Several energy saving measures, including some of the most promising ones (e.g. regenerative brakes or driving advice systems), heavily depend on the collaboration of personnel.

The two main strategies to address this problem are

• Incentives for drivers
• Training programs to raise awareness

The following will be concerned with training programs.

Training units on energy saving can be given in special dedicated seminars or included as a special focus of existing training programmes for personnel. Drivers are the main target group of energy efficiency training, but personnel at stations who is responsible for punctual train departure as well as personnel in charge of parking mode during stand-still could also be addressed by such a measure.

Energy efficiency strategies which strongly depend on the co-operation of personnel include:

• use of regenerative brakes
• energy efficient driving style (both by drivers skill and supported by driving advise systems)
• time-efficient boarding at stations to gain buffer time
• heating and lighting of parked trains

Motivation of drivers

Training programmes can have a positive effect on motivation of personnel by showing to personnel that their behaviour matters and that they play a major role in the success of new technologies and achievement of environmental goals. This is especially important in view of the growing degree of external train control and automation in many fields of train operation.

Costs

Costs of training programs include direct costs of the programme and indirect costs through personnel being off duty while attending seminars.

Acceptance

Training seminars often meet scepticism due to doubts about the effectiveness of such a measure.

Training programs are cost-intensive:

• Direct costs of programme (instruction material, training personnel)
• Personnel costs through the stoppage of personnel attending the seminar