Federal Railroad Administration - DOT Pt. 236 - App. F - Minimum Requirements for Independent Third-Party Assessment of PTC System Safety Verification and Validation

Sep 4, 2026

Uploaded by Asher

This appendix establishes minimum requirements for mandatory independent third-party assessment of Positive Train Control (PTC) system safety verification and validation under specified subparts of Part 236. It defines the assessment’s purpose: independently evaluate how the manufacturer applies safety design practices during development and testing, aligned with applicable governing PSP, PTCDP, and PTCSP documents and any controlling standards previously agreed. It also sets expectations for the reviewer’s access, evaluation scope, hazard and fault-tree analysis review, identification and documentation of safety vulnerabilities, and auditing via selected safety-critical software modules and hardware components when required.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Appendix F to Part 236—Minimum Requirements

Independent third-party assessment purpose and scope

Reviewer access, independence, and evaluation requirements

Hazard and fault analysis requirements

Safety-critical module selection for audit

Federal Railroad Administration, DOT Pt. 236, App. F (3) HMI design must support contingency planning. (h) Ensure that electronics equipment radio frequency emissions are compliant with appropriate Federal Communications Commission regulations. The FCC rules and regulations are codified in Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) . (1) Electronics equipment must have appropriate FCC Equipment Authorizations. The following documentation is applicable to obtaining FCC Equipment Authorization: (i) OET Bulletin Number 61 (October, 1992 Supersedes May, 1987 issue) FCC Equipment Authorization Program for Radio Frequency Devices. This document provides an overview of the equipment authorization program to control radio interference from radio transmitters and certain other electronic products and an overview of how to obtain an equipment authorization. (ii) OET Bulletin 63: (October 1993) Understanding The FCC Part 15 Regulations for Low Power, Non-Licensed Transmitters. This document provides a basic understanding of the FCC regulations for low power, unlicensed transmitters, and includes answers to some commonly-asked questions. This edition of the bulletin does not contain information concerning personal communication services (PCS) transmitters operating under Part 15, Subpart D of the rules. (iii) 47 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 0 to 19. The FCC rules and regulations governing PCS transmitters may be found in 47 CFR, Parts 0 to 19. (iv) OET Bulletin 62 (December 1993) Understanding The FCC Regulations for Computers and other Digital Devices. This document has been prepared to provide a basic understanding of the FCC regulations for digital (computing) devices, and includes answers to some commonly-asked questions. (2) Designers must comply with FCC requirements for Maximum Permissible Exposure limits for field strength and power density for the transmitters operating at frequencies of 300 kHz to 100 GHz and specific absorption rate (SAR) limits for devices operating within close proximity to the body. The Commission’s requirements are detailed in parts 1 and 2 of the FCC’s Rules and Regulations (47 CFR 1.1307(b), 1.1310, 2.1091, 2.1093) . The following documentation is applicable to demonstrating whether proposed or existing transmitting facilities, operations or devices comply with limits for human exposure to radiofrequency RF fields adopted by the FCC: (i) OET Bulletin No. 65 (Edition 97–01, August 1997), ‘‘Evaluating Compliance With FCC Guidelines For Human Exposure To Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields’’, (ii) OET Bulletin No 65 Supplement A,(Edition 97–01, August 1997), OET Bulletin No 65 Supplement B (Edition 97–01, August 1997) and (iii) OET Bulletin No 65 Supplement C (Edition 01–01, June 2001) . (3) The bulletin and supplements offer guidelines and suggestions for evaluating compliance. However, they are not intended to establish mandatory procedures. Other methods and procedures may be acceptable if based on sound engineering practice. [75 FR 2720, Feb. 15, 2010] APPENDIX F TO PART 236—MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF FRA DIRECTED INDEPENDENT THIRD-PARTY ASSESSMENT OF PTC SYSTEM SAFETY VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION (a) This appendix provides minimum requirements for mandatory independent third-party assessment of PTC system safety verification and validation pursuant to subpart H or I of this part. The goal of this assessment is to provide an independent evaluation of the PTC system manufacturer’s utilization of safety design practices during the PTC system’s development and testing phases, as required by the applicable PSP, PTCDP, and PTCSP, the applicable requirements of subpart H or I of this part, and anyother previously agreed-upon controlling documents or standards. (b) The supplier may request advice and assistance of the independent third-party reviewer concerning the actions identified in paragraphs (c) through (g) of this appendix. However, the reviewer should not enga

FAQs

What is the purpose of the independent third-party assessment in Appendix F to Part 236?

It provides an independent evaluation of how the PTC system manufacturer uses safety design practices during the system’s development and testing phases, consistent with applicable PSP/PTCDP/PTCSP documents and controlling requirements.

What can the supplier request from the independent third-party reviewer?

The supplier may request advice and assistance related to actions in the specified paragraphs, but the reviewer must not engage in design efforts to preserve independence and protect the supplier’s proprietary rights.

What analyses must the reviewer evaluate for hazards and faults?

The reviewer must analyze the Hazard Log and/or other hazard analyses for comprehensiveness and compliance, and review Fault Tree Analyses (FTA), FMECA, and other hazard analyses for completeness, correctness, and compliance.

Sep 4, 2026

Uploaded by Asher