UN R48 Supplement 11 (07 series) · UNECE Regulation No. 48 (ECE R48) — Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles with regard to the installation of lighting and light-signalling devices.
UN R48 — Supplement 11 to the 07 series of amendments
Supplement 10 → 11
- What changed
- New paragraph 6.28. adds the optional direction indicator projection, an amber light signal projected on the ground.
- The projection may switch ON only with the same-side direction indicator lamps, and only at 15 km/h or less.
- The projection patterns may use only the basic element of new Annex 18, the chevron (para. 5.37.2.1.).
- Why
- The direction indicator projection proposal aims to enhance the perception of the vehicle's signals by other road users.
- The 15 km/h limit is chosen to limit the activation and duration of the projection to slow urban turns at side junctions and parking manoeuvres.
Q1What changed86 changes
New direction indicator projection: definitions and general rules (paras. 2.7.13., 5.37. and Annex 18)
A “direction indicator projection” is a light signal projected on the ground to give other road users enhanced recognition of the direction indication (para. 2.7.13.). The colour of direction indicator projections is amber, and they must be flashing lamps (paras. 5.15. and 5.9.1.). The patterns may use only the basic elements of new Annex 18, a chevron, in a straight line (paras. 5.37.2.1. and 5.37.2.2.). The number, size, ratio and spacing of the basic elements are not restricted if the requirements of paragraph 6.28.5. are met (para. 5.37.2.3.). After two minutes of continuous wiper operation, a projection above the intensity limit must switch OFF or reduce to the limit or less (para. 5.37.4.). If projections are provided, the manufacturer must give the list of patterns, and the owner's handbook must explain them (paras. 3.2.10. and 5.37.1.).
Number, position and projection area of direction indicator projections (paras. 6.28.1. to 6.28.6.)
Under new paragraph 6.28., the direction indicator projection is optional. Categories M and N may have one front and/or one rear projection per side; categories O3 and O4 may have one rear projection per side. The projectors must be type approved to the 01 or later series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 148. A front projection may extend at most 5,000 mm ahead of the vehicle front and 1,500 mm beyond its outer edge (para. 6.28.5.1.). A rear projection may extend at most 2,000 mm behind the vehicle rear and 1,500 mm beyond its outer edge (para. 6.28.5.2.). The patterns of each front and each rear projection must start with their closest edge inside a set zone (paras. 6.28.5.3. and 6.28.5.4.).
Switching, visibility and communication form items for direction indicator projections (paras. 6.28.7. to 6.28.9. and Annex 1, item 9.32.)
A visual test from the zone boundary shown in Annex 14 checks that no projector apparent surface is directly visible (para. 6.28.9.1.). If the requirement of paragraph 6.28.9.1. is not fulfilled, paragraph 5.13.1.2.(b) of the 01 series of UN Regulation No. 148 applies (para. 6.28.9.2.). Each projection may have only one straight line of patterns (para. 6.28.9.3.). The system that operates the projections may be automatically and/or manually deactivated and/or reactivated (para. 6.28.7.2.). New Annex 1 item 9.32. has yes/no entries for front and rear projections, their maximum luminous intensity and paragraph 5.13.1.2. of UN Regulation No. 148. The title of Annex 14 now also names direction indicator projectors.
- If it is switched ON, the projection must flash in phase and at the same frequency as the direction indicator lamp (6.28.7.1.).
- A projection that is already ON may stay ON until the direction indicator is deactivated (6.28.7.4.).
- The rear projection must not switch ON, unless the horizontal angle of the projection direction to the median longitudinal plane exceeds 45° (6.28.9.4.).
- The front projection must not switch ON, unless the horizontal angle of the projection direction to the median longitudinal plane exceeds 45° (6.28.9.4.).
When the hazard warning signal is ON, all the projections must not be switched ON at the same time (6.28.7.3.).
Based on: paragraphs 6.28.7.1., 6.28.7.3., 6.28.7.4. and 6.28.9.4. of UN Regulation No. 48 as amended by Supplement 11 to the 07 series of amendments (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/161)
Q2Why it changed
- Proposed by
- Expert from the International Automotive Lighting and Light-Signalling Expert Group (GTB)
- Working party
- GRE, 93rd session (October 2025)
Reasons
The projection of patterns on the road is intended to enhance the perception of the vehicle's signals by other road users. The proposer states that several studies have shown the effectiveness of the projection.
Sources (2)
“in the form of projection of patterns on the road, to enhance the perception of the vehicle’s signals for other road users”
“Concerning the direction indicator projection, several studies have been done and have shown its effectiveness”
GTB defined a basic element that gives clear information and cannot be confused with road signs or markings. The chevron is proposed because it is a proper shape to inform about the driver's intention to change direction.
Sources (2)
“GTB defined the basic element of a pattern that provides clear information and cannot be confused with road signs/markings.”
“Chevron is proposed as the basic element of direction indicator projector because it is a proper shape for informing about the driver’s intention of changing the direction of the vehicle.”
At its 91st session, GRE asked that projections be limited to specific scenarios. The scenarios seen as most beneficial were slow urban turns into and out of side junctions and manoeuvres into and out of parking spaces. The 15 km/h limit agrees with the limit for manoeuvring lamps and with typical vehicle speeds in these scenarios.
Sources (2)
“The discussions at the ninety first session of GRE requested that the projections should be limited to specific scenarios.”
“15 km/h is chosen as this is aligned to the limit for manoeuvring lamps and typical speeds of vehicles in these scenarios”
The front projection is proposed only for forward motion, and the rear projection only for reversing motion. A pattern whose horizontal angle to the median longitudinal plane exceeds 45° is perceived by other road users as directing sideways. For such a pattern, both projections can be switched ON in either direction of motion. In parking manoeuvres, a vehicle often changes between forward and reverse motion. When both projections are fitted, switching them ON and OFF each time is not desirable.
Sources (3)
“The front direction indicator projection is proposed to be only performed when the vehicle is in forward motion and the rear direction indicator projection is proposed to be only performed when the vehicle is in reversing motion.”
“The reason is that the pattern in which the angle exceeds 45° is perceived by the other road users like directing sideward.”
“In the case when both front and rear projections are fitted, switching them ON and OFF each time is not desirable”
The lateral limit of 1,500 mm addresses concerns over excessive intrusion into adjacent lanes. For a typical lane 3,000 mm wide and vehicle 2,000 mm wide, the intrusion is limited to 1,000 mm, one third of the adjacent lane.
Sources (2)
“to address concerns over excessive intrusion into adjacent lanes, the decision was made to reduce the distance allowed”
“the proposed value of 1,500 mm would mean intrusion is limited to 1,000 mm which is one third of the adjacent lane”
Document trail
- 2025-02RevisedECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2024/21/Rev.1Revised GTB proposal on direction indicator projections
- —Working party adoptsECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/93GRE session report, para. 24
- 2026-04Sent to WP.29ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2026/161Text that GRE sent 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
- If projections are provided, give the list of patterns in the application (para. 3.2.10.).
- Explain the projection patterns in the owner's handbook (para. 5.37.1.).
- Make sure the projection switches ON only with the same-side direction indicator lamps and at 15 km/h or less.
- Do not let the rear projection switch ON in a forward gear, or the front one in reverse (para. 6.28.9.4.). This does not apply when the horizontal angle of the projection direction to the median longitudinal plane exceeds 45°.
- Make sure the projection patterns meet the projection area requirements of paragraph 6.28.5.
Component supplier
- Have direction indicator projectors type approved to the 01 or later series of UN Regulation No. 148.
- Use only the chevron basic element of Annex 18 for the projection patterns (para. 5.37.2.1.).
- Make sure the projector type approval covers the wiper requirement of paragraph 5.37.4.
- Design each projection with only one straight line of patterns (paras. 5.37.2.2. and 6.28.9.3.).
Technical service / Approval authority
- Use the observer zone of Annex 14 for the visual test of paragraph 6.28.9.1.
- Where paragraph 6.28. allows it, accept verification by a drawing or simulation if the applicant asks and you agree.
- If paragraph 6.28.9.1. is not met, check the requirement of paragraph 5.13.1.2.(b), 01 series of UN Regulation No. 148.
- Fill in the new Annex 1 item 9.32. of the communication form.
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ⓘ This report gives advice only. It is not legal or type-approval advice.
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