SMRT Circle Line Simulator - A dream come true

In February, following extensive development work Lander delivered the last word in railway simulation systems to date to Singapore operator SMRT. This is not just a traditional simulator for training drivers, but also a new generation of simulation systems based on COLLABORATIVE TRAINING.

This quantum leap, like all the leaps taken in Lander's trajectory, has been thanks to an exchange of knowledge and experience between the SMRT team and Lander. From the outset SMRT had some very clear ambitious ideas concerning the simulation project it intended to develop. They believed it was essential to train their OCC controllers and drivers as a team, under normal daily day-to-day conditions and also in the degraded conditions which could arise during operations. The original idea was perfect, and all they needed was a company that could come up with their goods. After a round of meetings in Singapore and a visit to Lander's facilities in San Sebastián, SMRT finally decided to go with Lander.

And now ... the greatest satisfaction is the outcome. The system developed replicates the current functioning of the Circle Line, including the two types of Alstom train now running on it. It also has an adaptation facility for any new trains purchased in the future. The following is a summary of the hardware for the SMRT Circle Line simulator system:

• 4 replica cabs, with two functioning passenger doors
• Interchangeable consoles for the different Alstom train models
• 2 OCC stations
• 2 instructor stations
• 6 laptop simulators
• 1 observation station

And how does SMRT intend to work with this system? Imagine a driver is operating a train in autonomous mode, while another driver is working under the supervision of an instructor. At the same time, another two drivers are undergoing training in the same scenario with an OCC controller, supervised by another instructor. Simultaneously, another controller is using the OCC station to create service schedules or to carry out any other activity in relation to the OCC station. A further 6 drivers are training in coupling and rescue operations on the laptop simulators. Finally, a group of trainees are viewing the exercises on the screens in the observation station in a group learning session. Can you imagine all this going on at the same time at a single training facility? Well, now it can be done, and it has indeed been done at SMRT. And this is only one example of the unlimited training capacities of such a novel system.

Behind any great project there are always some great people. And this was certainly the case here. Lander wishes to extend its most sincere gratitude to the person in charge of the project at SMRT, Mr. Colin Tan. Colin claimed his daily task was passing on his knowledge to the keen and competent team he is in charge of at the company. Now he can certainly say that he has also served as inspiration to Lander's young but experienced team. This was a challenging project which drummed up enthusiasm among all Lander's staff, boosting their belief in and passion for their daily work. It is a major milestone which is a visible sign of the team's commitment to making railway operations safer and more efficient.

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