The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is unveiling the country's first train simulators before the end of the month, the agency announced Wedneday, June 8.

The Philippine Railways Institute (PRI) will use the simulators, which the government procured via a P565 million grant from Japan, to train Filipino operators.

Already, the first batch of the train simulators have arrived in the country from Japan last month.

A train simulator replicates rail transport operations by computer, honing train drivers' skills to control doors, electricals and signaling systems and react promptly to any potential situation before they actually operate real trains on the tracks.

The simulator can reproduce an entire structure of a railway system, including line signaling and passenger stations.

PRI's train simulators will complement the training and development aspect of the DOTr railway projects.

The government expects more train operators to come onboard in the coming years, to service about 1,900 kilometers of railroad tracks.

As the country's first research and training center for train operators, the PRI also serves as the planning, implementing, and regulatory agency for human resource development in the railways sector.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte established the PRI via Executive Order No. 96 series of 2019 to ensure that personnel working in the railway systems will have the required competency.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is unveiling the country's first train simulators before the end of the month, the agency announced Wedneday, June 8.

The Philippine Railways Institute (PRI) will use the simulators, which the government procured via a P565 million grant from Japan, to train Filipino operators.

Already, the first batch of the train simulators have arrived in the country from Japan last month.

A train simulator replicates rail transport operations by computer, honing train drivers' skills to control doors, electricals and signaling systems and react promptly to any potential situation before they actually operate real trains on the tracks.

The simulator can reproduce an entire structure of a railway system, including line signaling and passenger stations.

PRI's train simulators will complement the training and development aspect of the DOTr railway projects.

The government expects more train operators to come onboard in the coming years, to service about 1,900 kilometers of railroad tracks.

As the country's first research and training center for train operators, the PRI also serves as the planning, implementing, and regulatory agency for human resource development in the railways sector.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte established the PRI via Executive Order No. 96 series of 2019 to ensure that personnel working in the railway systems will have the required competency.