Final Report Summary - 2TRAIN (Training of Train Drivers in safety relevant issues with validated and integrated computer-based technology)
The establishment of safe, competitive and interoperable railways in Europe demands a particular attention to the qualification of train drivers. In order to strengthen a European harmonisation in rail traffic it is appropriate to advance common training technology as well as common training contents. Developments concerning these two aspects were the scientific and technological objectives of 2TRAIN.
2TRAIN aimed at two main objectives:
- The first objective was to reach a maximum utilisation of the latest computer-based training technology and to develop a modular platform in order to en-able an integration of these technological solutions in existing training environments throughout Europe.
- The second objective was to increase the train drivers' competency in crisis management by defining and realising appropriate human factor training scenarios that will be evaluated and validated within the demonstration phase.
In order to reach the objectives 2TRAIN conducts the following work packages:
- benchmarking training technologies and training and assessment curricula in today's Europe;
- specification requirements for future training;
- development of training contents (human factors training for dealing with rarely occurring and especially hazardous situations);
- development of training and assessment methods (computer based tools including simulation, enabling technologies) that are based on a common data interface;
- evaluation of the developed methods in pilot studies (training effects, acceptance).
At the end of the project, 2TRAIN delivers a European best-practice guideline for an efficient, safety enhancing and cost-effective use of modern technologies for the training of train drivers as well as for the ongoing competence and performance as-assessment.
Starting point of 2TRAIN was the benchmarking of training tools and technologies as well as training contents and models already in use in different European countries. As a first step, a short questionnaire was developed and sent to railway undertakings in Europe. After the analysis of the results of this first questionnaire a sample of 18 railway companies representing 80 000 train drivers was selected for a more detailed face-to-face interview and the accordant key questions forms were developed. The results of the benchmarking process fed the specification of the detailed project contents. Based on the answers of the railway companies and the discussions with the representatives of the companies the requirements for future computer-based train driver training were specified.
A further task of the specification process was the application of the specified common training contents by developing common training situations that are be realised in simulator scenarios and CBT modules. After the implementation, these scenarios and modules are used during the demonstration activities of the project. Taking into account existing European differences concerning rules and regulations 2TRAIN focuses particularly on training contents related to crisis management competencies. Due to the current individual company standards in training technology a universal simulator for all European countries is not realistic. Instead, a common data simulation interface was developed within 2TRAIN to allow a standardised data recording and to provide the opportunity to implement add-on systems.
Add-on tools for simulators -rule based expert system (ExSys), virtual instructor (VI), and assessment database (AssDB)- were developed. The ExSys defines and stores the target behaviour (i.e. correct behaviour) of the train driver for different scenarios. The VI is responsible for running the assessment procedure online. Therefore, the VI receives the data about the actual behaviour of the train driver during the simulator exercise from the CDSI and compares it with the target behaviour and assessment rules from the Ex-Sys. The resulting assessment data (e.g. driving deviations, errors, reaction times) are stored in the AssDB. The assessment data that are stored in the AssDB in a standardised form serve as a basis for generating an assessment report at the end of the training session.
After the technical development of the different add-on tools the main objective of the subsequent demonstration activities lied in the functionality and acceptance testing of the software tools. At four different demonstration sites the technological developments of 2TRAIN were presented: Czech Republic (CBT study), Germany (simulation and CBT study), Spain (simulation study) and France (simulation study). In order to guarantee comparable results of the demonstration activities at the different European pilot sites, a common methodology and common instruments were used. Mainly train drivers and instructors / trainers participated in the pilot studies as this group will be primarily affected if the 2TRAIN simulator technologies are introduced in the regular training and assessment procedures. The evaluation took place under realistic conditions and included a significant number of participants in every pilot site. The evaluation was focused on the usability, practicability, and acceptance of the developed training technology and training contents.
The demonstrations and the feedback by train drivers, instructors, and training managers proved that the 2TRAIN system for assessment and training of train drivers can be implemented on existing simulators throughout Europe. The 2TRAIN tools can be considered as a modular package able to interact with very different systems. Beyond the purely technical success, the feedback from intended end-users is extremely positive. All in all, the results were very positive and showed that the developed technology is accepted by train drivers and instructors / trainers and has the potential to enhance the quality of training and assessment.
2TRAIN aimed at two main objectives:
- The first objective was to reach a maximum utilisation of the latest computer-based training technology and to develop a modular platform in order to en-able an integration of these technological solutions in existing training environments throughout Europe.
- The second objective was to increase the train drivers' competency in crisis management by defining and realising appropriate human factor training scenarios that will be evaluated and validated within the demonstration phase.
In order to reach the objectives 2TRAIN conducts the following work packages:
- benchmarking training technologies and training and assessment curricula in today's Europe;
- specification requirements for future training;
- development of training contents (human factors training for dealing with rarely occurring and especially hazardous situations);
- development of training and assessment methods (computer based tools including simulation, enabling technologies) that are based on a common data interface;
- evaluation of the developed methods in pilot studies (training effects, acceptance).
At the end of the project, 2TRAIN delivers a European best-practice guideline for an efficient, safety enhancing and cost-effective use of modern technologies for the training of train drivers as well as for the ongoing competence and performance as-assessment.
Starting point of 2TRAIN was the benchmarking of training tools and technologies as well as training contents and models already in use in different European countries. As a first step, a short questionnaire was developed and sent to railway undertakings in Europe. After the analysis of the results of this first questionnaire a sample of 18 railway companies representing 80 000 train drivers was selected for a more detailed face-to-face interview and the accordant key questions forms were developed. The results of the benchmarking process fed the specification of the detailed project contents. Based on the answers of the railway companies and the discussions with the representatives of the companies the requirements for future computer-based train driver training were specified.
A further task of the specification process was the application of the specified common training contents by developing common training situations that are be realised in simulator scenarios and CBT modules. After the implementation, these scenarios and modules are used during the demonstration activities of the project. Taking into account existing European differences concerning rules and regulations 2TRAIN focuses particularly on training contents related to crisis management competencies. Due to the current individual company standards in training technology a universal simulator for all European countries is not realistic. Instead, a common data simulation interface was developed within 2TRAIN to allow a standardised data recording and to provide the opportunity to implement add-on systems.
Add-on tools for simulators -rule based expert system (ExSys), virtual instructor (VI), and assessment database (AssDB)- were developed. The ExSys defines and stores the target behaviour (i.e. correct behaviour) of the train driver for different scenarios. The VI is responsible for running the assessment procedure online. Therefore, the VI receives the data about the actual behaviour of the train driver during the simulator exercise from the CDSI and compares it with the target behaviour and assessment rules from the Ex-Sys. The resulting assessment data (e.g. driving deviations, errors, reaction times) are stored in the AssDB. The assessment data that are stored in the AssDB in a standardised form serve as a basis for generating an assessment report at the end of the training session.
After the technical development of the different add-on tools the main objective of the subsequent demonstration activities lied in the functionality and acceptance testing of the software tools. At four different demonstration sites the technological developments of 2TRAIN were presented: Czech Republic (CBT study), Germany (simulation and CBT study), Spain (simulation study) and France (simulation study). In order to guarantee comparable results of the demonstration activities at the different European pilot sites, a common methodology and common instruments were used. Mainly train drivers and instructors / trainers participated in the pilot studies as this group will be primarily affected if the 2TRAIN simulator technologies are introduced in the regular training and assessment procedures. The evaluation took place under realistic conditions and included a significant number of participants in every pilot site. The evaluation was focused on the usability, practicability, and acceptance of the developed training technology and training contents.
The demonstrations and the feedback by train drivers, instructors, and training managers proved that the 2TRAIN system for assessment and training of train drivers can be implemented on existing simulators throughout Europe. The 2TRAIN tools can be considered as a modular package able to interact with very different systems. Beyond the purely technical success, the feedback from intended end-users is extremely positive. All in all, the results were very positive and showed that the developed technology is accepted by train drivers and instructors / trainers and has the potential to enhance the quality of training and assessment.
