The last week of March saw the Light Rail Operators Committee (LROC) from UKTram meet in Sheffield where they saw details of an overspeed control system which is being tested in the UK whilst they also discussed operational priorities for the sector.
The day began at Supertram’s Nunnery Square Depot where attendees were given a presentation on SIMOVE. This is an innovative Siemens system which is designed to assist in vehicle control by preventing overspeed incidents. Its already used at Metro Tenerife and Metro Ligero and is now being tested in the UK.
After the presentation, attendees got a tour of the rest of the Supertram depot including the control room ahead of moving to the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority headquarters for an afternoon session looking at operational priorities in the sector.
This included strategies to increase patronage and adapt timetables in response to shifting passenger needs, participants sharing ideas to address driver recruitment and retention alongside discussions about the challenges of rolling out Driver Vigilance and Overspeed Protection systems.
In addition two networks reported the benefits they have found in using a new drugs and alcohol testing device that is more cost-effective and less resource-confining than traditional methods.
During the meeting it was suggested that holding a separate meeting specifically looking at driver resourcing may provide a platform to share best practice. Its hoped this would give a unique insight into all the tools and techniques available to improve on the efficient and effective driver rosters across the industry.