Synthesis-Based Engineering for bridge and lock renovations

The Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management (Rijkswaterstaat, RWS) is ready to apply Synthesis-Based Engineering (SBE) as standard in renovations of movable bridges and locks to map out control requirements before they are included in tender documents. This should lead to more efficient cooperation with market parties implementing the control software for RWS. This decision was preceded by years of collaboration on SBE with TNO-ESI and the Control Systems Technology section of Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). RWS made this decision after successful pilots and a market consultation.

Correct control requirements

A bridge or lock is controlled by control software that ensures the object operates correctly and safely. The software prevents a bridge from opening when cars drive over it, for example, and is therefore essential to avoid unsafe situations, damage, and injury. Although RWS leaves the development of control software to market parties, it is responsible for providing the control requirements that the control software must meet in the tendering process. These requirements must be unambiguous, correct, complete, and consistent, including for failure situations, such as when a sensor or motor unexpectedly breaks down.

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Synthesis-Based Engineering

Synthesis-Based Engineering (SBE) is an advanced method in which models are used to develop control software. It enables parties such as RWS to efficiently achieve high-quality control software, and computer support assists them in this process.

Dennis Hendriks, researcher at TNO-ESI, calls SBE a method in which models of systems are used to generate the control logic of systems from control requirements. “The synthesis algorithm cleverly calculates all possible situations, sometimes many billions, and guarantees that the generated control logic meets the control requirements in all those situations. The system behavior can then be validated employing simulation, and the implementation can be made automatically through code generation.”

This method saves RWS a lot of time, according to Harry Lammeretz, program manager at RWS. “The process from concept to realization takes several years. We can now include all stakeholders in the design at an early stage. For example, we can show asset managers and operators how the object will ultimately work, using simulations and visualizations. That saves a lot of time in later phases. It also allows us to make adjustments more quickly. It shortens the design cycle enormously. Furthermore, we expect less coordination with market parties who will realize the implementation for us after the tendering process, which leads to more efficient execution and lower costs.”