Tramway driving simulators revolutionise training in Vienna

The training of Wiener Linien’s more than 1,500 tramway drivers is undergoing a technical upgrade: from summer 2019 future trainee drivers will be able to access real-life situational exercises in a safe, controlled and simulated setting.

To some, simulators are seen as a rather ‘simple’ tool for teaching and training, but they play a vital role in the way drivers are educated about their operational behaviour. This is just one part of continuous training improvements Wiener Linien has been implementing, which together with other efforts, are helping to improve knowledge, performance, quality and safety.

From the earliest days of Wiener Linien’s simulator development, the training department and tram operations divisions have worked together to build its content, with input from daily operation incorporated in the training programmes.

Simulator design

The core elements of the new training centre, developed and supplied by the Spanish company LANDER Simulation and Training Solutions, are two complex desk simulators – one for the ultra-low floor tram (ULF) vehicle and one for the Flexity vehicle. The ULF vehicle has been in use on Vienna’s tram network since 1998, while the new Flexity vehicle was introduced this year.

The trainer and observer station during a multiple choice test

Both driving simulators include a replica of the driver desk and a panoramic view of the front and side view out of the driver’s cabin, realised with a five-channel visual system. A seat motion platform ensures that the training scenarios seem more realistic, particularly for first timers. A so-called virtual train controlled by a touch screen beside the driving simulator replicates the rest of the train for all tasks outside the driver’s cabin, for example inside the passenger compartment or on the infrastructure of the tram network. Since the ULF and Flexity vehicles are unidirectional, the driving simulators are additionally equipped with a replica of the shunt panel from the tail end of the vehicles. This means that a second, simplified simulator is part of each simulation system in order to train the driving procedures of shunting movements and all other driving actions against the regular driving direction. At specific training stations, a simulation exercise can be created and monitored by instructors. Each of the two available trainer stations are additionally equipped with an observation station where other trainees can follow the exercises.

A simulated car accident obstructs tramlines to teach drivers what to do in such a situation

One of Wiener Linien’s main hopes for future training is a very high degree of interaction with the high-density traffic of individualtransport, the pedestrians and passengers. To achieve these ambitious goals, the simulation system manufacturer had to develop new – or enhance existing – simulated incidents in a realistic environment demonstrating exceptional situations on a large scale. Special situations have been built, such as a pedestrian crossing the train tracks directly behind a standing tram travelling in the opposite direction, or a car door opening from a parking space in a reserved area that protrudes into the clear space of the approaching tram. In both cases, the trainer can configure the level of difficulty as well as other parameters in advance. Using the example of the parked car, not only can the moment the car door is opened be altered, it is also possible to define whether the car lights and/or its interior lights are shining a certain time span before it happens.

Educational advantages

What are the advantages of training in a simulator compared to just conventional lessons? The most valuable part of simulation-based training is that it includes incidents that usually cannot be trained for, but that drivers nevertheless need to be aware of and tested on. Moreover, a simulator helps to improve efficiency when training in areas of safety, rules and regulations, and correct or safe actions when under pressure. All of this enables training to be carried out in a protected environment, not dependent on outer circumstances or surroundings or influenced by the potentially unreliable actions of trainees.

Training at Wiener Linien is usually carried out in groups, so it is extremely valuable for all of the other group members to watch the performance of the trainee in the simulator and view their actions via screens to improve their own learning experience. To ensure this, either the group or each trainee themselves are given a specific task that has to be documented in a worksheet. This didactic approach was successfully initiated at Wiener Linien’s metro simulator and will also be implemented for the training routines at the tram simulator. Constant repetition is very important for a tram driver and each exercise goes together with a preliminary introduction and a debriefing moderated by a trainer.
In general, possible scenarios for all of these can be separated into three groups, following Wiener Linien’s typical training exercises:

Initial training

It is important to the operational response unit that future drivers receive a lot of practical training, putting theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom into practice. Public transport systems are highly efficient, dense systems with high frequency and crowded headways, making practical, in situ training relatively limited.
The simulator offers a more flexible training programme, with a greater range of possible exercises and target-oriented instructions. Simulator-based exercises provide enough time for trainees to think about the correct procedures and handlings, positively increasing the effectiveness of their training through self-correction and reducing the need for instructor intervention. Every hour of practical training is important.

An even more important aspect of driver training concerns disturbances. In daily operation, where focus is on the passenger and staying on schedule, it is extremely important for the driver to be able to solve potential problems that could arise, although naturally this is limited as drivers are not technical professionals. Disturbances can be technical problems concerning interiors or procedures, while others include possible human error in handling the tram. When training in the simulator, even unexperienced drivers can study and repeat the most important procedures in overcoming these problems. Successfully overcoming real challenges is a valuable effect of simulation-based training and can boost trainees’ motivation to learn.

Re-training after incidents

If an incident has happened and shortcomings in the driver’s ability are discovered, the driver will usually receive specific training. In this case, the simulator can be used to improve the awareness, readiness and knowledge of the driver in specific situations. In cooperation with the training department, which is executing the measures, a tailor-made training programme is designed on the specific incident. Instructors will be able to go into details with the driver and do intensive work on the specific unclear situations. It will be possible to measure the effectiveness of their learning by seeing if the driver can immediately implement what he or she has been taught practically in the simulator. In cases such as these, the driver is able to ask questions and see the impact of their behaviour.

Annual training

At Wiener Linien, tram drivers are given an annual refresher training course which includes topics for all drivers. The annual content is put together by the training department with input from the operations team, who utilise experiences of incidents and situations that have occurred, adding new regulations, technical developments and operational procedures.
The programme design includes new content, the repetition of typically difficult scenarios and practical ‘live’ training situations as if the trainees/drivers were sitting in the tram. In this case, the focus is not generally on learning to drive a tram but rather on developing attitudes and behaviours in the whole team towards past situations, while making them familiar with different situations.

New and future approaches for training and evaluation

Wiener Linien follows a clear vision of training geared towards the future. With our system supplier, Wiener Linien has found a reliable partner for innovative solutions and excellence in training. New training approaches, such as software that highlights objects that are within an approaching tram’s immediate space or that are within a very small area, are critical points of contact. This safety distance module can also be used for indicating if the distance to the next train travelling in the same driving direction is too short based on the velocity of the tram. Depending on a trainee’s skill, the safety distance module can either be fully visible or invisible, helping to tailor the learning to the individual needs of that trainee.

Another new approach is to integrate e-learning aspects with the simulation-based training. For example, multiple choice questions can be integrated in simulation exercises that enable Wiener Linien to evaluate both the reaction of the trainees in situations where they are faced with predefined challenges, and the operational knowledge they require to meet these challenges in the correct way. The same multiple-choice questions are proposed to all trainees that are following the simulation exercise via the observation station. At the end of the exercise, the results are analysed for all trainees. This ensures that the observing trainees remain focused and involved throughout the entirety of the simulation session.

There are additional new system functions on Wiener Linien’s agenda, such as the existing interface of an eye tracking system and its further development to full integration within the driving-simulation system. Wiener Linien continues in its efforts to improve driver training in accordance with ever-evolving technology and changes in the transport needs of our city.

Biographies 

Thomas Kritzer joined Wiener Linien in 2004 and is Head of the Tramway Operations Division. Within this division, he is responsible for managing operations on 28 tram lines with about 1,500 staff members, carrying almost a million passengers per day. The division plans and prepares Wiener Linien´s tramway operation, as well as being in charge of operational duties, documentation and evaluation of service quality. Responsibilities also include strategic development of the division and mode and, together with other departments, further development of tram lines and the future of mobility at Wiener Linien.

Ralph Fromwald joined Wiener Linien in 2011 as controller for the operating divisions. From 2012 to 2013, he was also internal consultant and project controller supporting various projects at the organisation. Since 2014, Fromwald has held the role of deputy head of the training department being responsible for the organisation and training of around 500 trainees becoming a bus, tram or metro driver each year. As of 2016, he is also in charge of the eLearning team, that designs and supports eLearning modules in order to introduce blended learning at Wiener Linien. Fromwald is now also the responsible project manager for the implementation of the new tram driving-simulator.