UN R53 — Supplement 6 to the 02 series of amendments

New paragraphs 2.21. and 2.21.1. define the “Adaptive Driving-Beam” (ADB) and the “ADB neutral state”. Unless otherwise specified, the administrative and technical provisions of UN Regulation No. 149 for the AFS driving-beam function apply to the ADB. New paragraph 5.15.7. adds the ADB to the list of lighting and light-signalling devices in paragraph 5.15. The colour of the ADB is white (paragraph 5.13.), and a fitted ADB is considered equivalent to the driving-beam headlamp(s) (paragraph 5.23.). Where an ADB is fitted, the applicant must submit a detailed description with the information listed in paragraph 3.2.7. In the absence of specific instructions, an installed ADB must be in its ADB neutral state when lamp height and orientation are checked.

Where not otherwise specified in new paragraph 6.16., the driving-beam headlamp requirements of paragraph 6.1. apply to the ADB. The number of ADB is one, with one or two installation units (paragraph 6.16.1.). Paragraphs 6.16.3.1.1. to 6.16.3.4. set the position of ADB installation units. The vertical inclination of the center of the ADB's area of maximum illumination must stay between ± 0.5 per cent. This does not apply where an external adjusting device is present, or where the ADB is adjusted together with the passing-beam(s). The aggregate maximum intensity of the lighting units that can be energized simultaneously for the driving-beam lighting or its modes must not exceed 430,000 cd.

Paragraph 6.16.6.2. requires the ADB to be designed to be adaptive, subject to the provisions in paragraph 6.16.8.1. The control signals must come from a sensor system able to detect and react to each input listed in paragraph 6.16.6.2. It must always be possible to activate and deactivate the ADB manually, and to manually deactivate the automatic control (paragraph 6.16.6.3.). A visual failure tell-tale for the ADB is mandatory, and a visual tell-tale must show the driver that the adaptation is activated. The ADB must be switched OFF when the illuminance produced by ambient lighting conditions exceeds 7,000 lx (paragraph 6.16.8.1.1.3.). The manufacturer's safety concept must describe how the failure mode is triggered if any external agent, for example dirt, obscures the sensor input.

Under paragraph 6.1.6.2., the driving-beam headlamp(s) may switch ON and OFF automatically, with a sensor system that detects and reacts to each listed input. It must always be possible to switch the driving-beam headlamp(s) ON and OFF manually, and to manually deactivate the automatic control (paragraph 6.1.6.3.). If the control is automatic, an indication must show the driver that the automatic control is activated (paragraph 6.1.7.3.). Paragraphs 6.1.8.3.1.1. and 6.1.8.3.1.2. set the minimum detection fields and the detection distances of the sensor system. Driving-beam headlamp(s) switched ON automatically must switch OFF automatically when oncoming or preceding vehicles are detected within those fields and distances. They must also switch OFF automatically when the illuminance produced by ambient lighting conditions exceeds 7000 lx (paragraph 6.1.8.3.5.).

New Annex 8 gives the test drive specifications for the automatic control of the driving-beam headlamp(s) and for adaptive driving-beam headlamp(s). The test drive must be carried out in clear atmosphere and with clean headlamp(s). A new footnote describes good visibility as a meteorological optical range MOR > 2,000 m, defined according to WMO. Tables 1 and 2 set test sections A to E with traffic conditions on urban areas, multi-lane roads and country roads. Speeds are 50 ± 10 km/h in urban areas, 100 ± 20 km/h on multi-lane roads and 80 ± 20 km/h on country roads. For ADB test sections A and B, test engineers must evaluate and record the acceptability of the adaptation towards oncoming and preceding road users.

Paragraph 6.1.6.1. now says that the passing-beam(s) may remain “switched ON”, instead of “illuminated”, with the driving-beam(s). If the vehicle has secondary driving-beam(s) approved to UN Regulations Nos. 113 or 149, at least one listed lamp must remain switched ON with them. The listed lamps include the passing-beam(s) and a primary driving-beam approved according to UN Regulations Nos. 113 or 149. A driving-beam of Class A or B approved according to the 01 and subsequent series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 149 is also listed. Paragraphs 6.2.1.1. and 6.2.1.2. now also list Class C or V of the 01 and subsequent series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 149.

Paragraphs 6.1.3.1.1., 6.2.3.1.4. and 6.13.4.1.1. now say “median longitudinal plane of the vehicle” instead of “medium longitudinal plane of the vehicle”. In paragraph 6.1.3.1.1., the two requirements on the reference centre now use the word “must”.