Task Force on Lamps Under Parked Conditions (TF LUPC)

By Eric Blusseau

Up to now, there have been no clear requirements in UN Regulations regarding activation of lighting and signalling devices on parked vehicles. Currently, there are many vehicles with various lights and lamps activated when locking and unlocking the doors. It may cause distraction or glare to other road users.

During the 84^th Session of GRE in April 2021, Japan expressed concerns about this issue. The expert from Japan presented a draft new series of amendments that introduces park conditions and an answer-back signalin the scope of UN Regulation № 48 (relevant documents: ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2021/2 · GRE-84-29 · GRE-84-30). The Chair concluded that the proposal needs adjustment, and so GRE proposed to establish a special interest group on these topics: SIG R48-09, co-chaired by the experts from Finland and the Netherlands.

The SIG met 9 times between June 2021 and March 2023. A final proposal was submitted to GRE during the 88^th session in April 2023 (document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRE/2023/2). Following an in-depth consideration of the document, GRE adopted the technical content as laid down in GRE-88-16-Rev.3.

Highlights include—
Introduction of a new signal in R48, the Answer-back signal:

“2.6.4. Answer-back signal” means a signal used to assist the vehicle user to identify and find his/her car under the park condition of a vehicle.
5.9.4. Answer-back signal may flash and/or vary in luminous intensity and/or apparent surface.
All the specific technical requirements are listed in §6.27 of R48 series 09.

Modification of the activation rules of the exterior courtesy lamps:

The exterior courtesy lamps may be switched ON and/or switched OFF manually or automatically.
The exterior courtesy lamp or lamps may vary in luminous intensity and/or apparent surface.
The exterior courtesy lamp(s) shall not flash.

These modifications have been introduced in the new series 09 of R48 which was submitted to WP29 and adopted during the March 2024 session. The R48 Series 09 including these modifications has been in force since 22 September,2024.

During its 89^th session, GRE agreed to transform SIG 48-09 into the task force on lamps under parked conditions (TF LUPC) with a mandate until December 2025. Japan and the Netherlands act as co-chairs, while OICA acts as secretary.

The objective of TF-LUPC is to review the current suite of lamps under parked conditions requirements and to develop within the framework of R48 a proposal pertaining to energy indicator (state of charge) and lamp test modes. These new signals were submitted to GRE during the 88^th session, but not adopted.

Examples of existing charging status indicators

The task force will submit an informal document to GRE during the April 2025, session and the formal document shall be submitted to GRE during the October 2025 Session.

Five TF-LUPC meetings have been held since January 2024:

Session	Date.	Outcomes.
LUPC1	17/01/2024	Drafting of the Terms of Reference. (ToR) The objective of TF-LUPC is to review the current suite of lamps under parked conditions requirements and to develop in UN R48 a proposal pertaining to Energy Indicator and Lamp test mode.
LUPC2	12/03/2024	Review Terms of Reference for GRE. Proposal for modification of UN R48
GRE 90	29/04- 03/05/2024	TF LUPC reported on their activities (GRE-90-18) and presented a proposal for the Terms of Reference and rules of procedure (GRE-90-03). GRE adopted the proposal.
LUPC3	22/05/2024	Finalization on the questionnaires linked to both functions (energy indicator and lamp test mode). Questionnaire to be shared among GRE experts.
LUPC4	03/10/2024	Analysis of the answers from the contracting parties to the questionnaire dealing with Energy indicator & Lamp test mode. Preparation of the Status Report for GRE 91^st session.
GRE 91	22-25/10/2024	Progress report of the TF LUPC (GRE-91-09), in particular the outcome of its survey on the lamp test mode and energy indicator. GRE experts are invited to provide feedback to TF LUPC and to take part in its activities.
LUPC5	16/01/2025	Review of the answers from the Contracting parties to the questionnaire. Remaining points addressed during the meeting about the energy indicator lamp: Operating conditions / modes Activation method Position on the vehicle Luminous intensity (daytime max 7 cd, nighttime max 3 cd) Colour (white, red, amber, yellow?) Size (max to be defined, but discussion is between 4 and 25 cm²) No consensus found for colour or size during the meeting. See LUPC05-03 documents. The task force will come back on the two open items in the next session and on the lamp test mode.
LUPC6	12/03/2025	To be announced