United Nations: new regulation for emergency lane keeping system and guidance on data storage for automated driving

 

In a move to leverage advanced technologies for improved road safety, the UNECE World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) has adopted a new regulation concerning Emergency Lane Keeping Systems (ELKS) and approved a guidance document on data storage for automated driving systems.

Emergency Lane Keeping System (ELKS)

The ELKS is a driver-assistance feature designed to help prevent accidents caused by unintended lane departures. It alerts the driver and intervenes only when the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane unintentionally—an issue often encountered during long, monotonous drives. If the driver fails to respond promptly, the system can automatically and swiftly steer the vehicle back into its lane, especially crucial when adjacent lanes are occupied.

The newly adopted UNECE regulation sets standardized requirements for ELKS in passenger cars and vans. The system must be capable of detecting potential lane departures, issuing appropriate warnings, and correcting the vehicle’s path when necessary. Importantly, the driver remains in full control and can override the system at any moment through deliberate actions such as steering or other inputs.

This regulation will come into force in February 2026.

Guidance on Data Storage for Automated Driving

To support the safe deployment of automated driving systems (ADS), the Forum also endorsed guidance on data storage systems for vehicles equipped with Level 3, 4, or 5 automation. These systems are designed to record key data—such as timestamped control transitions and system interactions—during automated driving sequences. The recorded information helps clarify whether the driver or the ADS was responsible for the driving task during any safety-critical events.

The guidance outlines which types of data should be captured (e.g., sensing and perception, decision-making, and control), how the data should be stored, and how access should be managed to ensure both availability and confidentiality. It recommends that all stored data be accessible to authorized entities under national laws and that manufacturers ensure the data is delivered promptly in a standardized, machine-readable format through an internationally recognized electronic interface.

This guidance supports ongoing global efforts to develop a comprehensive regulation for automated driving systems. Discussions are already underway to integrate the Data Storage System for Automated Driving (DSSAD) into the forthcoming regulation.

Additional Safety Measure: Preventing Sudden Acceleration

In a further step toward enhancing road safety, the Forum adopted a new series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 175 on Acceleration Control for Pedal Error (ACPE). These changes aim to prevent unintended acceleration during low-speed maneuvering (creeping) and extend the regulation’s scope to include vans, in addition to passenger vehicles with automatic transmissions.