To develop train simulators by sharing experiences, VTI has started a user group called Tuffa. The idea is that members of Tuffa will meet and share experiences, what they would like to see, and areas for development. An annual membership fee also affords financial leeway for the development of VTI’s train simulator software, based on the members’ needs.

“VTI’s goal is not to become a simulator sales platform, but rather to bring about increased safety and efficiency in Swedish rail traffic through effective development of the train simulator. Tuffa is a means of effectively developing the simulator and its software in collaboration with the industry,” explains Birgitta Thorslund, researcher at VTI.

The Tuffa group is now in its third year and has eight members. Four of the members are operators SJ, Green Cargo, MTR and Transdev. Other members provide training for train drivers: Protrain, TCC, Trafikverksskolan and Nässjöakademin.

Working together with the members, VTI has developed new variations of the train simulator. SJ’s needs have for example led to the production of a portable simulator last year, and Green Cargo has requested the development of a portable version for freight trains.

“Last week, we attended the Transport Research Arena (TRA) conference in Vienna in order to demonstrate the train simulator. There was a great deal of interest. The simulator received high praise, and we believe that VTI should be very proud of it. Our simulators stand up to competition from commercial alternatives. The major advantage is that we are developing the simulators together with the users, which means that they get exactly what they want.”

Photo: Erik Olsson, VTI
Published: 5 October 2018