An Integrated Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability Approach for Metro Systems

This paper presents the integrated Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (RAM) approach applied to the design of Metro systems aiming to achieve the overall system-level RAM requirements. It presents the processes, plans, guidelines and techniques applied during the various design stages with the objective to assess RAM performance and at the same time influence design and procurement decisions. It explores the recording and management of RAM-derived requirements identified during various RAM studies that are transferred to the design, supply chain and operation and maintenance, preparing the grounds to allow the systems to perform as expected. Furthermore, it shows methodologies and procedures deployed during construction, testing and commissioning, trial running, and system acceptance periods to monitor, mitigate performance risks, and demonstrate RAM performance from the asset level to the system level, aiming to ensure the overall expected system performance is achieved.

Further details are provided about an integrated tool for RAM data management producing consistent and integrated outputs for Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA), Spare Part Analysis, Special Tools and Equipment List, Preventative Maintenance Analysis, Corrective Maintenance Analysis and Life Cycle Cost (LCC). It also discusses how the various pieces of work are interlinked and integrated throughout the various stages of the projects.

Keywords: Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, FMECA, Analysis, LCC, Requirements, Demonstration, FRACAS.

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