Škoda Transtech

The training simulator brings millions worth of savings to Tampere’s tram traffic

How do you train someone to drive a tram on a tramway that does not yet exist? Tampere Raitiotie Oy’s training simulator saves millions of euros on trams and helps in developing self-driving rail traffic.

OBJECTIVE

Cost efficiency, quality training and product development efficiency

A completely new tramway system was being built in Tampere, and the trams were going to be driven by people who had no previous background in driving trams. Tampere Raitiotie Oy had a clear vision for the driver training: instead of traditional training that only took place on the railway line, driver training was supposed to take place mostly in a training simulator.

The aim of the training simulator was to offer drivers more driving lessons than usual and the opportunity to practise unexpected traffic situations and driving in different lighting and environmental conditions. It was also designed to bring significant cost savings by reducing the use of real trolleys in training.

“The goal was to build a training simulator that looks and feels as authentic as possible. In addition, we at Škoda had the goal of incorporating the simulator into our product development and using it to test different functionalities with the same equipment as in the real tram”, says Kai Hermonen, IT Manager at Škoda Transtech Oy, which manufactured the trams.

The goal was to build a training simulator that looks and feels as authentic as possible. In addition, we at Škoda had the goal of incorporating the simulator into our product development and using it to test different functionalities with the same equipment as in the real tram.

Kai Hermonen, IT Manager, Škoda Transtech Oy

SOLUTION

From a detailed control simulation to a complete HIL solution

The training simulator was part of a tram supply contract with Škoda Transtech. A multidisciplinary development team was put together around the simulator: Creanex, a subsidiary of Gofore, was responsible for the entire simulation, exercises and equipment, while 3D Talo Oy in Kuopio carried out visual modelling of the urban and railway environment together with the Clever unit at Kajaani University of Applied Sciences.

The simulator took into account even the smallest details to make the experience feel the same as transporting a real tram. The controls in the cab were integrated to work like a real control environment. A three-screen view was created to match the correct environment including buildings, traffic signs and rear-view mirrors. The realism was crowned by placing the simulator inside a 1:1 model that imitates a tram.

“The simulator felt very realistic, which has been given good feedback from the drivers. Driving in the simulator is so much like a real life experience that it has also been used in scheduling. Based on the training simulator, we started to develop a fully-fledged HIL system for Škoda’s development,” says Timo Mustonen, Creanex’s Head of Technology.

Training simulator

The cabin contains the controls of a real tram and three displays corresponding to the operator’s view from a real cab.

The simulator felt very realistic, which has been given good feedback from the drivers. Driving in the simulator is so much like a real life experience that it has also been used in scheduling. Based on the training simulator, we started to develop a fully-fledged HIL system for Škoda’s development.

Timo Mustonen, Head of Technology, Creanex

What HIL?

The HIL (hardware in the loop) system creates a complete simulated environment for testing the control system. It contains all the IO interfaces of the correct control system, so that the simulation works in virtually the same way as the real implementation.

RESULT

Millions of savings, skilled drivers and a leap towards an autonomous world

“Thanks to the training simulator, we didn’t have to buy extra trolleys for training, and we didn’t have to take into account drivers’ absence from traffic during initial or supplementary training. This results in significant savings, as the tram alone costs millions of euros,” says Ali Huttunen, fleet manager at Tampere Raitiotie Oy.

The training simulator makes it easier to plan for each driver’s time, as it allows them to practise driving safely and choose the training date according to the individual needs of each driver.

The simulator also had an impact on the design of the real trolley, as there was no need to reserve a separate space in the cab for the instructor as in traditional trolleys. This allowed the cab to be designed to provide the best possible ergonomics for the driver.

“This is Finland’s first tram simulator, and we made it driveable surprisingly quickly. Now we are also nearing the completion of the HIL system, which integrates all devices for our product development. The simulator enables us to take a big step towards an autonomous world when even high-level security software can be tested directly in the simulator,” says Kai Hermonen from Škoda Transtech.

Watch the video for detailed insights about the project

The training simulator concept started in 2019 August and was officially launched in 2020 June. Commercial operations of Tampere Tram started in 2021 August. There are plans to develop the railway and trolleys until 2040, and the training simulator is planned to be involved in the implementation of these plans.

Project highlights

Objective

Tampere Raitiotie Oy wanted to use a realistic and tactile training simulator for driver training. The aim was to ensure driver competence and the simulator was designed to save both time and training costs. Škoda Transtech, which manufactured the trams, also wanted to use the simulator to meet the needs of product development in rail transport.

Solution

Creanex, a subsidiary of Gofore, was responsible for the simulation, exercises and equipment of the training simulator. The simulator was used to create a real driving experience, both in terms of the controls and the environment on the screens. Based on the training simulator, a complete HIL system was planned for use by Škoda Transtech.

Result

Thanks to the training simulator, Tampere Raitiotie Oy can keep all its trams on the road, which effectively saves millions. The simulator makes it easy for drivers to add and update their skills. The HIL simulation created for Škoda Transtech enables the development of rail traffic towards an autonomous world.

Important figures

2000+ hours spent in the training simulator
20000 kilometers driven in the simulator
11 months and the training simulator was ready
10+ different operators have used the simulator in their development work
100+ actuators integrated in the simulator

Competence

The skills utilised in the project

Get in touch

Ari Hirvonen

Intelligent Industry

ari.hirvonen@gofore.com

+358 40 5662133