Derivation of Safety Targets for the Random Failure of Programmable Vehicle Based Systems

Increasingly, the dependability of vehicle based programmable systems is becoming a key feature in ensuring the safety of those in and around the vehicle. The goal of those responsible for the design and manufacture of such systems must be to control adequately the associated risks so that the potential of the technology may be exploited fully. The Motor Industry Software Reliability Association (MISRA) has provided guidance for the management of the safety risks associated with software, but there is no comparable guidance for the management of the risks associated with the random failure of electronic hardware. This paper describes the development of an automotive industry specific risk model and goes on to derive safety targets for the random failure of programmable vehicle based systems. In addition the work provides a basis for comparison between the MISRA Guidelines and related national and international standards.