What is UNECE 151 and 159?

UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) Regulation 151 sets the standards for Blind Spot Information Systems (BSIS) designed to enhance the safety of vulnerable road users, particularly cyclists, by detecting their presence in a vehicle’s blind spot and providing the driver with timely warnings to prevent collisions. The regulation aims to reduce the risks associated with blind spots in heavy vehicles, promoting safer road interactions between vehicles and vulnerable users like cyclists and pedestrians.

UNECE Regulation 159 establishes standards for Moving Off Information Systems (MOIS) designed to enhance the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. These systems aim to detect the presence of vulnerable road users in the forward blind spots of vehicles, providing the driver with information and warnings to prevent collisions when the vehicle is moving off from a stationary position or travelling at low speeds.

Who do these Regulations apply to?

UNECE Regulation 151 applies to manufacturers of heavy-duty trucks and buses in categories N2 (> 8 t) and N3, and optionally to manufacturers of mid-sized and large passenger buses in categories M2 and M3 at the manufacturer’s request.

UNECE Regulation 159 applies to vehicle categories M2, M3 (buses and coaches), and N2, N3 (medium and large trucks). It mandates that these vehicles be equipped with MOIS to detect pedestrians and cyclists and inform the driver of their presence when starting from rest or moving at low speeds (up to 10 km/h).

Key Requirements of UNECE 151:

• Detection Capability: BSIS must be capable of detecting bicycles within the vehicle’s blind spots.
• Warning Signals: The system must provide visual or audible warnings to the driver to alert them of the presence of a cyclist in the blind spot.
• Performance Criteria: The regulation specifies the performance criteria for the detection zones and the reaction times of the BSIS, ensuring timely and accurate detection of cyclists.
• System Activation: The BSIS should be active during vehicle operation to continuously monitor for the presence of cyclists.

Key Requirements of UNECE 159:

Detection Capability: MOIS must detect pedestrians and cyclists in critical blind spot areas in front of the vehicle.

Proximity Information Signal: The system must provide a proximity information signal if pedestrians or cyclists are detected in the blind spot when the vehicle is preparing to move off or travelling at low speeds.

Collision Warning Signal: An additional signal must be provided when a collision is imminent, such as when the vehicle accelerates from rest and a pedestrian or cyclist is directly in front of the vehicle.

UNECE Regulation 159 and 151 VS Direct Vision Standard (DVS)?

Both regulations require additional technology to be added to the relevant vehicles in order to ensure compliance. They both share the common goal of improving road safety particularly where vulnerable users are concerned. Where both legislations differ is the DVS is based in London only, at the current time (July, 2024) and is implemented by TFL (Transport For London). UNECE 151 and 159 were implemented in Europe. Below is the diagram which shows the key difference between the two regarding the visibility of the blind spots. UNECE 151 and 159 allow a gap from the vehicle and the are which has to be visible, however DVS eliminates any gap and required visibility from the nose of the vehicle with the MOIS.

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