UN R131 — Supplement 3 to the 02 series of amendments

New paragraph 6.11. covers virtual testing of dynamic tests. Virtual testing may be used by request of the vehicle manufacturer as an alternative for some of the tests described in paragraphs 6.4. to 6.6. The virtual testing must be verified and validated according to Annex 4 and used in accordance with Annex 4. Paragraph 6.11.2. allows virtual testing in the evaluation of the warning and activation tests. This is in accordance with paragraph 1.8. of Schedule 3 and Schedule 8 of Revision 3 of the 1958 Agreement. Where the manufacturer uses virtual testing, a separate report with at least the additional information of Annex 4 must be annexed to the test report.

At least 30 per cent of required tests must be performed physically, to demonstrate that the complete physical system can reliably deliver the required performance. These must include at least one test of each scenario variant described in paragraphs 6.4 to 6.6 relevant for the approval. Tests already performed as part of model validation, and corresponding to the vehicle type approval, can count as part of the 30 per cent. For modification of the vehicle type and extension of the approval under paragraph 7, the proportion of physical tests may be below 30 per cent. The tests to be performed, and this proportion, must be agreed between the manufacturer and the Type Approval Authority or its Technical Service. A footnote says the 30 per cent value is considered as a first step for this regulation and should be reviewed regularly in GRVA.

New Annex 4 has the title “Virtual testing of dynamic tests” and an introduction for information only. The introduction says the annex describes a method to consider virtual testing as an alternative to physical testing, based on the manufacturer request. This method is mainly based on two separate activities. Activity 1 is the development, management, verification and validation of the toolchain. Activity 2 is the use of virtual testing results to conduct testing required for approval process. The annex defines “virtual testing”, “model”, “toolchain” and “validity domain”.

The manufacturer must demonstrate the credibility of the toolchain used for virtual testing to the satisfaction of the Type Approval Authority or its Technical Service. Five criteria must be considered for this: capability, accuracy, correctness, fit for purpose and usability. Developing and using the toolchain is the responsibility of the vehicle manufacturer. The toolchain must reflect the vehicle, system and components that are to be tested.

The manufacturer must provide information on the toolchain to the Technical Service. It includes a description of the models and tools which constitute the toolchain, and of the overall approach to data management. It also includes the processes which make sure the personnel developing, testing and validating the toolchain and its components have appropriate experience, expertise, and training. The vehicle manufacturer must define the validity domain on which the toolchain will be applicable and how the validity domain has been derived. The documentation must describe the key performance indicators which will be assessed during validation, such as time to collision, remaining distance or impact speed. The manufacturer must review the information produced in addressing the requirements of paragraph 2.3.6.2. and document any implications for the use of the toolchain.

The toolchain and its components must be capable of accurately representing the relevant aspects of the physical AEBS that is being modelled. The manufacturer must provide an estimation of the numerical errors affecting the toolchain and its components and analysis that the errors remain sufficiently bounded. The validation strategy must be defined by the manufacturer and presented to the Type Approval Authority or its Technical Service for review and agreement. The tests performed must make sure that a statistical comparison between physical and simulation results is possible. The overall uncertainty of the results must be quantified based on the toolchain structure and from the data and its flow through the toolchain. At the request of the Type Approval Authority or its Technical Service, additional confirmatory validation, which must include physical tests, must be performed or witnessed.

The vehicle manufacturer may demonstrate compliance with the performance requirements as defined in paragraphs 5.2.1 to 5.2.2. by making use of virtual testing. The demonstration is to the Type Approval Authority or its Technical Service, with virtual testing of the dynamic manoeuvres described in paragraphs 6.4. to 6.6. For each approval application, the manufacturer must confirm that the virtual testing was conducted using a validated toolchain. It must also confirm that the virtual testing was performed by staff with appropriate competences and skills. The confirmation also covers use of a toolchain that has a unique identifier and sufficient information including scope, regulatory applicability and validation history. It also covers use of a toolchain within its scope and in accordance with any restrictions.