EN 5012X Functional Safety Engineer of Railway Applications Training and Certification
Functional Safety in the Railway Industry: EN 50126, EN 50716, EN 50129, EN 50159
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In the modules of this training on functional safety in the railway industry, aligned with EN 50126, EN 50716, EN 50129, and EN 50159, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the processes required for your role within the safety lifecycle. Functional safety aims to reduce risks arising from hazardous system malfunctions to an acceptable level—an increasingly critical objective as modern railway systems grow more complex, integrating hardware and software from diverse sources. Through practical examples, the course introduces key topics, including the role of supporting processes, resulting work products, and the effective use of the Safety Plan across different lifecycle stages. Upon completion, you will receive a certificate of attendance, and by successfully passing the final examination, you will earn the Railway – Functional Safety Engineer certification. If you wish to pursue the Railway – Functional Safety Professional level certification, our Academy Advisors will guide you through the necessary prerequisites and next steps.
Testimonials:
- "As a first-time participant in Functional Safety Engineering for Railway Applications, this training provided an excellent foundation. I gained a clear understanding of the safety processes, key standards, and how to effectively evaluate risk within railway projects. The explanations were thorough and easy to follow, making even complex concepts very accessible."
- "This course gave me valuable insight into the full landscape of European railway safety documentation. I particularly appreciated the comprehensive overview of all relevant norms and how they interconnect. The content was very well structured and clearly explained, making it highly practical for real-world applications."
This training program is designed for professionals involved in or responsible for functional safety management in the railway industry, as well as individuals aiming to build a career in this field. It is particularly relevant for developers (software and hardware), testers, project managers and leads, quality representatives, safety officers and managers, and test engineers. The course also benefits users and integrators of safety devices and systems, as well as anyone working with EN 5012x and EN 50159 standards who is focused on the development of programmable electronic safety systems and seeks to apply internationally recognized best practices.
Railway standards for functional safety are:
Module A: EN 50126 (IEC 62278) - RAMS
- Overview: EU Directives, Understanding Standardization, Standards in Railway Signaling Technology
- Definitions
- Elements of RAMS and influencing factors
- Risk / Risk Analysis
- Safety Integrity
- Life Cycle Model
Module B: EN 50129 (IEC 62425) - System Safety
- Definitions and scope
- Requirements for quality management
- Security Management Requirements
- Technical requirements
- The safety certificate and the safety certificate (reports)
- Technical and functional safety
- Evaluation Methods (FMEA, FTA, Markov Models)
Module C: EN 50716 (IEC 62279) – Software
- Definitions
- Software Security Requirement Levels (SSAS)
- Personnel and responsibilities
- Life Cycle Model
- Use of COTS software
- Requirements of the life cycle phases
- Verification / Validation
- Techniques / Measures
Module D: EN 50159 – Safety relevant data transfer
- Safety Transmission System Reference Architectures
- Threat / Defense Overview
Examination on last day
- Test (3h) for Functional Safety Certified Engineer / Professional for the Railway Industry
- Certificate of attendance states EN 50126 (IEC 62278), EN 50129 (IEC 62425), EN 50716 (IEC 62279) and EN 50159
- Condition for the Functional Safety Engineer/Professional examination is the participation in all training days.
This three and a half-day course includes the following standards with an exam on the final day:
EN 50126 (IEC 62278): Specification and Demonstration of Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety (RAMS)
EN 50129 (IEC 62425): Safety related electronic systems for signaling
EN 50716 (IEC 62279): Software for railway control and protection systems
EN 50159: Safety-related communication in transmission systems
Successful completion of the course examination is required to receive a TÜV SÜD Academy certificate for this course.
- Gain a comprehensive overview of functional safety and the key planning activities required for safety-oriented development in the railway industry.
- Develop a solid understanding of essential hardware safety methods, including FMEA, FTA, and Markov models, along with the related processes and activities.
- Learn the core processes and testing approaches necessary for developing safety-critical software.
- Understand data transmission threats and acquire the skills to assess and calculate the risk rate of communication channels.
- Course delivered by one of TÜV SÜD's leading industry experts
- Small class sizes enhance trainer-delegate relationship
- Receive globally recognized TÜV SÜD certificate upon completion
The program consists of a 3.5 day instructor-led training, which includes a proctored certification examination on the final day (3 hours). Certification is available at Level 1 (Engineer) and Level 2 (Professional) with the examination incorporated into the overall program duration.
The training may be delivered either as a live virtual classroom or as an on-site, face-to-face session. In both formats, participants engage in a comprehensive learning experience that includes lectures, case studies, group exercises, discussions, problem-solving activities, practical examples, assignments, and quizzes.
When delivered virtually, the course is conducted live online using virtual classroom technology, allowing participants to attend from any internet-accessible location. The format enables real-time interaction with the instructor and peers, supporting questions, discussion, and collaborative learning. A webcam and microphone are required for participation and for the online proctored examination.
When delivered on site, the training takes place in a traditional classroom environment, emphasizing in-person instruction, hands-on activities, group interaction, and immediate feedback from the instructor.
Both delivery options provide the same high-quality content, interactive learning experience, and level of instructor support.
The course content and structure have been developed by TÜV SÜD domain experts. Drawing on extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of relevant standards, TÜV SÜD’s product specialists and technical experts have designed the program to align with current industry practices, business needs, and market requirements.
Requirements for Live Proctoring Examination:
- Students need to connect to the training session from an internet accessible location.
- Webcam and Microphone are REQUIRED.
- The examination venue must be a self-contained private room or office.
- When prompted by the online exam proctor, the complete work environment/room must be shown using the camera.
- There must be no other people in the room.
- No other materials are allowed in the vicinity of the PC/laptop other than permitted resources.
- No texts on the walls or desk.
- Quiet surroundings and no music, television or other sources of noise.
- No other computers or devices in the room are to be switched on.
- The room must be sufficiently lit (equivalent to daylight).
- Participants are not permitted to create or distribute transcripts of the examination contents (electronically and/or manually).
- Participant makes/receives a telephone call during the examination.
- Another person appears in the room.
- During the examination, the browser displaying the examination is left and answers are researched online despite this being prohibited by the examination regulations (closed book).
- Documents/notes are positioned on or around the laptop/monitor that enable the participant to cheat.
Successful participants who attend at least 90% of the total training duration will receive a Certificate of Attendance.
Successful participants who pass the examination will receive the Functional Safety Engineer of Railway Applications certification.
The program culminates with an online proctored examination:
- The duration of the final exam is 120 minutes.
- The test is a multiple-choice exam consisting of 55 questions.
- The exam is considered passed with 28 or more correct answers.
- The maximum possible score is 55 points.
It is highly recommended learners obtain a copy of the relevant ISO standard(s) to reference during the course. These standards can be purchased through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) at www.ansi.org, the American Society for Quality (ASQ) at www.asq.org, or any other authorized distributor of international standards.
Qualification levels:
Level 1: Leading to title: “Functional Safety Engineer” (Beginner Level)
- Proof of safety project experience is not required
- It is highly recommended to participate at the corresponding TÜV SÜD training modules.
- Multiple choice questions
Level 2: Leading to title: “Functional Safety Professional” (Intermediate Level)
Requirements for admission to the course:
- 6 years of industry experience in Functional Safety.
- The evidence of the following educational qualifications will be counted towards:
- Bachelor's degree: 2 years
- Master's degree: 3 years
- Ph.D. degree: 4 years
- Evidence of participation in two Functional Safety projects.
- It is recommended to participate at the corresponding TÜV SÜD training modules.
- Multiple choice and open questions
- Extra cost of $715 USD (CAD $987) not included in price.
Please note that this course training includes the cost examination for Level 1, leading to title "Functional Safety Engineer". If you're intending to achieve Level 2 certification, please contact our team of Academy advisors ([email protected]) to submit the evidence required and payment for the Level 2 examination.
1. What is this training about?
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to functional safety in the railway industry, covering key CENELEC standards including EN 50126 (RAMS), EN 50129 (system safety), EN 50716 (software), and EN 50159 (communication systems).
2. Who should attend this training?
This training is designed for professionals involved in railway safety and system development, including:
- Software and hardware engineers
- Test engineers and validation specialists
- Project managers and technical leads
- Safety managers, officers, and quality professionals
- System integrators and users of safety-related systems
3. What will I learn from this course?
Participants will gain:
- A strong understanding of functional safety concepts and lifecycle processes
- Knowledge of RAMS (Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, Safety) principles
- Practical skills in risk analysis and safety evaluation methods (e.g., FMEA, FTA)
- Understanding of software safety development and verification/validation
- Ability to assess communication risks in railway systems
4. Which standards are covered?
The course covers the core railway functional safety standards:
- EN 50126 – RAMS lifecycle and risk management
- EN 50129 – Safety of signaling systems
- EN 50716 (EN 50128) – Software for railway control systems
- EN 50159 – Safety-related communication systems
5. How long is the training?
The training is 3.5 days, including a certification exam on the final day.
6. Is there an exam included?
Yes. The course includes a final certification exam:
- Duration: approx. 120 minutes
- Format: multiple-choice
- Number of questions: 55
- Passing score: minimum 28 correct answers
7. What certification will I receive?
Participants receive:
- A Certificate of Attendance (with ≥90% attendance)
- A TÜV SÜD Functional Safety Engineer certification upon passing the exam.
8. Is this certification recognized?
Yes. The certification is issued by TÜV SÜD, a globally recognized organization in safety, certification, and compliance.
9. Are there different certification levels?
Yes:
- Level 1 – Functional Safety Engineer (included in this training)
- Level 2 – Functional Safety Professional (requires additional experience and a different exam)
10. Will I learn about railway risk management?
Yes. The course covers:
- Hazard identification and risk analysis
- Safety lifecycle processes
- Risk acceptance and evaluation methods
- Safety Integrity Levels (SIL) and safety targets
11. Does the course include communication safety topics?
Yes. EN 50159 topics include:
- Communication threats (e.g., message corruption, delay, insertion)
- Safety mechanisms and defenses
- Safety codes and cryptographic techniques
12. Can this training be delivered in-house?
Yes. TÜV SÜD offers custom in-house delivery tailored to organizational needs. TÜV SÜD additionally offers the opportunity to deliver this training as a dedicated in-house course, delivered solely to your organisation to meet your needs and requirements. To receive a quote and find out more information, please contact us at [email protected].
13. What industries or projects is this training relevant for?
This training is applicable to:
- Railway signaling and control systems
- Infrastructure and rolling stock projects
- Safety-critical software and hardware development
- System integration and certification activities
14. Why is functional safety important in railway systems?
Functional safety ensures that hazards caused by system failures are reduced to acceptable levels, which is critical as railway systems become more complex and integrated