This standard provides an outline for the software documentation that shall be developed and delivered for rail equipment and systems.

This standard establishes the minimum requirements for application software documentation throughout the software development life cycle for rail equipment and systems including associated test and maintenance equipment.

Many different requirements for application software documentation are presently being specified for software used in rail equipment and systems and for related applications. This has led to a lack of standardization in the information provided on equipment and systems incorporating software. This standard, when used by the authority having jurisdiction, car builders and system/subsystem suppliers is intended to specify documents which improve the understanding of software functionality, facilitate software corrections and upgrades, improve on-time delivery, assist the development of quality software, and lower software acquisition and maintenance costs.