIG AVRS.

40. GRBP noted that the secretariat had received a letter from the Civil Association Anti-Noise Environmental Monitor on the possible incompatibility between the sound limits for buses of UN Regulation No. 51 and the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) (GRBP-78-25). Stressing on its constant efforts to reduce the sound limits in UN Regulation No. 51, GRBP pointed out that the noise level figures in UN Regulation No. 51 and the WHO guidelines were not directly comparable for the following reasons:

  1. different distances from the sound source;
  2. the WHO guidelines operate with average noise levels while UN Regulation No. 51 refers to peak noise levels;
  3. the tests of UN Regulations No. 51 include acceleration at wide open throttle which is uncommon in real bus traffic.

41. GRBP noted that Ms. F. Silvani and Mr. M. Tyagi of OICA would no longer participate in GRBP, due to their new functions. GRBP thanked them for their valuable contributions and wished them success in the future.

Documentation
GRBP-78-24 GRBP AVRS: Progress report on screening of regulations for application to ADS vehicles
GRBP-78-25 UN R51 and WHO maximum noise levels (MAA)
GRPE-89-06 Development of the ITC Strategy on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in inland transport
GRPE-89-39 Proposal for GRPE contribution to ITC climate-change mitigation strategy