Virtual reality earns partnership prestigious safety award

Building on the success of a similar hazard perception system employed during tram driver training, new software is aimed at workers operating on or near to the tracks.

A joint project between the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board and simulator specialists AVANSIM, the software driving the Virtual Track Awareness tool can be run on almost any computer, providing a safe environment for workers to spot potential hazards.

Now adopted by networks across the UK, the system has earned the partnership top honours in the Significant Safety Initiative category at the Global Light Rail Awards in London on Wednesday (October 2).

On receiving the award, LRSSB Chief Executive, Carl Williams, commented: “We are delighted that the system has been so well received by the sector and it is already making a significant contribution to enhancing light rail safety.

“Receiving this accolade is a real bonus, and just recognition of all the hard work and innovative thinking behind the project.”

Ian Rowe, Director of Avansim, said: “We are honoured to be recognised with this award. We are proud to have worked in partnership with LRSSB to develop this graphical simulation system that provides standardisation and enables best practice across the light rail sector for track awareness.