As we know, safety and security are important issues for SNCF. That is why the company called on the expertise of students from the Master's in Interactive 3D Technology Management (MTI3D) programatthe Institut Arts et Métiers Lavalto develop an innovative virtual reality training program for controllers in the areas of safety and security: "Virtual Safety."
Developing innovative technical training that closely reflects real-world conditions
The SNCF's goal was to offer an innovative training program for ticket inspectors (of which there are 11,000 in France). This has been achieved with the "Virtual Safety" training program, which aims to train as many agents as possible using virtual reality, so that they can quickly and accurately learn the skills required for the job. A team of students from Arts et Métiers Lavalstudying for a Master's degree in Interactive 3D Technology Management (MTI3D) worked on this program for six months with Samuel Barillet, visual management coordinator for TER/TGV and safety trainer at SNCF. "The task was quite complex, as it involved converting rare and sensitive processes to create an immersion that was as close as possible to reality in the field," he explains.
Realism at its peak, a requirement for effective training
The computer graphics and modeling skills of Arts et Métiers students Arts et Métiers greatly appreciated in simulating a real railway environment interface. "Realism was very important for this application, and we were very attentive to the needs of the SNCF, " explains Benjamin Poussard, virtual reality/augmented reality research engineer at the Arts et Métiers Institute Arts et Métiers Laval, who worked with the students. "The stakes are high because when it comes to training in the field of safety and security, responsiveness and precision in the execution of the process are essential, " he explains. Controllers are trained in "obstacle clearance distance," which allows them to learn, without danger, how to react in the event of an accident between a train and an obstacle. Samuel Barillet is convinced that "being virtually immersed in exceptional situations allows for a better understanding when the agent is faced with an accident." Other advantages include the fact that simulating, for example, a tree falling on a track in virtual reality saves time and requires less financial investment.
An innovative training program recognized at the SNCF Awards
This innovative "Virtual Safety" program won an award at the SNCF Awards ceremony held last June at the Cirque d'Hiver in Paris. The SNCF Awards aim to highlight good ideas and talent among employees across the country so that they can then be standardized, a kind of participatory innovation. It has been a great journey for the team, as out of 700 entries submitted in France, "Virtual Safety" won the Grand Est region competition and was among the 100 national entries selected.
Currently deployed in Champagne-Ardenne, the collaborative project between SNCF and Arts et Métiers, "Virtual Safety," is now on track to be rolled out more widely across France.
