2getthere Safety Approach
System safety is the first and foremost element of any automated people mover system – it is an overriding requirement. 2getthere delivers excellent system safety levels for all elements of the system: vehicles, supervisory (control) system and infrastructure. To materialize the safety potential inherent to automated transport systems, great care in system architecture and system engineering is required.
Within 2getthere the V-model approach is used for the development and engineering activities. User requirements are translated to system and subsystem specifications. In complex systems such as the CyberCab PRT system the overall safety performance relies on coordinated action of multiple subsystems. Therefore the interfaces are an essential part of the system specification. The safety critical systems in the PRT system are all proven technologies, often at least in the 2nd generation of development, with an operational record of many years and projects. 2getthere adheres to a stepwise approach as safety is a matter of control and the difficulty of control is inversely proportional to scale and complexity. Only with the gained 10 years of experience, 2getthere feels confident to supply (demanding) PRT applications.
A safety case will have to be set up for every application. Within this safety case it will have to be proven to satisfaction that all aspects of the operational safety of the system match the desired standards. 2getthere and its’ development partners use a long-term view on safety and will comply with regulations in place and expected additions and/or changes. However, at this time there are no specific (certification) guidelines and/or standards for electronically guided or PRT systems. Hence 2getthere will self-impose an independent safety assessment by means of the FMECA (Failure Mode Effect and Criticality Analysis) by TNO, to obtain a safety certificate, stating that the vehicles, supervisory system and infrastructure are carefully engineered and thoroughly tested.
Based on this safety approach, the regulating authorities from the Netherlands, France (STRMTG), United Kingdom (HMRI) and Switzerland (BAV) have expressed confidence that ‘certification’ under their current regulations can be rapidly achieved.