LRQA USA - Measure the difference

Safety engineering

We provide up-to-date knowledge on technological developments in safety, advice to operators and infrastructure controllers, and consultancy regarding applications in the field of safety. We have particular expertise in train control and protection systems, ERTMS and ETCS. We offer strategic consultancy on pre-implementation preparation and tailor-made solutions for ATP systems.

How we can help

Our expertise covers safety engineering across infrastructure and rolling stock, and their interfaces. With a depth of knowledge in the rail domain and class leading safety expertise, we offer a range of services including:

• Engineering safety case management and preparation

• Achieving safety acceptance

• Hazard identification and analysis

• Quantitative and qualitative risk assessments of new and existing systems

• Analysis and specification of safety requirements

• Safety critical systems, engineering and integration

• Technical investigations

• Examination of electro-magnetic compatibility and its effect on safety.

To help you develop appropriate train control and protection systems and to implement them efficiently, we provide:

• Advice on migration strategy and planning from national legacy systems to ERTMS

• Preliminary studies to determine which ATP configuration is the most suitable for implementation

• Comprehensive feasibility analyses for the installation of rolling stock safety systems

• Advice on procurement strategy, tender preparation and contracting

In short, we give you reassurance that engineering safety is properly examined and that suitable processes are in place.

What are the benefits?

• Our approach allows you to focus on running your business whilst we address the definition and implementation of your key safety engineering systems.

• Working with your team, we give the specialist knowledge and resource to deliver your technology - reducing your learning curve and the project risk.

• The approach allows us to develop the optimum solution, balancing performance, costs and risk in support of your business objectives.

Recent projects

• We provided safety engineering services for the first major application of axle counters in the UK at North Staffs, and other smaller axle counter applications.

• We prepared safety cases for acceptance of the GETS modular control system, including interfaces with SSI, VHLC electronic interlocking system and route relay interlocking systems.

• We identified the hazards associated with the introduction of new metro stock and developed quantified risk assessments for metro operation.

• We conducted detailed risk analyses of traction and signalling systems, such as train door control systems, train detection systems and signalling control systems.

• We undertook system delivery, engineering, system installation, commissioning and certification to retrofit locomotives with ETCS systems for commercial services on the Betuweroute, Netherlands.

• We supported Infraspeed with their implementation of ETCS on the Dutch HSL-Z (HighSpeed Line South).