Hanshin Electric Railway Co., Ltd. – Case Studies – Sharp Professional LCD Monitors

Focused Training in More True-to-Life Settings

Customer Needs/Problems

Hanshin Electric Railway Co., Ltd., a major railway operator in Japan’s Kansai region, planned a major overhaul of its train-driving simulation apparatus, due to the advanced age of some of the components in the old system. In particular, Hanshin sought new video equipment capable of displaying more lifelike video with greater clarity and detail. The customer also required a video wall to use when training conductors, to replace the system of training them on specially requisitioned trains.

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  The three previously used rear-projection screens failed to create a sufficiently realistic effect, due partly to the wide gaps between screens.

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  Using a projector required the training room to be darkened.

Why Sharp?

Hanshin selected a multi-panel display in a 1×6 configuration for its life-sized train-driving simulator. This display is capable of reproducing highly accurate graphic images of the landscape between train stations. A 2×2 multi-panel display for training conductors was also installed. The highly realistic on-screen images of these displays has enhanced the quality of training for drivers and conductors alike.

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  Brightness. The highly bright Sharp LCD panels eliminated the need to dim lights in the simulator room. Now instructors can better observe trainees, and trainees can take notes more easily.

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  Size. With a width of over 4.5 m, the screen occupies the driver’s entire visual field.

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  Slim bezel. The small gaps between adjacent monitors make for a near-seamless video wall.

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  Versatility. Video simulations can be used to train staff to handle a wide range of possible emergency situations, such as fires and earthquakes.

Looking Ahead

With a view to ensuring the continued safe operation of train services, Hanshin intends to install video equipment for use in training workers in other divisions of the company.