Detailed Review: UN ECE R159 – MOIS

UN ECE R159 is a regulation that establishes the administrative and technical requirements for the MOIS (Moving Off Information System) designed to warn about potential collisions with pedestrians and cyclists. We are conducting a detailed analysis of this regulation.

Technical Requirements for the ECE R159

The regulation outlines detailed technical requirements to ensure that Moving Off Information Systems (MOIS) effectively improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. These requirements include general principles, performance criteria, and provisions for signalization and system reliability.

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General Requirements:

1. Mandatory Compliance:
   • MOIS must function during all potential moving-off and low-speed maneuvers under conditions of ambient light above 15 lux.
   • Systems must remain unaffected by electromagnetic interference, demonstrated through compliance with UN Regulation No. 10.
2. Driver Interaction:
   • Information provided to the driver must enable intervention to avoid VRUs entering the vehicle’s trajectory.
   • High-urgency warnings must be used only when the risk of collision is imminent to avoid desensitizing drivers.

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Performance Requirements:

1. Detection Areas:
   • Detection of VRUs within defined proximity:
     • Forward Separation Planes: Minimum 0.8 m to a maximum of 3.7 m from the vehicle front.
     • Nearside and Offside Planes: 0.5 m from the vehicle’s lateral edges.
2. Operating Scenarios:
   • Moving-off Maneuvers:
     • Detect VRUs moving at 3–5 km/h perpendicular to the vehicle’s trajectory.
   • Low-speed Maneuvers:
     • Detect stationary or slow-moving cyclists at 0–10 km/h parallel to the vehicle.
3. Signalization:
   • Information Signal: Optical signals visible in both daylight and night conditions to inform drivers of VRU presence.
   • Collision Warning Signal:
     • A combination of optical, acoustic, or haptic signals.
     • Activated only when a collision is imminent.
   • Failure Warning Signal:
     • Optical alerts distinguishable from other signals to indicate system unavailability.

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Provisions for Deactivation:

1. Automatic Deactivation:
   • Allowed in cases of sensor contamination (e.g., ice, mud) or light conditions below 15 lux.
   • System must automatically reactivate when normal operating conditions are restored.
2. Manual Deactivation:
   • Permissible through intentional actions such as prolonged button presses.
   • Automatic reactivation upon vehicle restart is mandatory.

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Initialization and System Monitoring:

1. System Initialization:
   • Must complete within 15 seconds after vehicle activation if driving above 0 km/h.
   • The driver must be notified if initialization fails.
2. Failure Management:
   • MOIS failure warnings must be provided continuously while the system remains unavailable.

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Minimization of False Signals:

The regulation emphasizes minimizing false reactions due to:

• Detection of non-relevant objects (e.g., static cones or parked vehicles).
• Situations where VRUs are outside the defined detection boundaries.

Important Dates for the ECE R159

UN ECE R159:

• Effective for new vehicle types: 10 June 2021.
• Mandatory compliance for all vehicles: 7 July 2024.

EU Regulation 2019/2144:

• Initial enforcement: 6 July 2022.
• Advanced systems mandatory for new vehicle types: 7 July 2024.
• Full compliance required for all vehicles: 7 July 2034.

EU Regulation 2018/858:

• Harmonized framework enforcement: 2020 onwards.
• Certificates of conformity in electronic format: 5 July 2026.

Specific Details for the ECE R159

Key Definitions:

1. MOIS (Moving Off Information System):
   • A system to detect and inform the driver about VRUs in the forward blind spot and, if necessary, provide a collision warning.
2. Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs):
   • Includes adult and child pedestrians and cyclists.
3. Detection Zones:
   • Defined by forward separation planes (minimum 0.8 m to maximum 3.7 m) and lateral separation planes (0.5 m from the vehicle’s sides).

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Operational Scenarios:

1. Moving Off Maneuvers:
   • Detection of VRUs traveling at 3–5 km/h perpendicular to the vehicle’s trajectory.
2. Low-Speed Maneuvers:
   • Detection of cyclists moving parallel to the vehicle at 0–10 km/h or stationary cyclists.
3. Collision Warning:
   • Triggered when a collision becomes imminent, utilizing a combination of optical, acoustic, or haptic signals.

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System Signalization:

1. Information Signal:
   • Optical and visible in both daylight and nighttime conditions to alert drivers about VRUs.
2. Collision Warning Signal:
   • Distinct and activated during high-risk situations.
3. Failure Warning Signal:
   • Activated when the system is unavailable or malfunctioning.

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Deactivation Provisions:

1. Automatic Deactivation:
   • Allowed due to sensor contamination (e.g., ice, mud) or insufficient ambient light (<15 lux).
   • System must reactivate automatically once normal conditions resume.
2. Manual Deactivation:
   • Permitted through deliberate driver actions but requires automatic reactivation upon vehicle restart.

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Technical Validation:

1. Testing Requirements:
   • Compliance tests include static and dynamic scenarios to verify detection and signal reliability.
   • Includes scenarios like blind spot boundary evaluations and VRU crossing paths.
2. False Signal Mitigation:
   • Systems must minimize incorrect alerts caused by static objects (e.g., traffic cones, parked vehicles) outside the defined detection zones.
3. Electromagnetic Compatibility:
   • MOIS must conform to UN Regulation No. 10 to ensure resistance to magnetic and electrical interference.

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Special Provisions:

1. Turning Maneuvers:
   • Detection strategies may adjust during vehicle turning, but sensor alignment with steering angle is not required.
2. Adaptations for Left-Hand Traffic:
   • Detection areas and criteria are reversed for compatibility in left-hand traffic regions.

FAQs for the ECE R159