UN R178 Supplement 1 (00 series) · UNECE Regulation No. 178 (ECE R178) — Uniform provisions concerning the approval of motor vehicles with regard to the Emergency Lane Keeping Systems (ELKS) for M1 and N1 vehicles.
UN R178 — Supplement 1 to the 00 series of amendments
Base text → Supplement 1
- What changed
- New paragraph 1.2. says that this Regulation does not apply to vehicles of Categories X and Y.
- New paragraph 6.3.3. adds special provisions for vehicles equipped with an ADS: the ELKS must be deactivated upon activation of an ADS feature.
- Paragraph 6.3.2. no longer names automated lane keeping in its list of automated steering functions.
- Why
- According to the proposal, the ELKS is a driver assistance feature and therefore has no role whilst an ADS is performing the DDT.
- The task force proposed amendments to clarify that certain Regulations do not apply to automated vehicles whilst an Automated Driving System feature is active.
Q1What changed9 changes
Vehicles of Categories X and Y and vehicles with an ADS (introduction and para. 1.2.)
New paragraph 1.2. says that this Regulation does not apply to vehicles of Categories X and Y. New paragraph 7. of the introduction says that ELKS is only required to operate when a driver is in control. It also says that vehicles without the ability to be controlled by a driver (vehicles of Categories X and Y) are not required to comply. For vehicles with an ADS other than Categories X and Y, no special provisions or exemptions apply in the manual driving mode. The footnote on the R.E.3. definitions now refers to document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.8 instead of Rev.7, with a new web address.
Automatic suppression of the ELKS (para. 6.3.2.)
Paragraph 6.3.2. permits automatic ELKS suppression when other driver assists or automated steering functions control lateral movement, or other safety related functions intervene. The examples of these functions are now the automatically commanded steering function or emergency steering function. Before, the examples also included automated lane keeping. The rest of the paragraph does not change.
Special provisions for vehicles equipped with an ADS (para. 6.3.3.)
New paragraph 6.3.3. adds special provisions for vehicles equipped with an ADS. The ELKS must be deactivated upon activation of an ADS feature, and must not be able to be activated whilst an ADS feature is active. The ELKS must be automatically reactivated upon deactivation of an ADS feature, in accordance with paragraph 6.2.2. The provisions of paragraph 6.2.3. do not apply whilst an ADS feature is active. Paragraph 6.2.3. requires a constant visual warning signal that informs the driver that the ELKS function has been deactivated.
Q2Why it changed
- Proposed by
- Task force on regulatory fitness for Automated Driving Systems
- Working party
- GRVA, 24th session (January 2026)
Reasons
The task force prepared amendments to enable the application of several UN Regulations to automated vehicles. The amendments are also to clarify that certain Regulations do not apply to these vehicles whilst an Automated Driving System feature is active.
Sources (2)
“to introduce amendments to enable the application of several UN Regulations under the purview of GRVA to automated vehicles,”
“or clarifying the fact that certain Regulations do not apply to these vehicles whilst an Automated Driving System feature is active.”
The ELKS is a driver assistance feature and therefore has no role whilst an ADS is performing the DDT. For this reason, this Regulation is not applicable for vehicles of Categories X and Y, which have manual driving capability only below 6 km/h.
Sources (2)
“(ELKS) is a driver assistance feature and therefore has no role whilst an ADS is performing the DDT.”
“1. For this reason, this regulation is not applicable for vehicles of Categories X and Y (i.e. with a manual driving capability only below 6 km/h).”
Three new provisions are proposed to make sure that the ELKS is disabled whenever an ADS feature is active. The ELKS is also to be reactivated when a driver takes over the DDT, in accordance with the existing automatic deactivation provisions of 6.2.2. The warning normally given that the ELKS has been switched off is not required when the ADS is performing the DDT.
Sources (4)
“2. It is also proposed to add three new provisions to ensure:”
“The ELKS is disabled whenever an ADS feature is active (i.e. whilst the ADS is performing the DDT)”
“The ELKS is reactivated when the ADS feature is deactivated (i.e. when a driver has taken over performance of the DDT), but in accordance with the already existing automatic deactivation provisions of 6.2.2.”
“The warning normally given to inform the driver that ELKS has been switched off is not required when the ADS is performing the DDT.”
When one ADS feature is deactivated at the same time as another ADS feature is activated, paragraph 6.3.3.1. takes precedent. It is not expected to reactivate the ELKS in this case. The term ‘ADS Feature’ should be understood to include ALKS.
Sources (2)
“In the case that one ADS feature is deactivated at the same time as another ADS feature is activated (i.e. a transition directly between ADS features), 6.3.3.1. takes precedent and it is not expected to reactivate ELKS in this case.”
“4. It should be understood that the term ‘ADS Feature’ includes ALKS.”
Document trail
- 2025-11ProposalECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRVA/2026/6Proposal for amendments to UN Regulations Nos. 13, 89, 90, 130, 131, 139, 140, 152, 157, 171 and 178, submitted by the task force on regulatory fitness for Automated Driving Systems
- —Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRVA/24Session report, para. 35(a)
- 2026-04Sent to WP.29ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/87Text that GRVA adopted and submitted to WP.29 and AC.1
- 2026-06-24WP.29 adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/1192Adopted at the 199th session (session report, para. 103)
- PendingIn forceDate not yet known
Q3Who is affected
Vehicle manufacturer
- For vehicles with an ADS, make sure the ELKS is deactivated upon activation of an ADS feature (paragraph 6.3.3.1.).
- Make sure the ELKS cannot be activated whilst an ADS feature is active (paragraph 6.3.3.1.).
- Make sure the ELKS is automatically reactivated upon deactivation of an ADS feature, in accordance with paragraph 6.2.2.
Component supplier
- No direct action for this role.
Technical service / Approval authority
- For vehicles with an ADS, be ready to check the ELKS deactivation and reactivation of paragraphs 6.3.3.1. and 6.3.3.2.
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ⓘ This report gives advice only. It is not legal or type-approval advice.