Polish train simulator will help train locomotive drivers

This project is an attempt to tackle the challenge facing the railway industry; according to the Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure, as of 2018 the Polish rail operators will be required to train locomotive drivers on simulators.

The new way of training is intended to improve driver\'s reactions to emergency situations, e.g. sudden appearance of obstacles on the tracks, skidding or derailment. Right now, if such a situation does not occur during training, new driver may never have an opportunity to practice their response in emergency situations during the course. Simulators will provide this opportunity.

"When designing the simulator, we took into account various real factors affecting driving a rail vehicle and enabled their introduction into a training process using the latest technology" - said Wojciech Strusiński, VP of Qumak SA. "As a result, future and present drivers will be able to learn the correct responses to emergency events that occur while driving" - he said.

In Simtraq, simulator developed by the Warsaw company, it is possible to map various rail routes around the world in 3D. The image of the environment is displayed on the driver\'s cab windows. In addition, a six-step motion platform recreates the forces acting on the driver when driving in various weather conditions and various different events - which is a novelty compared to existing simulation solutions.

Creators of Simtraq emphasize that the motion platform is a necessary element when using the simulator in the training of drivers because of the phenomenon known as "simulation disease". It occurs when a person participating in the simulation receives visual stimuli that suggest movement - but at the same time signals are sent to the brain that the person is not in motion. Such a person is not able to spend more than a few to twenty minutes in the simulation.

"The simulation disease phenomenon occurs even in persons training to be pilots in the Polish Air Force Academy in Deblin - and at approx. 7 thousand candidates for 90 places per year, only persons in the best physical condition are accepted" - told PAP Rafał Trznadel, who works on Simtraq. "It is easy to imagine how common this phenomenon may be in people whose medical results are not quite as good" - he suggested.

Rafał Trznadel explained that this phenomenon disappears when motion platform are applied - enabling training of persons, for whom traditional simulators are difficult.

"We have so coherent system, which acts on the body in the full spectrum - continued Trznadel. - Selective solution, reflecting the functionality of the traction vehicle can of course be used for initial training. But when you really want to put a person in the simulator for an hour, challenge this person with a variety of difficult, unusual situations, you may find that a large proportion of trainees will not be able to stand it."

"Motion platform is the physical basis for ensuring the availability of these courses - otherwise some people will automatically fall out, because they will not be able to spend three hours a year in the simulator" - summed up Rafał Trznadel.

The simulator created by Poles is available in four versions. The basic version is a mobile training centre, or full simulator with driver\'s cabin, placed on a motion - all this is placed on a trailer. There is also a stationary version of the simulator. In addition, a version of the simulator for the VR goggles using of a personal platform motion has been developed, as well as a program for playback on personal computers.

Train simulator was developed in cooperation with the Institute of Railway, Military University of Technology and the Centre for Continuing Education in Transportation Engineering "IKKU." The project was carried out within the framework of the program "Demonstrator+" subsidised by the National Research and Development Centre.

PAP - Science and Scholarship in Poland

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