Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01742:body:0:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01742
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Character Range: 0–4605

Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 68/01 – Occupant Protection in Buses) 2024

I, Anthony Chisholm, Assistant Minister for Regional Development, determine this national road vehicle standard under section 12 of the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018.

Dated 9 December 2024

[SIGNED]

Anthony Chisholm

Assistant Minister for Regional Development

CONTENTS

1. legislative provisions.............................................3

2. Function.......................................................3

3. APPLICABILITY ...............................................3

4. DEFINITIONS..................................................4

5. REQUIREMENTS...............................................5

6. ACCESSORIES ON SEAT........................................9

7. DYNAMIC TEST PROCEDURES FOR SEATS AND SEAT-ANCHORAGES              10

8. ALTERNATIVE TEST PROCEDURE FOR VEHICLE SEAT-ANCHORAGES              15

9. DETERMINATION OF INJURY CRITERIA........................16

10. SEAT BACK AND SEAT RESTRAINING DEVICE STRENGTH.......16

11. ANCHORAGES AND SASH GUIDES.............................17

12. DETERMINATION OF NUMBER OF SEATING POSITIONS..........21

APPENDIX 1 STATIC TEST PROCEDURE FOR OCCUPANT
PROTECTION IN BUSES.......................................24

1. TEST PROCEDURES FOR SEATS AND ANCHORAGES.............24

2. STATIC TESTS................................................24

APPENDIX 2 SEAT BACK ENERGY-DISSIPATING TEST..................29

1. DETERMINATION OF HEAD IMPACT ZONE......................29

2. REAR PARTS OF SEATS.......................................29

3. OTHER FITTINGS.............................................30

4. TEST PREPARATION..........................................30

5. TEST PROCEDURE AND RESULTS..............................32

 1.                                                         legislative provisions

         1.1. Name of Standard

         1.1.1. This standard is the Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 68/01 – Occupant Protection in Buses) 2024.

         1.1.2. This standard may also be cited as the Australian Design Rule 68/01 - Occupant Protection in Buses, or ADR 68/01.

         1.2. Commencement

         1.2.1. This standard commences on the day after it is registered.

 1.                                           FUNCTIOn

     1.                                     The function of this ADR is to specify, for certain omnibuses, requirements for seatbelts, the strength of 'Seats', seat-anchorages, seatbelt 'Anchorages' and 'Child Restraint Anchorages', and provisions for protecting occupants from impact with 'Seat' backs and accessories on 'Seats' and armrests.

     2.                                     The rule includes requirements both for 'Seats' and for vehicles fitted with 'Seats'.

 2.                                           APPLICABILITY

     1.                                     This vehicle standard applies to category MD and ME vehicles, from the dates set out in clauses 3.1.1 to 3.1.2 and the table under clause 3.4 below.

         1.                               1 November 2026 for all new model vehicles.

         2.                               1 November 2027 for all vehicles.

     2.                                     Notwithstanding clause 3.1 above, a category MD or ME vehicle is not required to comply with this vehicle standard if it:

            1.       is a 'Route Service Omnibus' not equipped with any passenger 'Seatbelt Assemblies'; or
            2.      is an omnibus with less than 17 'Seats' including the driver.

              1.                                     For the purposes of clause 3.1.1 above, a "new model" is a vehicle model first produced with a 'Date of Manufacture' on or after the date prescribed in that clause.

 1.                                     Applicability Table
Vehicle Category                               ADR Category Code  UN Category Code*  Manufactured on or After**  Acceptable Prior Rules
Moped 2 wheels                                 LA                 L1                 N/A
Moped 3 wheels                                 LB                 L2                 N/A
Motor cycle                                    LC                 L3                 N/A
Motor cycle and sidecar                        LD                 L4                 N/A
Motor tricycle                                 LE                 L5                 N/A
Passenger car                                  MA                 M1                 N/A
Forward-control passenger