VRail – Virtual Reality Environment for Railways

VRail is an advanced training tool that immerses railway crews in a virtual reality world. With realistic simulations, participants can enhance their skills in train operation and maintenance within a safe and controlled environment.

Railway VR

VRail offers a fully virtual environment that leverages VR technology to transport trainees into a realistically rendered railway operations world. Without the need for physical panels, users can refine their skills in a completely immersive space, simulating real-life procedures and scenarios. This approach enables participants to acquire practical knowledge in a safe and highly cost-effective manner.

Inventory

The unique “VRail Inventory” feature allows participants to collect tools acquired during scenarios, all tracked by the instructor. Note: Lose a tool? Leave it in a lock? You’ll have to remember where you left it!

VRail live action

See how VR creates an immersive training environment filled with realism and precision. This video showcases realistic scenarios of train operations and engine room management within a fully virtual reality environment, enabling the learning of critical procedures and operations. Discover how VRail elevates training standards and enhances the efficiency of operational teams!

Locomotive Engine Room

The virtual engine room module supports scenarios such as grounding the vehicle, cutting off air supply in the compressed air cabinet, locking the SIFA valve, or isolating safety systems like MIREL, PZB, LZB, and ETCS. Additionally, it enables the configuration of WTB for multiple-unit operation, selection of braking modes (R, P, G), and isolation of specific systems using fuses and switches. This advanced tool provides practical training in a safe, virtual environment.

Passenger Train Operations

The passenger train operations module includes training scenarios for grounding the vehicle, managing doors in various modes (opening, closing, disabling), and operating the passenger lift for individuals with reduced mobility, including deploying and stowing the lift. Scenarios also cover emergency door opening, manual and automatic extension and locking of steps, as well as different modes for closing and evacuating the train. Additionally, users can practice releasing and applying the spring-loaded brake, operating the emergency brake, and isolating specific systems using fuses and switches. This module provides realistic training in a controlled, virtual environment.

The “Engine Room” module can be integrated with a cab simulator or SMART system, compliant with UTK standards or Siemens Vectron.

Wheelchair Lift

The wheelchair lift module provides comprehensive training on operating an automated pneumatic ramp system. Users can practice all stages of its operation, including deploying the ramp, activating safety mechanisms, and stowing it after use. The module incorporates procedures critical for the effective and safe assistance of passengers using wheelchairs, requiring support from the train crew or staff. Training also emphasizes minimizing the time needed for train dispatch at stations, which is essential for maintaining punctuality and ensuring passenger comfort.

Rail Bogies and Wheelsets

The VR module showcasing the construction of rail bogies and wheelsets is designed for the education of future rolling stock inspectors. It provides a detailed understanding of the design, functions, and operation of key undercarriage components, such as bogie frames, suspension systems, wheelsets, axles, and bearings. In the immersive VR environment, participants can interactively explore various types of bogies and wheelsets, supporting their comprehension of operational principles and fault diagnostics. This module offers a strong theoretical and practical foundation, preparing users for advanced training.

VRAIL IS A TRAINING TOOL FOR RAILWAY
AND TECHNICAL SCHOOLS

Vehicle Main Circuit

The VR module showcasing the operation of the vehicle’s main circuit provides an in-depth understanding of energy flows within the engine room of an electric locomotive. Users can follow the process of energy transmission from the pantograph through the transformer, rectifiers, and converters to the traction motors, while also observing the functioning of protection and isolation systems. The module emphasizes the visualization of energy flows within the main circuit, enabling a better understanding of its principles and the diagnosis of potential faults. This comprehensive educational tool combines theory with practice in an immersive VR environment.

Pantograph

The VR module presenting the railway pantograph allows users to understand its structure and operation interactively. Through detailed animations of key components, such as the arm, collector head, springs, and lifting mechanism, users can observe how the pantograph connects to the overhead catenary system, ensuring energy flow to the vehicle. The module also demonstrates the mechanism for raising and lowering the pantograph, as well as the functioning of safety systems in case of a malfunction. This innovative educational tool provides a realistic and accessible exploration of pantograph operation, supporting effective training in electric traction systems.

Brake System

The VR module showcasing the train brake system enables users to understand its operation through a visualization of pressure flow across various components. An interactive animation demonstrates how compressed air is delivered and regulated to control braking force, illustrating the function of valves, brake cylinders, and air reservoirs. This intuitive tool facilitates effective learning of the principles behind the brake system in a realistic VR environment.

Traction Motor Design

The module provides a detailed understanding of the design and operation of traction motors used in railway vehicles. Users can explore various design variants, including asynchronous and synchronous motors, while analyzing key components such as the stator, rotor, windings, and cooling systems. Through an interactive approach, the module enables a comprehensive understanding of the working principles and structural differences of traction motors, enhancing technical education in an immersive VR environment.