SHIFT and SMART-AHS: A Language for Hybrid System Engineering Modeling and Simulation

SHIFT is a new programming language, whose aim is to facilitate the implementation of reusable simulation frameworks by teams of engineers. SHIFT incorporates system theoretic concepts emerging from the field of Hybrid Systems analysis and modeling. The SMART AHS framework is a collection of SHIFT libraries devoted to the construction of Hybrid System based simulation of Automated Highways Systems. In this paper we describe how the SHIFT simulation environment and language have impacted on the development of the SMART AHS framework. Our claim is that SHIFT provides the proper level of abstraction for engineers who face complex modeling and simulation tasks, where phase changes and continuous variables interact in subtle ways.