Austrian firm deployed to enhance rail safety

Hi-tech track

 A spate of train accidents in the recent past have forced the Centre to bring in the most modern technology and mechanism to ensure passenger safety. 

As part of this process, Austrian company Schuhfried has been given the task of taking up psychological tests to Indian locomotive drivers to improve their efficiency besides ensuring recruitment of better manpower.

“Schuhfried has been given the task of testing the Indian locomotive drivers on a pilot basis. The computerised psychological assessment tests are likely to start as early as this month or next month and is likely to lead to improved trade relations between the two countries,” Advantage Austria Commercial Counsellor Dr Wolfram Moritz told Deccan Herald. Advantage Austria is Austria’s official trade promotion organisation.

“The Indo-Austrian joint working group which met in September had discussed various investment and associating opportunities between the two countries. Some of the areas for cooperation that were discussed included railways and electronic toll system for roads across India,” Moritz added.

Schuhfried’s Vienna test system (VTS) includes an innovative test battery for the objective and valid identification of suitable train drivers and also includes tests for selection of station masters and rail traffic controllers.

 The Vienna test system also provides a large number of high-quality tests for the selection of staff in other areas such as station masters, rail traffic controllers and administration staff, according to Schuhfried.

Trade volume between Austria and India is currently over €1 billion a year. Austria exports machinery, vehicles, metals, iron, steel, pharmaceuticals and testing instruments  to India.