BACKGROUND & PROBLEM
Derailments pose significant safety risks and operational challenges in the railroad industry. When a derailment occurs, rapid and accurate cause identification is crucial to mitigate hazards, resume operations, and prevent future incidents. However, training personnel to effectively investigate derailments is complex. Traditional methods rely on process sheets, classroom presentations, or on-the-job experience during actual incidents, which may not fully prepare investigators for the high-pressure, real-world scenarios they will face. The lack of immersive, practical training tools means that when a derailment happens—with potentially 40 cars off the tracks, main lines blocked, injuries, or hazardous material spills—personnel may find themselves scrambling without the necessary “muscle memory” to efficiently manage the situation.
SOLUTION OVERVIEW
To enhance derailment and other incident investigation training, railroads deploy these realistic derailment scenarios, allowing them to practice assessing accident scenes, identify clues, and determine causes without the complications, risks and costs associated with real-life incidents. The simulation guides users through the entire on-site field investigation process, from initial assessment to evidence collection and analysis. It includes various derailment types and conditions, enabling trainees to experience a wide range of situations they might encounter in the field.
AFTER USING THIS SIM, STUDENTS WILL:
- Systematically assess a derailment scene to identify the Point of Derailment (POD).
- Recognize and interpret witness marks, drag marks, and distribution of wrecked equipment.
- Perform measurements and document evidence crucial for determining derailment causes.
- Distinguish between different types of derailments (e.g., wheel climb, rail defects, human factors) and their indicators.
- Collaborate with other disciplines (Track, Mechanical, Operations, Signal & Train Control) to conduct comprehensive investigations.
- Apply regulatory requirements and safety procedures during accident investigations.
FEATURES:
- Realistic Derailment Scenarios: Experience various derailment situations, including those caused by human factors, equipment failure, and track defects.
- Interactive Evidence Collection: Practice identifying and documenting critical evidence such as wheel marks, rail damage, and equipment positions.
- Multi-disciplinary Training: Includes perspectives from different railroad disciplines, promoting collaborative investigation approaches.
- Customizable Conditions: Adjust variables like weather, time of day, and train consist to simulate different incident environments.
- Guided Investigation Process: Follow step-by-step procedures aligned with industry best practices and regulatory requirements.
- Assessment and Feedback: Receive real-time feedback on investigative actions and decision-making processes.
- Resource Integration: Access virtual job aids, forms, and checklists used in actual derailment investigations.
DEPLOYMENTS:
- Platforms: PC, VR, Mobile, LMS
- Integration: Seamlessly integrates with existing training programs and simulators.