Berlin Underground Trainingsenvironment

Evacuation, fire protection and rescue training on the new U5 metro line using XR and XVR technology.

#knowledge #procedure #skill #worksafety

After extensive reconstruction work and extensions of “running systems” such as underground railways, motorways or tunnels, there is often no time for safety-relevant training of fire brigades, rescue services and executive forces. However, with the help of a digital twin in an interactive XR environment, this is made possible even before the work is completed. With this in mind, an underground simulator for the U5 line was developed in cooperation with the Berlin Fire Brigade, which is available around the clock and enables emergency forces to prepare for evacuation and emergency scenarios.

Key Benefits

Realistic training

EXtended Reality trainings enable high authenticity and immersion!

Cost efficiency with the same effectiveness

The experiential learning framework allows effective training at low cost!

Making successes visible

Ready to change your approach to training?

Challenge & Approach

Running Systems as a training environment

Training for a wide range of operational scenarios is an important part of training and further education for emergency organisations. It is crucial to be prepared for all possible situations in the best possible way. The management of large-scale operations and mass casualty incidents is usually trained through simulation games, due to their complexity and high effort. However, when the training environment is a “running system” such as a metro station, this becomes even more difficult. Although simulation games cover operational strategy, trainees often find it difficult to engage with them because the training is not in a realistic environment. An interactive XR environment can provide a solution here and create a unique, individual learning environment. Together with the Berlin Fire Brigade, we have taken on this challenge in a project.

General Approach

Integration of existing training software.

Operational tactical training is a great challenge in real space, especially because of the high effort required to conduct it. Converting such training into an XR environment is not expedient due to the complexity. Therefore, we decided to use an already existing software for the development of the Berlin Underground Environment - the XVR simulation.

Technical Approach

Planning documents and technical drawings as a template.

In addition to adapting the CAD data of the underground cars and creating suitable polygon counts for implementation in the training environment, the planning and creation of custom objects were also part of the project. The CAD data of the underground stations as well as important landmarks such as the Red City Hall, the Berlin Cathedral, the TV Tower and the Humboldt Forum were also implemented and integrated into the training world. For the tunnels in particular, a new approach was required to make the best use of computer power for the training experience. The light sources were integrated into the textures to save computing power.

Educational Approach

Multiuser and digital Twin.

After several workshops with the Berlin Fire Brigade, it became clear that only a digital twin could achieve the learning objectives set. During the new construction of three underground stations - Rotes Rathaus, Museumsinsel and Unter den Linden - it was necessary for these stations to be accessible for training. However, due to the immediate commissioning after completion, this was not possible in the real space. The solution was to create a scale replica in an already existing training software in order not to interfere with both the learning objectives and the commissioning schedule.

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Solution

Thanks to the close cooperation with the Berlin fire brigade and the Berlin transport companies, as well as perfect integration into the XVR simulation software, emergency and evacuation scenarios could already be planned, trained and analysed during the conversion work. This meant that the fire brigade was optimally prepared for an emergency and a smooth commissioning was possible.

Outcomes

Safety for emergency forces

XR training software enables safety without losing reality.

Unique, digital twin

By transferring the planning and CAD data, training can be carried out virtually in the real room.

Away from map games towards XR-based

Immersive training in the digital twin is an innovative alternative to desk-based experiences.

Repeat and availability

An immersive training environment enables constant availability and repeatability

Ready to change your approach to training?

What our partners say

"We now have the opportunity to train in environments and scenarios true to reality without interrupting actual operations."

Boris Topol Organization and Planning, Technology; Berlin Fire Brigade and Rescue Service Academy (BFRA)