Experiences from Nieuwegein depot (Utrecht)

Two years have passed since LANDER installed a tram driving simulator at the Nieuwegein depot. Aswin de Langen, QBuzz instructor in Utrecht, remembers it perfectly. After the team of instructors was trained by the Project Manager, the team started their training on the simulator. According to De Langen, the training process was structured into two phases. A first re-training phase to train drivers of SIG trams on the new CAF trams recently acquired by the company. And a second training phase to help drivers become acquainted with the new route.

De Langen also mentions that, after two years, the simulator has gone beyond its basic functions, providing refresher training to drivers who have returned to their post after a long period of leave, as well as to transfer greater knowledge about operators.

De Langen stated that more than 100 tram drivers have been trained with the simulator since the unit was installed and commissioned. In addition, he mentions that most drivers have shown their satisfaction with the simulator training process, which has allowed them to simulate a real driving scenario in a safe environment.

QBuzz is aware of the big advantages of using the simulator, which allows its drivers to acquire a vast understanding of the operation of rolling stock and of the routes on which they will operate before operating the vehicles in a real environment. In turn, this also reduces the use of the actual vehicles during training procedures and allows more than one driver to be trained at the same time. They also mention that their aim is to continue using it, training new drivers, OCCs and other profiles responsible for operations at the depot.

We would like to thank Mr De Langen for sharing his experience with us and, in general, for the warm and personal treatment from the QBuzz team. On January this year, the team celebrated his birthday, which was also when LANDER installed this system two years ago, while also checking the updates requested for the simulator.

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