HISTORY OF TRAIN SIMULATORS

This article discusses the use of train simulators for locomotive driver training, and the design structure of modern train simulators. In the USA, train simulation has been in common use for over 20 years for driver training and certification purposes. In Europe, train simulation appeared for the first time in France at the end of the 1980s, as a result of the serious rail accidents there in the mid-1980s. After these accidents, training had to adapt to new techniques to improve the teaching methods used for a vast and complex subject that includes signalling, regulations, the study of lines, repairs to tractive units, and foreign languages in some situations. The different types of train simulator can be combined to provide a very thorough training. They include replicas of a driver's cab, simulation of all types of technical situation involving a locomotive, training for control-command, and ground-to-train radio system simulation. Train simulators have a modular structure, which includes a central computer, a control processor (man-machine interface), and modules for fault detection, driver's cab, driver's instrumentation, brakes, track display, train consist, sounds, ground-to-train communication, and cab movement. The problems of designing a simulator are considered briefly.

• Corporate Authors:

  International Railway Congress Association

  17-21 rue de Louvrain
  1000 Brussels,   Belgium 
• Authors:
  • DELOOZ, F
• Publication Date: 1999-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 40-4
• Serial:
  • RAIL INTERNATIONAL

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Classification; Crashes; Defects; Design; Digital computers; Driver training; History; Prevention; Radio; Railroad tracks; Railroad trains; Safety; Signals; Simulation; Traffic regulations
• Geographic Terms: Europe; United States
• ITRD Terms: 1643: Accident; 1661: Accident prevention; 8513: Classification; 5238: Defect (tech); 9011: Design (overall design); 8673: Digital computer; 1571: Driver training; 8034: Europe; 9096: History; 6947: Radio; 6967: Signal; 9103: Simulation; 1544: Traffic regulations; 1268: Train; 8122: USA
• Subject Areas: Design; History; Law; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00769938
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Oct 7 1999 12:00AM