Train Driver Simulator for Mumbai

Image Courtesy of Sydac

MUMBAI Having signed a $30-million contract with the state-owned Indian Railways, Sydac, the Australian simulation systems company, is on the verge of handing over its first rail simulator to the subcontinent.

According to the Minister for Investment and Trade, Martin Hamilton-Smith, the simulator will arrive in Jodhpur next month. Last week the minister participated in South Australias largest trade delegation to India to date, where he spoke with important stakeholders.

Sydac is a South Australian business that continues to strengthen its strategic advantage in the high-tech sector, to export its products and services, and drive jobs growth in South Australia, Mr Hamilton-Smith said. The Indian railway is the fourth largest railway network in the world, carrying more than 24 million passengers and 2.8 tonnes of freight daily Sydac has identified this potential.

Dermot Dixon, Sydacs Managing Director, said he believed this contract would increase the safety of Indias railways, adding that it was the largest contract of its kind globally. Our focus is on providing thousands of Indias drivers with simulated training using twelve full-cab rail simulators and 60 desk simulators in twelve cities, including the main centres of Mumbai and Kolkata. Sydac will also build training centres across India over the next three years, Mr Dixon confirmed.

Mr Dixon also added that Sydac would now be looking at getting involved in Indias commercial vehicle sector, by supplying simulators to assist in the training of bus and lorry drivers. Very promising meetings were arranged through the State Government that should position Sydac well to compete in a huge market to increase the safety on Indian roads. We hope our commercial vehicle product will be successful in local and international markets to further secure jobs development in Adelaide, Mr Dixon said.

The Executive Director of Australias Stark Area Regional Transport Authority, Steve Shearer, was positive that the simulator delivered a faithful experience to drivers and could therefore play a part in improving road safety in the country. “The benefits of this simulation technology are wide reaching, including driver training to improve skills, awareness and safety and secondly to assist in future road design testing,

Mr Shearer said. He added that the simulator had been tested at a number of trade shows where truck drivers were unanimous in their support, calling the simulator both realistic and enlightening, allowing drivers to rehearse a wide variety of road conditions. South Australias State Government has just concluded its largest trade delegation to India, aiding the states exporters in their goal of selling to international markets, which will in turn create jobs.

Mr Hamilton-Smith said a broad range of sectors were represented including food and wine, arts, education, health, mining and resources, tourism, defence and advanced manufacturing. South Australian companies have specialist skills to optimise manufacturing such as through automation skills that are already being utilised in India. South Australia is embarking on a new chapter for both regions one of economic integration and partnership, of mutual respect and understanding”.

Mr Hamilton-Smith concluded by saying that with an export market worth almost $800 million, India was already South Australias third-largest such market, but with considerable potential for growth. The Minister for Investment and Trade said the Government of South Australia wanted to be a leader in this new time of prosperity.

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