Management of technical and performance risk... system engineering

Abstract

The critical step in the introduction of new technology to a railway system is the integration of signalling, vehicles, wayside equipment, civil works, operating plans and maintenance procedures to meet the performance and safety requirements. Booz-Allen and Hamilton Ltd., vis a leading transit system integrator, providing system design, operations, maintenance and safety expertise to deliver transit systems which are competitive in today's economic environment. In order to deliver a transit system which meets the defined system performance and safety requirements, Booz-Allen follows a systematic system engineering process, which is based on the USA MIL STD 499a. This process addresses the need to manage the many risks of ever expanding railway system complexity. The central aspects of our approach are to: transform operational needs into a description of system performance parameters and a system configuration through an iterative process; integrate technical parameters and ensure compatibility of all interfaces, including physical, functional and program, to optimize total system definition and design; and integrate other factors into the total engineering effort to meet cost, schedule and technical performance objectives, including reliability, maintainability, safety, survivability and human factors. This paper discusses in detail our approach to system engineering, utilising our work as Prime Contractor for the Docklands Light Railway (London, UK) as a case study. This paper also summarises the application of our system engineering approach to several new railway projects in the Far East and North America.