As it is impossible to predict when and where emergency situations would occur, the Light Rail Transit Authority’s (LRTA) best bet is to prepare their personnel through rigorous training using a brand new P74.7-million train simulator.
To address safety concerns, LRTA would simulate certain incidents but not through recreating it in real life.
No one would be jumping on the railway to test the braking systems, no water would be sprayed to simulate rain, and no train would run with open doors—just for the sake of practice.
Light Rail Transit Line 2’s management (LRT-2) would instead use the train simulator located inside the Recto Terminal Station.
“Kasi mas cost effective siya (train simulator), and safe kasi controlled ‘yong environment,” LRTA Public Relations Manager Lyn Paragas-Janeo said in an exclusive interview with Inquirer.net.
“For example, during the (old) training, kapag walang ulan or bagyo, hindi mo ‘yon ma-eexperience. Like if may nalaglag sa track, sa train, hindi mo ma-experience ‘yon kasi safety matter,” Janeo added.
Now, with the simulator, creating conditions such as heavy rainfall, objects in the railway, traveling during an earthquake, and opening doors would be possible—virtually.
Aside from that, the simulator, which was purchased from LANDER Simulations and Training Solutions for P74.7 million, also projects the topography of the entire LRT-2 route, and replicates the cockpit of the trains.
“‘Yung tren, usually after regular hours ‘yung sa kanila (training) kasi ginagamit yung train. With the aid of the simulator, makakapagtraining sila, naka-incorporate do’n ‘yong 25 most common problems,” Janeo said.
Janeo said that once the LRT-2 extension project from Santolan Station to Masinag in Antipolo is finished, the simulator would be updated.
She added that the simulator would be a part of a training program recognized by the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
This would be used to train existing and future train operators, which would be hired through the Philippine Railways Training Center.
“Gagamitin din namin ito for future train drivers kapag nangailangan kami. ‘Yong module ng train driving course namin is already accredited by TESDA,” Janeo said. /vvp