Author(s)

J.-G. Hwang, H.-J. Jo & H.-S. Kim

Abstract

Recent advances in embedded system technology have brought more dependence on automating train control. While great efforts have been reported to improve electronic hardware safety, there have been fewer systematic approaches to evaluate software safety, especially for the vital software running on board signalling systems. In this paper, we propose a new software tool to evaluate train control system software safety. We have reviewed requirements in the international standards and surveyed available tools in the market. From that, we identified necessary tests to meet the standards and proposed a tool that can be used during the whole software life cycle. We show the functional architecture and internal components of the tool. This tool is unique in that it is a comprehensive tool evaluating reliability and safety together. Keywords: railway signalling systems, S/W testing tool, safety evaluation. 1 Introduction The train control system has recently been converted from the existing mechanical device to a computer system, and dependence on the software has been rapidly increased. As for the representative system, the Japanese EJTC [2] ATC (Automatic Train Control) system can be cited. The ATC of EJTC is composed of anything from the vehicle control through a wayside signal exchange at Level 0 to the unattended fully automated vehicle control system at Level 3. In this way, with the transition from the mechanical, manual vehicle signalling system at the earlier stage to the recent unattended fully automated train control system, multiple computers began to be used as on-board

Keywords

railway signalling systems, S/W testing tool, safety evaluation.