Description

In the 80ties, the introduction of the SACEM system (continuous speed control for Line A of the Paris Rapid transit network [RER]) signalled the passage from cabled electronic logic to computer control. Since then RATP has built up the necessary technical and human resources to monitor the safety of software-based railway command-control systems, a move culminating in the creation of the Software Qualification Laboratory (AQL)

Workforce

AQL has a 22-strong workforce of technicians and engineers.

Principal resources

To check or confirm functional reliability throughout the various phases of development of the software used in safety-critical systems, AQL uses the following, inter alia:

• Software development methods such as Method B or SCADE
• Software proofing or static analysis techniques and software testing systems.

Key strengths

• COFRAC accreditations that have entitled the laboratory to contribute to major projects in France, (later versions of SACEM, METEOR, rollout of OURAGAN, Automation of Metro Line 1 in Paris, etc.) and abroad (Singapore, Mexico, Barcelona, Algiers metro systems, etc.)
• Safety-critical software qualification services (safe system operation)
• Independent System Assessment (ISA) – the assessments vital in producing the safety cases to be submitted to qualified experts or duly certified official bodies prior to system commissioning.
   

Accreditations

The laboratory AQL has COFRAC accreditation (Accreditation No.1-0976, Test and scope consultable at www.cofrac.fr, for "Safety-critical software system assessment" (programme 152).

AQL's railway safety-critical software testing qualifications have also been recognised by Italian Group, RINA.