Test Data Management for the Proof of Functional Safety

ISO MME is an established standard for exchanging test data coming from passive safety tests. However, in order to be able to manage the multitude of test data required for the proof of the functional vehicle safety independently of specific measuring and analysis systems, manufacturers and suppliers require a suitable test data management system. Using the standards ASAM ODS and Peak Test Data Manager for this, has proven itself several times in recent years.

Passenger and pedestrian safety has a prime spot in the automotive industry. While “Active Safety Systems” like lane departure warning or adaptive cruise control aim to avoid accidents by providing advance warning or driving assistance, “Passive Safety Systems” like airbags, seatbelts or specific vehicle design features play an important role in limiting damages and containing injuries to driver, passengers and pedestrians in the event of a crash. 

For many years, the standard ISO/TS 13499 (= ISO MME) has been facilitating the exchange of test data between suppliers, service providers, manufacturers and authorities in the verification, validation and approval of passive safety systems. Passive safety data consists of various data sets such as video footage, photos, sensor data, 3D measurements and meta data. The parties involved use ISO MME to structure their data exchange packages. In this way, they have a common understanding of where the relevant information is located in the exchanged files.

While ISO MME is a good and established standard for structuring the data of a single test, it does not specify how to handle the multitude of tests required to proof the safety of passive safety systems. For this, companies need a suitable test data management system.

Peak Test Data Manager (PTDM) is such a system. It enables companies to comprehensively and transparently manage ISO MME data coming from various passive safety tests. In contrast to proprietary applications, the benefits of using PTDM are manifold.

First it is important to point out, that all data coming from the ISO MME files are imported into ASAM ODS standard and stored there. This ensures that all test data can be researched and clearly be interpreted in the long term, independently of vendor-specific systems.

After importing the data, the web client of the Peak Test Data Manager allows users to navigate through all available test datasets based on various criteria, such as projects, car models, test objects, locations and others. Of course, the available metadata can also be used to search for specific tests. In doing so, customizable search templates offer quick access to defined data sets. An example of this is the search for test results on a specific vehicle model that were determined according to the vehicle safety assessment regulation EURO NCAP (= European New Car Assessment Program). The figure below shows how such templates can be used.

Comparable programs are ANCAP (Australia), ASEAN NCAP (Southeast Asia), C-NCAP (China), JNCAP (Japan), IIHS-HLDI (USA), KNCAP (South Korea), Latin NCAP (South America) and US NCAP (USA)

A further important aspect of using Peak Test Data Manager is the harmonization of test descriptions. Meta data templates ensure that all tests of a given type use the same describing attributes. In addition to the ISO-MME attributes this can also be additional department-specific information or more precise descriptions of the test setup. Since possible entries in the various meta data attributes become predefined or validated by the templates, e.g. by storing all possible car models in a value list, high data quality is guaranteed from the onset.

Different units such as m/s, km/h or miles/h are often used for measurements, although they all describe the same physical quantity. Peak Test Data Manager can synchronize those different units. This is done by defining valid units and conversions between them. Thus, measurements become comparable.

There are also advantages in terms of the increasing requirements in the area of information security, e.g. according to ISO 27001 or TISAX. Peak Test Data Manager makes it possible to create personal access rights based on entries in the ISO MME metadata. For example, thus users only have access to the test data which is related to specific projects, car models, locations, or other criteria.

Another strong argument for Peak Test Data Manager is the flexibility of the underlying data model. New meta data attributes, test templates, quantities or units of measurement can be created at any time. It is therefore no problem to easily integrate new test types into the system via customizing, even after years of operation.

And last but not least, it should also be pointed out that the web client of the Peak Test Data Manager accesses ASAM ODS via an encapsulated REST API. This allows companies to move their data management solution to a cloud infrastructure at any time.

The following link leads you to an on-demand presentation of Christian Domrös, Global Product and Partner Manager at Peak Solution, which shows you in more detail how ISO MME data resulting from passive safety tests can be comprehensively and transparently managed with the help of ASAM ODS and Peak Test Data Manager: 

Video Managing ISO MME data with Peak Test Data Manager (English)