Norfolk Southern Corp. recently announced it is developing and deploying 3D, simulation-based training apps that will allow the company to create a safer, more effective employee-training program.
Benefits of the training app, built by application developer Heartwood 3D, include providing targeted feedback, allowing for unlimited repetitions, and alleviating burdensome space and time constraints.
The first app to be used as a 3D simulator covering freight-car air-brake inspection, it allows students to conduct virtual inspections of freight cars and interact with various brake components. Freight-car mechanics and conductors use this skill.
Without the app, Norfolk Southern said it would need to set up multiple freight cars on-site and allocate training time for demonstration, practice, and evaluation.
“Confidence and mastery demonstrated has noticeably improved,” Ryan Foster, manager technical training said. “Students loved it, particularly that they can do the task whenever they have time, rather than at a scheduled time.”
Norfolk Southern will train 1,800 conductors and between 50 and100 freight-car-repair personnel this year using the app.
Heartwood 3D is working with Norfolk Southern to identify other key training programs that could benefit from a simulation app.
The partnership reflects Heartwood 3D’s dedication to providing railroad companies with advanced visual, interactive, and portable technologies, Heartwood 3D CEO Raj Raheja said.