VR upskills Sydney train drivers and guards

More than 1000 Sydney train drivers and guards have completed virtual reality modules for responding to onboard emergencies that launched in November. 

Credit: Sydney Trains

Staff wear VR headsets in the classroom to practice using a fire extinguisher and deploying emergency ramps to evacuate passengers.  

All 3000 of Sydney Train’s drivers and guards are on track to complete the two mandatory courses by the middle of the year, which are also available on iPads or laptops if they have to learn from home. 

Sydney Train executive director of train crewing Hayden Donoghue said that the VR course “simulates a range of scenarios inside the carriage of Waratah trains which prompts trainees to practise a variety of emergency procedures."

“This new virtual reality training is an example of how we’re making sure that our Transport workforce have the tools they need to do their work and deliver a responsive and resilient transport network that the people of NSW deserve," Transport for NSW executive director strategy and engagement Sherrie Killiby said.

In October 2019, Metro Trains Australia also developed a virtual reality solution to educate train drivers in the Victorian network that it operates.

The Advanced Interactive Rail Learning project [pdf] was aimed at reducing the burden of training an extra 150 drivers per year that the state estimated it would need to hire as a result of the Metro Rail Tunnel, level crossing removals and other investments that increased demand.