The Amsterdam tram makes the most of its simulators

Lander and the GVB team met up recently to celebrate the implementation of the tram-driving simulator suite this year in Amsterdam. If we had to describe the event, "up close and personal" would be the best choice of words.

This, in fact, is the logical outcome of month after month of a team effort, with the Lander team working closely alongside GVB's proactive technical section. The project set out to provide a solution for a customer, GVB, with a highly innovative vision focused on improving the service for users amid the daily bustle of tram operations in the city.

The upside of a city brimming over with transport challenges is that it would seem to get the very best out of a team that strives to go the extra mile on a daily basis in a bid to deliver excellence. A growing volume of passengers, complex architecture, fleet renewal and an extremely high percentage of tourists to cater for are just some of the challenges GVB has faced over the years.

GVB has certainly put the simulators to good use since they were installed in Amsterdam in March. The project included a simulation of two different trams, the existing model (the Siemens Combino) and another undergoing development (CAF's 15G). The three simulators purchased were tasked with simulating both models, and so Lander's hardware department made a conscientious effort to define an innovative procedure to exchange or conceal controls between one tram and another, where Lander already had a wealth of experience with a range of previous solutions. It also included a scenario of 17 real-life kilometres around Amsterdam, on several lines running through the city centre. This is easier said than done, because anyone familiar with Amsterdam will be aware of its narrow streets and historical buildings, canals etc. amid heavy traffic - cars, public transport and bicycles, not to mention streets teeming with people.

After a few months with the new system, the customer's response was quick off the mark. It transpired at the recent meeting between Lander and the GVB team that instructors had noticed a drastic reduction in the number of mistakes made by simulator trainees when they undertook practical training with the real tram.

So what else can Lander say but thanks for making the most of the equipment, and for sharing the daily round with us. And so we finish the year with this piece of news, drumming up as much enthusiasm as we possibly can for the year 2020.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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