A new United Nations Regulation on Driver Control Assistance Systems (DCAS), adopted by the UNECE World Forum for the Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) at its session in March 2024, has entered into force.
Regulation No. 171 defines DCAS as systems which assist the driver in controlling the longitudinal and lateral motion of the vehicle on a sustained basis, while not taking over the entire driving task. DCAS are categorized as Automated Driving Systems corresponding to SAE Level 2. This means that while using such systems, the driver retains responsibility for the control of the vehicle and must therefore permanently monitor the surroundings as well as vehicle/system's performance to be able to intervene if needed.
Regulation No. 171, which entered into force on 30 September, specifies DCAS' safety and performance requirements. In order to ensure that drivers remain available and engaged, it mandates effective warning strategies if a lack of driver engagement is detected.
To address drivers' potential overreliance on some assistance systems, it also requires vehicle manufacturers to proactively communicate to users via all available means, including online, in advertising and at dealerships when purchasing a vehicle, about the limitations of DCAS and drivers' responsibility when using the systems.
François Roudier, Secretary General of the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), commented: "This new regulation on DCAS gives Automobile Manufacturers the necessary flexibility to propose enhanced Level 2 assisting systems to motorists worldwide. Increased assistance will go hand-in-hand with improved safety on the road, to the benefit of users, manufacturers and certification authorities alike."
Richard Damm, Chair of the WP.29 Working Party on Automated/Autonomous and Connected Vehicles (GRVA), said: "This new UN Regulation on DCAS is an important step for road traffic safety and the deployment of safe technologies assisting drivers. It ensures significantly improved driver monitoring in the use of assistance systems compared to current regulatory provisions, enhancing the involvement of the driver in the driving task. It will thus pave the way towards higher automation levels in the future."
