From 1998 to 2025, 1,041 pediatric vehicular heatstroke fatalities occurred, with an average of 37 fatalities yearly. NHTSA assessed direct sensing radar systems in Genesis GV70, Toyota Sienna, and other vehicles, finding detection rates varied between vehicles and seating locations. Testing used Child Presence Detection dummies simulating newborn infants. NHTSA also evaluated aftermarket systems including retrofit devices like Ride & Remind and non-retrofit devices like SensorSafe, finding widely varying detection and alerting features. NHTSA continues investigating performance of strategies to reduce pediatric vehicular heatstroke risk and developing test procedures and performance criteria for evolving technologies.
Pediatric vehicular heatstroke occurs when body temperature exceeds 104°F, with children’s body temperatures rising three to five times faster than adults’. An average of 37 pediatric vehicular heatstroke fatalities occur yearly from 1998–2024, primarily from children being forgotten in vehicles. NHTSA has tested retrofit, aftermarket, and vehicle manufacturer unattended child reminder systems using direct and indirect sensing approaches. Testing revealed Bluetooth-connected devices alert at varying distances depending on signal strength, capacitive and pressure devices face false trigger risks, and direct sensing radar systems show inconsistent detection across vehicles and seating positions. NHTSA plans to publish an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comments on amending Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards to require rear seat occupant detection systems.
The 43rd session of the IWG on PTI convened on 8 May 2026 in Brussels. The group reaffirmed the need to strengthen integration between type approval and in-use inspection per WP.29 Whole-Life Compliance framework (WP.29/2023/89). At least 20 UN Regulations contain incomplete, non-harmonised PTI provisions. The IWG agreed to add “Review of PTI provisions in UN Regulations (1958 Agreement)” to its Action Plan and submit a proposal to WP.29 requesting endorsement. Work on diagnostic tools in PTI and automated vehicles inspection continues. The group reviewed recent amendments to UN Regulations Nos. 13 and 13-H for new braking technologies and identified challenges regarding LED replacement light source inspection.
Proposal to amend UN Rule No. 4 by replacing “Residual Energy Storage System (RESS)” with “Rechargeable Electrical Energy Storage System (REESS)” in paras. 2.10, 4.1, and 4.2, and amend the Russian version accordingly, and amend UN Regulation No. 100 rev. 2 to 4 by inserting “Electrical” in the term “Rechargeable Electrical Energy Storage System (REESS)” in paras. 2.5 and 2.29 of the English version, based on analysis in PTI-42-04 to eliminate inconsistencies and ensure unified approach across UN Regulations, Rules, and international standards.
Proposal to insert new clauses to section 8 of the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3) to add provisions 8.40.1. through 8.40.9. establishing requirements for:
The agenda includes:
The session reviewed and adopted the draft agenda and prior meeting minutes. Substantive discussions addressed proposals including harmonics observation time for vehicles and energy storage assemblies (EMC-54-02), conducting automated driving system active tests (EMC-54-03), quality guidance for technical service test reports (EMC-54-04), amending UN R10 based on related regulations (EMC-54-05-Rev.1), minimum dwell time guidance (EMC-54-06), non-durable protection shields clarification (EMC-54-07), and transient immunity (EMC-54-10-Rev.1). The group concluded that further investigation and revised proposals are needed for several items by the December 2026 session. Next meeting: 2–3 December 2026 online.