The simulator

The Driving and Breakdown Simulator tests the skills of Metro Bilbao drivers. This simulator is located in the training installations at Sopelana depot.

This new practical training tool offers the possibility of training personnel in the identification and solution of breakdowns, improvement in driving skills and will help to solve, more accurately and speedily, all possible incidents that may affect the normal circulation of trains.

The purpose of this interactive simulation instrument is to have a static tool at our disposal 24 hours a day, with which to perform practical training sessions without interrupting the service. The availability of real installations is one of the main problems that Metro Bilbao faces when planning training sessions.

The high frequency of the service (2'5 minutes) and the use of night hours to offer further services - week-ends - or to perform maintenance work - every night - does not allow us to organise driving training sessions on the line. Furthermore, some incidents could not be simulated in reality (fall of power lines, failure in power distribution, etc.) and theoretical training was not considered sufficient. The achievement of certain skills concerning driving and the control of service production encouraged Metro Bilbao to acquire this modern training system.

Parts of the simulator:

1 Simulator Cab.

The intention is to familiarise the driver with his work environment. The simulator offers a cab with real instruments, in order for drivers to become familiar with the use of each device.

The cab includes three systems that make the driving experience as realistic as possible:

• Visual System:The cab includes a last-generation panoramic screen that realistically displays views observed by drivers through the front windscreen (direct vision): stations, points, rails, power posts, etc. and, by means of back-view mirrors installed in the cab (mirror vision), the driver can view the opening and closing of doors at stations.
• Acoustic System: This system is in charge of reproducing sounds generated by the unit, in relation with the conditions of the training session. The sounds simulated include start-up, stop, crossing with another unit, acceleration, slowing down...
• Communications System: This system connects the driver with the instructor, who is simulating an operator at the Operations Control Centre. Through this means of communication, the driver will receive all kinds of instructions.

2 Trainer Position.

The instructor is responsible for planning and defining the exercises and for supervising the training session by means of a computer. There are countless combinations available to prepare training sessions:

• The route the unit will take can be selected (Bolueta-San Inazio, Bolueta-Plentzia...)
• Weather conditions (rain, fog, sun, ...)
• The time of the training session (night or day)
• The number of passengers at the stations
• 10 unexpected incidents (fall of power lines, fall of an object on the line...)
• As many as 600 planned breakdown situations (door failure, power failure, signal system error...)

Once an exercise has been planned, the instructor can execute it and modify it when necessary, introducing new breakdowns and incidents, changing the route and instructing, by means of a communications system, on changes in driving methods (manual, automatic...). The instructor has a monitor where he can programme and activate the exercise and another monitor where he can visualise it

3 Waiting and -study area.

A room, adjacent to the simulator, offers students the possibility of updating their knowledge on the train unit.