Component fault tree analysis resolves complexity: Dependability confirmation for a railway brake system

Abstract

In 2006 Siemens Transportation systems had to obtain an operating license for the brake system of a newly developed train. Therefore a safety analysis for the brake system had to be performed to show that the probability of a failure of the brakes is sufficiently small, less than specified limits. The safety analysis was performed by Siemens Corporate Technology. The probability of a failure of the brake system was calculated using hierarchical fault tree analysis. The large number of different combinations of subsystems contributing to failure scenarios was managed by a specially developed program for automatic generation of combinatorial fault trees. The most important result was the proof of the quantitative safety targets of the brake system to the regulating body. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2007.