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Theme: Enhanced and Equitable Vehicle Safety for All: Toward the next 50 years


Welcome to the 27th International Technical Conference on The Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV)

ESV conferences are unique and invaluable to the global community. They provide opportunities to share innovative advances in motor vehicle safety and encourage international cooperation. The 27th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles will be held in Yokohama, Japan from April 3-6, 2023.

Call for Abstracts will begin around February 1, 2022


The United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Office of Vehicle Safety Research is the official Government agency responsible for the implementation of the International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV) held every two years at a venue agreed upon by the participating Government Focal Points (GFPs).

The Conference is hosted by an ESV member country selected in advance by the GFPs representing the participating Governments' transportation organizations. ESV attendees include members of Governments, automobile manufacturers, technology companies, suppliers, academia – including safety researchers, students, safety advocates and other motor vehicle safety professionals, medical, insurance, legal and policy professionals, consumers, and media.

The ESV Program originated in 1970 under the The North Atlantic Treaty Organization(NATO) Committee on the Challenges of Modern Society, and was implemented through bilateral agreements between the Governments of the United States, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Sweden. The participating nations agreed to develop experimental safety vehicles to advance state-of-the-art technology in automotive engineering and to meet periodically to exchange information on their progress. Since its inception, the number of international partners has grown to include the Governments of Canada, Australia, The Netherlands, Hungary, Poland, the Republic of Korea, and two international organizations - the European Commission, and the European Enhanced Vehicle-Safety Committee.

In 1971 the Conference was known as the International Technical Conference on Experimental Safety Vehicles. Over time, the focus of the conference shifted from concentration on the development of experimental safety vehicles to broader issues of safety and international cooperation seeking reductions in motor vehicle fatalities and injuries. These issues include program advances in areas such as Pedestrian Safety, Frontal and Side Impact Protection, Biomechanics, Intelligent Transportation Systems, and Vehicle Compatibility.

In 1991, the participating governments agreed to change the name of the Conference to "The International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles" to reflect the current focus. The 14th ESV Conference, held in Munich, Germany, in May 1994, was the first conference in which the new name was used, and "25 Years of ESV Development" was celebrated.

The 21st ESV Conference in June 2009 hosted by Germany had a record-breaking array of participants as more than 1000 people gathered in Stuttgart, Germany over the 4-day program. The organizers arranged a historic retrospective of early experimental safety vehicles developed in the 1970s through bilateral agreements.

The 22nd ESV Conference held in Washington, D.C., June 13-16, 2011, showcased emerging real-world technologies to advance vehicle safety. For the first time, conference attendees, could experience the potential benefits of these technologies through actual vehicle "Ride and Drive" demonstrations by the manufacturers. Over 40 technical exhibitors provided attendees a firsthand experience of current and future safety innovations.

At the most recent ESV Conference held in Eindhoven, Netherlands, June 10-14, 2019, participants experienced numerous highpoints. Our host provided a unique opportunity and forum for the exchange of ideas and the strengthening of global collaboration in improving vehicle safety technologies and standards. Growth of the automotive industry worldwide has brought new partners in pursuit of enhancing global vehicle safety. A scientific peer-review papers process recognized outstanding technical papers, giving further prestige to world class authors.

After more than 50 years, ESV continues to keep pace with technical innovation to find new opportunities to further enhance and advance vehicle safety. A hallmark of the ESV Program continues to be the technical agenda where presentations that are shared are at the leading edge of vehicle safety exploration currently in the area of vehicle automation. The organizers continue to strive to present participants with the latest achievements in the field of motor vehicle safety.

The 27th ESV Conference will be held at the Pacifico in Yokohama, Japan, April 3-6, 2023. The host is preparing to welcome your participation and offer you an informative and inspiring vehicle safety experience. We look forward to your participation at this event.

Cem Hatipoglu
ESV 2023 Government Focal Point Chair
Associate Administrator for Vehicle Safety Research

Stephen Summers
ESV 2023 General Chair
Director
Office of Vehicle Crashworthiness Research

Student Safety Technology Design Competition (SSTDC)

U.S. Government Awards


GFP Application Deadline: August 15, 2022

The U.S. Government Awards is sponsored by the United States Department of Transportation - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the 2023 Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV) Government Focal Points (GFPs), participating country representatives. The bi-annual awards will be managed by NHTSA, with nominations from the GFPs. The selection panel will be comprised of members of NHTSA leadership. An award will be given to an individual from any GFP participating country. To nominate an individual, the GFP must complete the form and submit with supporting documentation, appropriate references, letter of support and photocopies of news articles. Nominations for the U.S. Government Safety Engineering Excellence and Special Awards of Appreciation must be submitted to:


National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Dee Williams
Deputy Associate Administrator for Vehicle Safety Research
ESV Operations Manager
U.S. Government Awards Coordinator
Email: dee.williams@dot.gov

Event Schedules

venue information

1-1-1 Minato Mirai,
Nishi-ku, Yokohama
220-0012, Japan

General Information

+81-45-221-2155
(9:00 to 18:00)

PACIFICO Yokohama

As one of the world's largest convention complexes, PACIFICO Yokohama is designed to include all necessary functions to organize meetings, conventions, exhibitions, and events, such as theater style halls, conference rooms, exhibition halls and a hotel. The building, whose exterior is beautiful and unique, has become one of the landmarks in Yokohama.

The National Convention Hall of Yokohama is reminiscent of a seashell, with the Convention Center as light, the Exhibition Hall as waves, and the hotel as a sail. On the edge of the ocean side of the hotel is Michibiki-no-zo (a statue of navigation) that prays for the safety of navigation. The hotel, managed by InterContinental Yokohama Grand, which is an internationally established hotel brand, has received a great number of guests since its opening.

Event Contacts

NHTSA Contacts

Japan Contacts