The government of Tanzania is set to use a cloud-connected system to train drivers of Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) trains in the country.
The envisaged training initiative, to be implemented by the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC), seeks to improve the driving skills of operators of the country’s high-speed electric trains.
The modern equipment designed to facilitate the training is intended to equip drivers with the skills needed to operate trains and respond to various safety challenges.
Minister for Transport, Professor Makame Mbarawa, said the corporation was introducing advanced training technology to enable drivers to learn train operations under conditions that closely simulate real-life railway operations.
He said the modern training equipment, known as the “Motion Platform Simulator”, would enable train drivers to gain practical experience in operating trains while preparing them to handle different situations that may arise during journeys.
Professor Mbarawa noted that the simulator could display the railway route from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza, including potential challenges that drivers might encounter along the way, such as curves, track defects and other safety-related issues.
Moreover, the minister said the development would enable TRC to extend training opportunities to more train drivers, a move expected to increase the number of skilled operators capable of running trains safely and efficiently.
According to Professor Mbarawa, the technology would also help train drivers identify potential challenges early and learn the appropriate measures to take to ensure the safety of trains, passengers and cargo throughout their journeys.
He added that the introduction of the technology was part of broader efforts to strengthen the training of railway professionals in the country.
Tanzania also plans to establish a train-driving training college to produce more qualified drivers to meet the growing demands of the railway sector.
Commenting on passenger services at Seke Station in Shinyanga Region, Professor Mbarawa said the station’s layout would provide for the separation of areas designated for departing and arriving passengers, as well as ticketing facilities.
He said the arrangement was intended to reduce congestion and make services more convenient and efficient for travellers.
The minister made the remarks during his inspection tour of infrastructure under the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project linking Dar es Salaam and Mwanza.