In a UK-first, the power of immersive augmented reality
is being harnessed to train staff who will run the HS2 north London
super hub at Old Oak Common.
The pioneering project sees HS2 Ltd partner with high-tech
S.M.E., PAULEY; the National College for High Speed Rail; and
Inventya. Together they will work with Old Oak Common station
designers, specialist engineers WSP, to develop augmented reality
(AR) training for the station’s future staff.
HS2 Ltd’s Stations Director, Mike Luddy, said:
From its earliest days Old Oak Common will be one of the UK’s
busiest and best-connected stations. Serving both HS2 and the
Elizabeth line (Crossrail) it is designed to handle around
275,000 passengers every day. To accommodate that number of
people in a pleasant, safe and efficient environment, it’s
crucial that staff know the station’s workings in detail.
The challenge is that Old Oak Common station hasn’t been built
yet. So to train the station’s entirely new workforce with the
skills and knowledge they will need we must innovate.
Through this project, which is supported by Innovate UK and the
DfT, we’re harnessing the power of digital technology to build
Old Oak Common in augmented reality.
Future staff entering an augmented reality world will be trained
in delivering a great customer experience, station maintenance
and safety so they can develop the skills to efficiently manage
the station before ever setting foot in it.
The AR training will have spin-off benefits for developing Old
Oak Common station itself. Trainees can provide feedback to its
designers on their experience of running the super hub, so plans
can be honed before it is built and help avoid making later and
costly changes to the building itself.
PAULEY’s founder and managing director, Philip Pauley, said:
We’re only starting to harness the power of augmented reality.
Few people really get what it is and what it can do. The way
you might want to think about it is like that famous Star Wars
scene where R2-D2 projects a 3D image of Princess Leia. That’s
what AR is, except for now it’s with the addition of a high
tech visor through which to see it.
The technology we’re bringing to HS2 enables the wearer to see
Old Oak Common station in minute detail. It unlocks huge
opportunities to explore, test and refine a digital replica of
the station years before the passengers arrive.
WSP Technical Director John Harding, said:
This technology will enable us to future proof Old Oak Common
station design. In future it can be used at other stations not
just for training but for all staff following a refurbishment
or upgrade.
National College for High Speed Rail’s CEO, Clair Mowbray, said:
The National College for High Speed Rail is delighted to be
part of this collaborative project, which will support the
development of training programmes for train station staff
using the latest interactive technologies.
Inventya Project Manager, Andrew Kent, said:
Through the use of immersive technology, their research is set
to improve the user experience of future train travellers, and
we’re excited to be part of the journey.
