Development of a Multi-train Operation Simulator with Interactive Human Computer Interfaces

Owing to the technology development in railway industry, driverless automated operation systems have been incorporated in railway operation. Therefore new control concepts are needed to prove the safety of railway operation. In this paper, we suggested a development strategy of a multi-train operation simulator to support R&D works for future railway system. For this purpose, we designed computer-based simulation models of train, station, rail and railway operation system as an agent, respectively, based on their functions. And then we developed an integrated railway environment to simulate railway operation. The simulation results were displayed on wide screen constructed with three 42" plasma display panels and a head mounted-display device with motion tracking system, in real time. When a simulation began, trains were dispatched and driven on given railway one by one following the train performance analysis results. The interactive operation in virtual environment, which is the special feature incorporated in this study, shows distinguished advantages because it makes easier understand of physical phenomenon by giving realistic simulation environment