Research, training & skills news – Page 10
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NewsBNSF trials virtual reality training
USA: BNSF is working with Roundtable Learning to integrate virtual, augmented and mixed reality technology into its training programmes for staff undertaking mechanical works. The simulations being tested are designed to show the importance of personal protection equipment and improve risk awareness. ...
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NewsErasmus+ Interrail pass launched to encourage sustainable travel
EUROPE: A dedicated Interrail Global pass has been launched to encourage sustainable travel and exploration by participants in the Erasmus+ education scheme. The passes developed by Interrail organisation Eurail and the Erasmus Student Network have a validity of four days in six months or six days ...
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NewsRail skills shortage must be addressed to meet Europe’s environmental targets
EUROPE: Strategies to attract new talent to the rail sector were discussed at the Next–Gen Rail: Building The Workforce Of Tomorrow For the Rail Sector conference which was hosted by UNIFE in Brussels on March 27. Ideas discussed included retraining staff from other industries such as ...
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Rail Business UKHitachi launches flexible software for signaller training
UK: Hitachi has launched TREsim Flex, a realistic offline training environment for signallers that accurately replicates operational events. Hitachi says TREsim Flex offers all the advanced features of its established TREsim product, with a variety of signalling controls and flexible deployment options. TREsim Flex can run ...
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NewsSBB tests automated shunting without possessions
SWITZERLAND: SBB and Alstom have carried out a series of trials using a remotely controlled shunting locomotive on tracks that remained open for normal operations. As part of the research trials, 24 locomotive drivers operated a shunter in the marshalling yard at Zürich-Mülligen from a control ...
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Metro Report InternationalChicago Transit Authority launches first Innovation Studio challenges
USA: Chicago Transit Authority has launched its Innovation Studio project to partner with the private sector to explore new ideas. In the first round, CTA is seeking proposals by April 15 which address: the automatic detection of people or large objects on railway tracks to ...
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NewsCommunication training to improve suburban train accessibility
AUSTRALIA: Adelaide suburban train operator Keolis Downer Adelaide has been accredited under the Communication Access Symbol initiative to help passengers with communication difficulties. Accreditation involved 234 front line staff completing nine months of specialised training. Tools include communication cards and vision boards showing stations and key ...
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Metro Report InternationalRail skills and innovation collaboration
UAE: A strategic partnership to develop rail sector skills and innovation in the UAE and the wider region has been agreed by Dubai metro and tram operator Keolis MHI and the UK’s University of Birmingham, which has a campus in Dubai. Students will be offered internships ...
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NewsBattery tender for freight loco to be developed
AUSTRALIA: Freight operator Aurizon has been awarded a A$9·4m grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to develop, test and trial a battery electric tender to be used in conjunction with a modified diesel locomotive. The tender, described as ‘essentially a big battery-pack on wheels’, will ...
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Metro Report InternationalQuantum train location testing on the London Underground
UK: Researchers are using a London Underground train to test whether quantum inertial navigation systems could be used to provide accurate location information for condition-based monitoring, train control and signalling applications without needing satellites or lineside equipment. Source: MoniRail This forms part ...
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Metro Report InternationalTram training transformation
UK: The Light Rail Safety & Standards Board has launched a sector-wide initiative to ‘revolutionise’ training and development at tram operators. This will include an central online resource for operators to plan and maintain their own training programmes. The platform will monitor employee competencies, keep track ...
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Rail Business UKRail training academy to develop local skills
UK: The Transport, Rail & Infrastructure Academy developed by City of Wolverhampton College and National Infrastructure Solutions was officially opened by Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street on February 20. The academy at the Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation’s Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre ...
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NewsEast Japan Railway to work with University of Birmingham
INTERNATIONAL: East Japan Railway has signed a memorandum of understanding to work with the UK’s University of Birmingham on innovative technology and staff skills development. Shunzo Miyake, Director General of International Affairs at JR East, said the partnership announced on February 19 aims to ‘develop railway ...
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Metro Report InternationalSecondment scheme to develop tram talent
UK: Light rail industry body UKTram is developing a framework for staff secondments with the aim of helping the sector retain top talent and to provide additional experience for young managers, engineers and other key personnel. More than half of UK light rail operators have already ...
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Metro Report InternationalYouth representatives to join Transport for London meetings
UK: Members of Transport for London’s Youth Panel will represent the views of young Londoners at the quarterly Safety, Sustainability & Human Resources and Customer Service & Operational Performance panel meetings from February 21. TfL’s independent Youth Panel was established in 2009 and consists of around ...
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Rail Business UKYRP Politics In Rail event returns
UK: Young Rail Professionals hosts its Politics In Rail event on February 8 as part of Rail Week.
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NewsVioleta Bulc named European Rail Champion as concerns over skills and diversity grow
EUROPE: Former European Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc and Danish national operator DSB were the winners of the two annual awards handed out by trade associations CER and UNIFE at the European Railway Award in Brussels on January 29.
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NewsAustralian rail sector promotes non-university career paths
AUSTRALIA: The Australasian Railway Association says that thousands of jobs are on offer across Australia in more than 80 careers in rail, and has launched an initiative aimed at school leavers seeking a path into work that does not require a university-level qualification. According to ARA ...
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NewsHydrogen high speed train to be developed
SPAIN: A group of Spanish companies has been awarded funding for the Hympulso project to power a Talgo 250 gauge-changing high speed trainset using renewable hydrogen. Talgo Class 730 electro-diesel trainsets used by national operator RENFE have a power car behind each driving car containing a ...
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Rail Business UKDigital twin used to test novel turnout concept
UK: A digital twin simulation method has been developed to test a concept for a new design of turnout.