6. Time and Cost Estimates for Harmonization Plan

Table 2 shows the cost estimates for the initial series of vehicle testing and data analysis. These funds were provided from NHTSA's FY 97 research and development funds. Figure 7 is a chart showing the initial harmonization research as specific tasks with assumed start and end dates. The cost estimates associated with initial research tasks of the harmonization plan are given in Table 3.

Table 2 - Cost of Initial Series of Tests of 8 Vehicles to EU Side Impact Regulation.

The results from the first vehicle test series (Phase I) may reveal non-trivial problems and may also indicate significant differences in the safety performance of the vehicles tested in the EU side impact test versus their performance in the FMVSS 214 test. This could necessitate specific tasks to be completed before the additional full vehicle tests (Phase II) as outlined below. The definition and magnitude of these specific tasks, if required, cannot be defined until the completion of Phase I. In addition, the type of full vehicle tests to be performed in Phase II will be highly dependent on the initial results and meetings with EU and industry officials. Therefore, the cost and time estimates for these tasks are rough approximations. Finally, as stated in section 4.1, some aspects of the harmonization plan may be iterative. Task 6 - 17 in Figure 7 may, in whole or part, need to be repeated to achieve harmonization. The cost and time estimates represent a single iteration of these steps.

Table 3 - Estimated Cost of Initial Side Impact Harmonization Research.