Opsimu, CLEARSY’s new train driving simulator, more ergonomic with its 3D visualisation

29 November 2022

CLEARSY is launching a new version of its operational train driving simulator on tracks equipped with the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS/ETCS). Opsimu already stands out on the market for its accuracy, ergonomics and advanced functionalities.

Opsimu simulates the driving of a train on tracks equipped with an ERTMS/ETCS supervision system.  It builds and executes endlessly thousands of scenarios that reflect the traffic conditions established by a standard (ETCS) that aims to harmonise European signalling systems. Patrick Deutsch leads the ERTMS activities at CLEARSY: The scenarios combine all the events likely to be transmitted to the simulated train (ETCS messages by balise, loop or radio, change of signal aspect, level crossing control, change of position of a point, incidents). Installed in front of his screen, immersed in a very realistic projection of the track (3D visualisation), joystick in hand, the user drives in real time.

The applications are numerous and globally Opsimu can be inserted in any project requiring a precise ETCS on-board simulation. Developed to cover all situations, Opsimu does not deviate from the norm even in degraded driving situations. There is no simplification or imprecision in our system,” adds Patrick Deutsch, “but an ability to experiment the intricacies and subtleties of the specifications, whatever they may be. The direct advantage is that Opsimu is perfectly suited to engineers, whose training can be accelerated. Access to a very large number of parameters enables them to learn the operation of the ERTMS/ETCS system very quickly, and to be quickly operational.

The tool fits on a laptop and includes a suite of four tools developed by CLEARSY. A new version of the scenario analyser adds precision and ergonomics to the visualisation of the train status at each moment of the scenario. The 3D visualisation completes the ergonomics of the training by projecting the track image in a very realistic way. In a more powerful option, Opsimu allows the import of all data, the execution of the scenarios in accelerated mode and the automated analysis of the results. This option saves considerable time and reduces human errors. Opsimu comes with training and is currently available in three versions: Baseline 2, Baseline 3 MR1 and Baseline 3 R2.

The ATO functionality is currently being implemented as part of the “Game Changers”.