Virtual Reality
Railway Catenary Wire Training
Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality to Train New and Qualified Rail Engineers
With the technology used to operate high-speed trains becoming more sophisticated, the process and methods to train those tasked with operating and maintaining this equipment is also changing. Alongside rail technology developments, virtual reality has emerged as a significant new dimension to rail training.
VR technology can increase the quality and effectiveness of internal education of rail personnel. For instance, our simulated project for PKP Energetyka was quite specific: engineers learn the complex process of working with catenary wire.
The process can involve cutting cables and attaching jacks, all of which require forward-planning and knowledge of the specific requirements for each step. We created a realistic virtual environment for trainees to learn and practice the working steps necessary for their work. As a result, trainees learn how to respond effectively and reliably, even in critical situations.
The benefit of implementing our VR rail training for engineers and personnel is it delivers hands-on learning without the need for real-world training on actual equipment. Plus, VR-enabled devices allow users to quickly learn through training. This eliminates trips, saves time and costs, and critical safety situations can be practiced in a risk-free environment.
In today’s world, virtual reality training can play an important role in helping the rail network meet the global transportation demands of the future.
Client:
PKP Energetyka
Scope:
Customizable VR Training
High-resolution 3D Environment
Internal Education of Rail Personnel
Hands-on Learning
Challenge
Educating the professional and technical workforce for the railway industry presents unique challenges. Safety concerns and limited accessibility to railway systems such as track and maintenance facilities present difficulties for hands-on education. Furthermore, recreating the rail environment for trainees can be costly and impose restrictions on training non-standard situations.
To address these challenges and to meet the knowledge and skill-building needs, immersive learning technologies can be used in the rail training classroom. Simulations can train railroad personnel in numerous possible scenarios and under various circumstances, including special tasks that require the latest equipment.
VR rail training can be an effective tool to increase trainee engagement, increase accessibility to railway engineering systems, and dramatically increase comprehension levels that make the training more memorable.
Solution
Our training is a unique and high-end learning solution that allows catenary engineers to gain knowledge and develop skills in the complex process of anchoring catenary wire. This fully immersive training experience generates a realistic reproduction of specific equipment and a complex rail environment—which is critical.
Our goal was to create a dedicated virtual reality training that can be used to train new and qualified rail engineers. The training leverages the different senses from the learner and provides a unique experience to assist in understanding the essential procedures for working with catenary systems and structures. Trainees must give their full attention to the course, interact with environment objects and work with special tools to receive feedback on their actions.
In this immersive training, a rail engineer can encounter VR in many tasks. The trainee can perform maintenance activities, make engineering computations and structural analysis, undertake inspections, and practice safe work behaviors. Current training scenarios include catenary wire anchoring and contact wire anchoring.
This training was created for PKP Energetyka, the electricity distributor to the Polish railway network.
Client's Review
“We started working with 1000 realities in 2018 and over the two years, we have implemented two different training applications in virtual reality technology.
Both realizations allowed us to implement a complete training and exam in VR with the possibility of reporting which elements were done correctly and which incorrectly by the trainee. Training applications also contain an introduction part (tutorial), which allows less advanced users to get familiar with the virtual world. An element of the training is also preparation for work by collecting the necessary equipment or confirming the accuracy of the documentation.
The realism of the application using a 3D environment is at the highest level. Interactions with space is intuitive (e.g. turning, cutting, stretching). Specialized measuring and traction devices have been mapped with the highest level of detail.
As a result of the work, we implemented the ability to train employees without the need for field trips, which would have involved significant logistical complications and costs.
Cooperation with 1000 realities was exemplary during the development process. We recommend cooperation with 1000 realities in terms of creating immersive technology applications.”
Dariusz Myrcik
Head of Department, PKP Energetyka S.A.
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