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 << Vehicle Safety Research

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

ABOUT VRTC
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) is a federal research facility. Staff at VRTC conduct research and vehicle testing in support of NHTSA's mission to save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce traffic-related health care and other economic costs. Research performed covers the areas of Crash Avoidance, Crash Worthiness, and Biomechanics. These research and development activities produce safer vehicles through improved vehicle performance, improved occupant protection systems, improved structural integrity of vehicles, increased understanding of driver behavior, and the use of intelligent systems to enhance drivers' ability to avoid crashes and travel safely. VRTC also conducts investigations into potential safety related defects in motor vehicles in support of the Office of Defects Investigation.
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Pedestrian and Applied Biomechanics Division
Biomechanics, occupant protection, & crash dummy research, development, and evaluation
feature arrow icon Pedestrian and Applied Biomechanics Division
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Vehicle Stability and Control Division (Crash Avoidance)
Vehicle handling, light vehicle brake systems, vehicle dynamics simulation, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), driver behavior, & heavy truck research
feature arrow icon Vehicle Stability and Control Division (CRASH AVOIDANCE)
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Defects Analysis and Crashworthiness Division
Vehicle structural integrity, crash tests, occupant protection, & automotive defects investigations
feature arrow icon Defects Analysis and Crashworthiness Division
What's New
15-Passenger Van Safety (06/01/2004)
Testing the Dynamic Rollover Resistance of Two 15-Passenger Vans With Multiple Load Configurations (06/01/2004)
Testing the Effects of TPMS Minimum Activation Pressure on the Handling and Rollover Resistance of a 15-Passenger Van (06/01/2004)
2005 ESV Presentations
feature arrow icon "NHTSA’s Research Program on Wireless Phone Driver Interface Effects (6-8-2005)"
feature arrow icon "An Overview of NHTSA’s 2005 ESC Research Program (6-7-2005)"
Related Links
  • Directions to VRTC
  • Crash Test Dummy Manufacturers - First Technology Safety Systems, Inc.
  • Crash Test Dummy Manufacturers - Denton ATD
  • Crash Test Dummy Manufacturers - GESAC, Inc.
  • U.S. Department of Transportation USA Gov - Your First Click to the U.S. Government