This research study aims at proposing a high Safety Integrity electronic architecture, able to control by means of electronics and software the emergency braking pressure that is sent to brake actuators mounted on train bogies. The proposed electronic architecture is designed to comply with the main applicable standards for the safety-oriented design of electronics, such as the IEC 61508 series [R1] and its railway custom version the CENELEC EN 50129 [R2].

The proposed electronic architecture is s a breakthrough solution for the implementation of safety-critical braking functions, introducing high safety integrity electronic hardware and software in the conventional brake system architecture, in place of pneumatic devices.

Ferrara Fabio, Grasso Angelo, Fasolini Marco, Faiveley Transport - a Wabtec Company, Italy