PARTNERS
- ÖBB Infrastruktur
ABSTRACT
Railway Switch VR is an innovative XR-based training system designed to provide realistic, hands-on education in safety-critical railway operations. Within a highly immersive, simulated environment, trainees can safely interact with various types of railway switches, identify errors, and practice standardized workflows. The system combines interactive modules with lifelike simulations to deliver safety-critical knowledge in a sustainable, comprehensible, and repeatable manner. The application is multilingual, location-independent, and can be flexibly integrated into existing training programs.
CHALLENGE
Delivering safety-related content in railway infrastructure is challenging in real-world practice, as live training scenarios often occur at night or require significant operational resources. Legal restrictions on working hours, along with economic and safety constraints, make it particularly difficult for trainees to gain practical experience. Traditional training methods tend to convey complex risk situations only in theory and rarely offer opportunities for active error analysis or reflective learning. As a result, the development of true situational awareness and operational confidence often remains limited and unsustainable.
SOLUTION
Railway Switch VR offers an immersive training solution that simulates safety-critical scenarios in a realistic, structured, and risk-free way. Developed in close collaboration with instructors and trainees, the system accurately reflects core tasks such as identifying switch configurations and resolving typical trackside malfunctions. Through situational learning, visual feedback, and digital after-action reviews, error patterns become clearly recognizable and safe behavior is effectively internalized. This flexible and scalable solution significantly enhances training quality and contributes to long-term improvements in operational safety.
