Delegated regulation 2017/1576 - Amendment of Regulation 540/2014 as regards the Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System requirements for vehicle EU-type approval - Main contents

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 239/3

Regulation (EU) No 540/2014 lays down requirements for the EU type-approval of all new vehicles of categories M (vehicles used for the carriage of passengers) and N (vehicles used for the carriage of goods) with regard to their sound level. That Regulation also lays down measures concerning the Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) for hybrid electric and pure electric vehicles, aiming at the warning of vulnerable road users.

Following the adoption, at the 168th session of the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), which took place on 8 — 11 March 2016, of UN Regulation 138 on the approval of quiet road transport vehicles, Annex VIII to Regulation (EU) No 540/2014 should be reviewed in order to improve the accuracy of the AVAS requirements on type and volume of emitted sound, the sound generation method, the pause switch and stationary sound.

The information document pursuant to Annex I to Directive 2007/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (2) relating to EU type-approval of a vehicle with respect to the permissible sound level and the addendum to the EU type-approval certificate should be reviewed to reflect the detailed requirements on AVAS.

In addition, to allow for the approval of hybrid electric and pure electric vehicles which are equipped with AVAS, it is appropriate to introduce testing requirements on the AVAS sound emission minimum levels in forward and reverse motion as well as on the emitted sound frequency shift.

Regulation (EU) No 540/2014 should therefore be amended accordingly.

Given that Regulation (EU) No 540/2014 has become applicable on 1 July 2016 and that it cannot be fully applied without the amendments to Annex VIII included in this act, this Regulation should enter into force as soon as possible,

Annex I is amended as follows:

Annex VIII is replaced by the text in the Annex to this Regulation.

in any vehicle type approved before 1 July 2019;

in any new vehicle based on the type referred to in point (a) before 1 July 2021.

in any vehicle type approved before 1 July 2019, where the manufacturer so chooses;

in any new vehicle based on the type referred to in point (a);

in any vehicle type approved on or after 1 July 2019;

in any new vehicle based on the type referred to in point (c);

in any new vehicle on or after 1 July 2021.

Sound generation method

The AVAS shall automatically generate a sound in the minimum range of vehicle speed from start up to approximately 20 km/h and during reversing. Where the vehicle is equipped with an internal combustion engine that is in operation within the vehicle speed range defined above, the AVAS shall not generate a sound.

For vehicles having a reversing sound warning device, it is not necessary for the AVAS to generate a sound whilst reversing.

Switch

The AVAS shall be fitted with a switch which is easily accessible by the vehicle driver in order to allow engaging and disengaging. Upon restarting the vehicle, AVAS shall default to the switched on position.

Attenuation

The AVAS sound level may be attenuated during periods of vehicle operation.

The sound to be generated by the AVAS shall be a continuous sound that provides information to the pedestrians and other road users of a vehicle in operation. The sound should be easily indicative of vehicle behaviour and should sound similar to the sound of a vehicle of the same category equipped with an internal combustion engine.

The sound to be generated by the AVAS shall be easily indicative of vehicle behaviour, for example, through the automatic variation of sound level or characteristics in synchronisation with vehicle speed.

The sound level generated by the AVAS shall not exceed the approximate sound level of a vehicle of the M1 category equipped with an internal combustion engine and operating under the same conditions.

Sound generation method

The AVAS shall automatically generate a sound in the minimum range of vehicle speed from start up to approximately 20 km/h and during reversing. Where the vehicle is equipped with an internal combustion engine that is in operation within that vehicle speed range, the AVAS shall not generate a sound.

Vehicles having overall sound levels complying with the requirements in paragraph 6.2.8 of UNECE Regulation No 138 (1) with a margin of +3 dB(A), are not required to be equipped with AVAS. The requirements laid down in paragraph 6.2.8 of UNECE Regulation No 138 for one-third octave bands and the requirements laid down in paragraph 6.2.3 of UNECE Regulation No 138 for the frequency shift as defined in paragraph 2.4 of the same UNECE Regulation (“frequency shift”) shall not apply to those vehicles.

For vehicles having a reversing sound warning device, it is not necessary for the AVAS to generate a sound whilst reversing, on condition that the reversing sound of the warning device complies with the requirements laid down in the second subparagraph of paragraph 6.2 and in paragraph 6.2.2 of UNECE Regulation No 138.

The sound generated by the vehicle type submitted for approval shall be measured in accordance with the methods set out in Annex 3 and subparagraphs 6.2.1.3 and 6.2.2.2 of UNECE Regulation No 138.

Switch

The AVAS may be fitted with a mechanism to enable the driver to halt the operation of an AVAS (“pause function”), which is easily accessible by the vehicle driver in order to allow engaging and disengaging. Where a pause function is fitted, the AVAS shall default to the switched on position upon restarting of the vehicle.

In addition, the pause function shall comply with the requirements laid down in paragraph 6.2.6 of UNECE Regulation No 138.

Attenuation

The AVAS sound level may be attenuated during periods of vehicle operation. In those cases, the AVAS sound level shall comply with the requirements laid down in paragraph 6.2.8 of UNECE Regulation No 138.

The sound to be generated by the AVAS shall be a continuous sound that provides information to the pedestrians and other road users of a vehicle in operation. The sound shall be easily indicative of vehicle behaviour, for example, through the automatic variation of sound level or characteristics in synchronisation with vehicle speed. The sound shall be similar to the sound of a vehicle of the same category equipped with an internal combustion engine.

The following rules shall apply:

The vehicle manufacturer may provide for the possibility for the driver to select from among different sounds, which shall comply with the requirements laid down in paragraph 6.2.5 of UNECE Regulation No 138.

The sound level generated by the AVAS shall not exceed the approximate sound level of a vehicle of the M1 category equipped with an internal combustion engine and operating under the same conditions. In addition, the requirements in paragraph 6.2.7 of UNECE Regulation No 138 shall apply.

The overall sound level emitted by a vehicle complying with the second subparagraph of point 2(a) shall not exceed the approximate sound level of a vehicle of the M1 category equipped with an internal combustion engine and operating under the same conditions.

the communication referred to in paragraph 5(3) of UNECE Regulation No 138, in accordance with the model set out in Annex 1 to that Regulation;

the test results of AVAS sound emission levels, measured in accordance with this Regulation.

the trade name or mark of the manufacturer;

a designated identification number.