Modern simulation training systems for smooth and safe

railway operations
(a)
Steffen Gliniorz
(a) Funkwerk Information Technologies GmbH

Article Information Abstract

Keywords: Purpose:
Simulation, Practise-oriented state-of-the-art simulator training for smooth and safe railway operations
Training,
Method:
Signalmen,
Simulation training for signalmen and train dispatchers
Train controllers.
Result:
Corresponding author: Increased safety on the railway network and fewer delays due to enhanced handling
confidence
Steffen Gliniorz
Tel.: +49 (0) 431 2481 449 Discussion & Conclusion:
Fax.: +49 (0) 431 2481 501 Integrated simulation training in railway organisations is a must and virtual reality will be a
e-mail: part of it in future.
steffen.gliniorz@funkwerk-it.com
Address: Edisonstrasse 3, 24145
Kiel, Germany

scenario can be loaded into the simulation and each

1 Introduction situation can be repeated as often as required.
Additionally the “training-only” environment differs
Europe’s leading simulation training system for significantly from training in operational control centres
signallers is the Operations and Interlocking Simulation where trainees and trainers are often distracted by the
System BEST developed by Funkwerk Information current operation and ad-hoc problems.
Technologies GmbH (Funkwerk IT). Within the last 20
years Funkwerk IT has delivered simulation systems and
training concepts to nearly 20 different railway and metro
organisations. Every year approximately 3,500 train
controllers and signalmen from Europe’s major railways
and metros are trained with BEST. The presentation gives
an overview on the different applications of simulation
training systems at numerous railway systems worldwide
like Deutsche Bahn AG DB AG), Austrian Railways
(ÖBB), Swiss Railways (SBB) and Infrabel.

2 Enhanced quality in the training of

signalmen and train dispatchers due Fig. 1 Joint training scenario in a team.
to simulation training
Furthermore the BEST simulation system can emulate
Operating railways with maximum safety and perfectly
different interlocking systems and traffic control systems in
on time requires highly developed safety systems and
one simulator. It is possible to simulate local control
efficiently trained train traffic controllers and signalmen.
panels, remote control of relay interlocking and electronic
Most signalmen and train traffic controllers today are
interlocking. Different training scenarios are possible with
trained by using realistic simulation systems to gain within
the simulation. The trainees can work independently at
a short period of time valuable experience and to learn
their own workplace or they can work together in a joint
how to reduce the negative effects of disruptions and
scenario with different roles and defined responsibilities.
technical failures to a minimum.
In such a scenario the local control can be operated by
one trainee and others can be responsible for the
The main benefit of the BEST simulation is the
centralised control from a control centre. This facilitates
enhanced quality of the training sessions. For each basic,
the running of training courses for different interlocking
start-up or refresher training session a defined training
Steffen Gliniorz Modern simulation training systems
for smooth and safe railway operations

systems in one location. Travel times to different locations 3 Conclusion

for training and introduction are subsequently reduced.
In summary, the major benefits of simulator usage in
Furthermore integrated training systems enable train training of signalmen and train controllers are increased
drivers, signalmen and train controllers to work together safety on the railway network due to reduced human
at their simulated workstation and solve practical failures and fewer delays due to appropriate decisions
problems in traffic operations. Such an integrated training made by the operators.
environment enables new staff to easily understand all
aspects of railway operations. For these advanced
scenarios the BEST simulation can be connected to train References
driving simulators or a dispatching simulation system.
[1] J. Demitz. Simulated scenarios offer real-life results.
Virtual reality is becoming more and more interesting International Railway Journal 08/2010
for training systems. Signalmen often have to handle [2] N. Bolln, I. Hrivnák, Y. Werner, E. Devriendt. Training
more tasks than just train operation, e.g. to supervise the Simulator BEST at Infrabel, Belgium. Signal+Draht
stations with CCTV for station security. For this task 01+02/2009
special skills are needed, like assessing different
situations to react correctly. Today computer generated
images or recorded videos with all kinds of situations
needed for the training can be used. The BEST simulation
is able to integrate these mediums for a more intensive
and realistic training.

Fig. 2 Training under realistic conditions

Although the quality of the simulator training may be

hard to quantify, feedback from the operators confirms
that they usually feel more comfortable and more self
confident in critical situations after being trained on a
simulator.

The economical benefits of the simulator must also be

highlighted. Instead of training on operational systems
during the night and outside regular operation, simulator
training can be conducted during normal working hours.
Consequently there are no additional staff costs for night
time working for both trainers and trainees. Using a
simulator instead of an operational system means no
additional technical staff is required. Instead of creating
failures manually (e.g. signal and point failures inserted
by manipulation in a relay room) a simulator offers a
broad range of failure situations for training.

By using a simulator training periods can be shortened

or improved. Surveys among several simulator users
have shown that most training departments have not
shortened their training times but used the additional
training time for gaining more experience and improving
the quality of the training. If the same training content was
conducted without a simulator the training time would
have increased by approximately 30 %. Besides,
simulator trained operators confirm that they feel more
comfortable and self confident in critical situations after
their training.

April 6th – 8th, 2011, Madrid,Spain Proceedings of the WCRT2011