PTSI Transportation has reported that it has completed work on the application of its all-digital Route Learning System to NJ Transit’s Newark Light Rail system. Newark Light Rail, along with the Belt Railway Company of Chicago, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, and the former Amtrak Peninsula Service were all users of the first generation Linear Route Profile.
This new generation operations training program is a digital learning system used to teach the physical characteristics of any railway, including freight, passenger, and rail transit, to operating employees, railway or transit police and security officers, and external first responders.
The Route Learning System consists of a series of digital maps/charts (both hard copy and electronic), as well as a video of the railroad taken from the engineer’s/operator’s perspective. These are shown in synchronization, on a dual or split screen. The program has all key physical characteristics (signals, turnouts, crossings, etc.) highlighted on both video and charts, and an optional physical characteristics test module. This versatile tool can be viewed in a training center, taken home for personal study, or the charts can be viewed on a screen in the operating cab as a constant reminder, to enhance situational awareness.
The unique first-hand perspective of the video combined with the scrolling detailed track maps promotes comprehension of the physical characteristics that far exceeds the learning quality of rote memory. It also allows for consistency in training, reduction in qualification time, and can be used by others, including engineering, as it can reach into network resources and bring up detail drawings of any location. Pop-up photographs are used to enhance the view or enlarge perspective. First responders who may be called onto rail property can also be trained by the Route Learning System, and dispatchers and control center personnel find it a useful real time reference.
PTSI Transportation has delivered both a training version and a more detailed (and secured) engineering version, which includes tunnel ventilation and fire suppression details.
