A report into the UNECE regulations and how they can affect driving assistance features on more technologically advanced vehicles in the United Kingdom.
In Progress
We're running a report into ADAS, ALKS and the planned DCAS regulations created by the UNECE and the safety, dangers and limitations of the regulations on roads in the United Kingdom.
We are using test vehicles to gather data and test certain driving-assistance and active safety features, all of which are type-approved and are regulated under UNECE Regulation 79.
This report is taking a look into how ADAS, ALKS and DCAS systems could be used to help reduce the high number of road deaths each year but allowing more control by driver-assistance features currently bound by ECE regulations.
We're using Tesla Model 3s for our ADAS testing and reporting. If you're wondering why we selected Tesla for our report, we've explained how the limitations affected their Autopilot software below.
In 2019, new European Tesla Model 3s that were being delivered didn't have Autopilot activated due to Tesla's Autopilot being found in violation of ECE Regulation 79. In update 2019.16, Model S and Model X vehicles were being updated to have their Autopilot functionality limited. It was limited in the following countries; Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, The Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Monaco, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and The United Kingdom.
All these countries are bound by ECE Regulation 79, which regulates standards for type approval of steering equipment including driving assistance features. Tesla had to limit the steering angle that Autopilot is able to engage at, reflecting section 5.6.4.4 of Regulation 79 which limits the maximum lateral acceleration allowed by a Level-2 ADAS driving assistance systems to 3 meters per second squared. Tesla also limited their 'Auto Lane-Change' feature so that it must complete a lane change within five seconds of initialising, which tracks the requirements for such "Category C" systems in "M1" vehicles as laid out in section 5.6.4.6.5. Section 5.6.1.2.7 of R79 also limits the range of a "Remote Controlled Parking" system to 6 meters, which is why Summon only works when the phone is connected via Bluetooth. The vehicles are allowed to move up to 20 meters however.
Tesla's Autopilot can be considered to be one of the most advanced ADAS systems available on UK roads and due to their OTA (Over-the-air) software capabilities, we chose Tesla for our ADAS testing and reports. We did look at other manufactures but most of them couldn't roll out OTA software updates which were able to change driving behaviours whereas Tesla can - which is why they had to roll out an update to limit functionality.
As with any report, the progress is purely dependent on the local regulatory entities, the data available and what we're reporting on. You can see a timeline for this report below
Report planning started
We've started planning a report on UNECE Regulation 79.
28th September 2021
Requested information on regulations from regulatory entity
We've requested information on the UNECE Regulation 79 from the regulatory entity.
26th October 2021
Requested information on regulations from undisclosed vehicle manufacturers UK entity
We've requested information from an undisclosed vehicle manufacturer in relation to their regulatory limitations.
27th October 2021
Received information on regulations from undisclosed vehicle manufacturers UK entity
We've received information in relation to a previous request for information.
19th November 2021
Received information on regulations from regulatory entity
We've received information in relation to a previous request for information.
23rd November 2021
Provisional reporting started
We've started provisional testing for the report.
16th July 2022
Provisional reporting completed
We've finished provisional testing for the report.
10th August 2022
Initial request created
An initial request outlines our requirements to complete a report. This is usually sent to the local government or authority.
13th August 2022 — View Document (Unavailable)
Initial request to regulatory entity
An initial request has been made to the local regulatory entity in charge of the subject at hand.
24th August 2022
Regulatory entity has requested further information
The local regulatory entity in charge of the subject at hand has requested further information.
25th August 2022
Initial request submitted to regulatory entity
The initial request document has been delivered to the local regulatory entity in charge of the subject at hand.
25th August 2022
Requested further infromation from undisclosed vehicle manufacturers UK entity
We've requested further information from an undisclosed vehicle manufacturer in relation to their ADAS system.
1st September 2022
Followed up on initial request to regulatory entity
We've followed up after delivering the initial request document.
1st September 2022
Meeting with the regulatory entity
We had a meeting with the local regulatory entity about the report.
2nd December 2022
Reporting and testing continued
We have now continued with the reporting and testing required for this report.
14th December 2022
During an active report, we try to be as transparent as possible so we'll share any documentation we can. You'll be able to see our documents, correspondence and updates.
Mon - Fri — 9am - 5pm
Mon - Sun — 8am - 8pm