ABSTRACT
Over the last decades more and more processes for demonstrating the safety of systems and arguing decisions about safety have evolved. Even though these processes are sometimes labeled differently, the basic assumptions and definitions as well as the major general outlines are often alike. This paper aims at comparing processes, identifying potentials for improvement in these processes and furthermore fostering a beneficial exchange. European standardization organizations such as CENELEC and European Union entities such as the European Railway Agency (ERA) have taken to establish risk assessment processes in the field of railway safety. Also the nuclear field has seen the rise of a heightened awareness and developed a new integrated decision-making scheme for a more risk-focused approach. This further developed international approach is, in particular, applied in the U.S. by the industry and the regulator, but also increasingly in Europe. The new developed decision-making processes of the nuclear industry and of the ERA will be compared and analyzed, e.g., regarding the benefits each might have on the decision making process. Recommendations for changes or adaptations will be made.
