ERTMS Users Group (EUG) decided to use the open source tool ERTMSFormalSpecs in the context of their ERTMS specifications change requests.
The contract signed with ERTMS Solutions, the inventor of ERTMSFormalSpecs, includes the use of a DMI and Scenario Editor license, as well as bug fixing and support to the DMI and Scenario Editor modules utilization.
With these tools, EUG will be able to clearly visualize which impact a change request will have on original ERTMS specifications.
Michel Ruesen, Managing Director of the EUG: “Through several Proofs Of Concept, ERTMS Solutions has demonstrated the usefulness of their tools, ERTMSFormalSpecs and its modules: the DMI and Scenario Editor. We are convinced that these tools will support our work and the communication with our stakeholders, which means a lot of time won in the change requests implementations. Also, we decided to train our people by means of the ERTMS Academy, which is again an important gain of time for them in their learning of ERTMSFormalSpecs and its added value components”.
Stanislas Pinte, Managing Director ERTMS Solutions: “This contract is a major step, as it represents the recognition of 5 years of R&D, and the pride, for ERTMS Solutions, to help the railway community”.
ERTMSFormalSpecs is a software tool created by ERTMS Solutions in 2009, specifically designed to formally model ERTMS requirements, both for train borne and trackside systems.
The purpose of ERTMSFormalSpecs is to:
- Better manage (complex) specifications : avoid ambiguity and holes or contradictions
- Easily maintain these specifications
- Provide a formal, traceable model of the specifications that can be simulated and if needed transformed into source code
Specificities of ERTMSFormalSpecs:
- 100% designed for rail industry
- Open source under EUPL license
- Full traceability from specifications to model and tests
- The created model is executable
- The created model can be automatically transformed to source code, to be used in target systems like EVC, RBC or IXL.
- White box testing
The language is designed to be understandable
The ERTMS Users Group was formed in 1995 with the purpose of coordinating the efforts of its member railways in support to the EU policy aimed to facilitate the development and deployment of ERTMS. Over almost 20 years life, the ERTMS Users Group has exclusively acted in this field. The ERTMS Users Group is presently formed by the following European Railways: ADIF/Spain, Banedanmark/Denmark, DB/Germany, Jernbaneverket/Norway (Cooperative Railway), Infrabel/Belgium, Network-Rail/UK, ProRail/Netherlands, RFF/France, RFI/Italy, SBB/Switzerland (Cooperative Railway) and Trafikverket/Sweden. The ERTMS Users Group advises CER, EIM and ERFA in the field of ERTMS and participates in the meetings of the ERTMS MoU Steering Group meetings and the Rail Freight Corridor Group. In 2013, the ERTMS Users Group set up the RU ERTMS/ETCS platform. Aim of this platform is to share experiences and ideas between fleet owners in order to obtain and maintain, at lowest costs possible, a fleet which is capable to run on all ETCS equipped parts of the European network. Participants to this platform are DB Fernverkehr, DB Schenker, MRCE, NS, ÖBB, SBB, SNCB, SNCF, Trenitalia, ATOC, CER, ERFA, EPTTOLA and the ERTMS Users Group. Other relevant stakeholders (EC, ERA, NSA’s, Nobo’s, suppliers and laboratories) are invited on a case by case basis.
Part of our costs on this activity are covered by a 50% grant from INEA under the Connecting Europe Facility