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Definition and Analysis of a New Risk Priority Number Concept

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Probabilistic Safety Assessment and Management

Abstract

Risk Priority Numbers (RPNs) are a powerful qualitative method for discovering and prioritising critical issues in early design phases. They have become very popular in particular as a tool in automotive or software Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA). However, it has been shown that the existing RPN concept is seriously flawed. This paper presents a theoretical approach towards a new RPN concept, called the Improved Risk Priority Number (IRPN), which is based on a sound model of risk and can be used with equal ease, but does not suffer from the shortcomings of the existing RPN concept. A particular example from a railway application is discussed.

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References

  1. Bowles, J.: Failure Modes, Effects, And Criticality Analysis: What It Is And How To Use It, Tutorial, RAMS 1999

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  3. Analysis techniques for system reliability — Procedure for failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), IEC 60812

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Siemens AG -Transportation Systems, Braunschweig, Germany

    Jens Braband

Authors
  1. Jens Braband
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. TÜV Süddeutschland, Dudenstrasse 28, D-68167, Mannheim, Germany

    Cornelia Spitzer Dipl.-Math.

  2. Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (HSK), CH-5232, Villigen-HSK, Switzerland

    Ulrich Schmocker PhD

  3. Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI), CH-5232, Villigen PSI, Switzerland

    Vinh N. Dang PhD

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© 2004 Springer-Verlag London

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Braband, J. (2004). Definition and Analysis of a New Risk Priority Number Concept. In: Spitzer, C., Schmocker, U., Dang, V.N. (eds) Probabilistic Safety Assessment and Management. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-410-4_322

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-410-4_322

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-1057-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-85729-410-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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