PIANC Smart Rivers 2022

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St-Lawrence Seaway Canal - Locks and Bridges Operation Training Simulator.

The locks and bridges of the St. Lawrence Seaway, the largest inland waterway in Canada, are operated remotely from two control and operations centers. These structures are imposing in size, just as much as the vessels passing through them. The safe operation of these structures represents a challenge for all employees, especially new employees. There are no other similar places where it is possible to train and gain experience, hence, traditional training programs for new operators requires lengthy on the job experience with experienced operators. Added to this is the additional difficulty caused by skilled labor shortages. It has therefore become necessary to improve and reduce the training time for new employees using modern methods and tools. Thus, the St. Lawrence Seaway is developing an operation simulator for its structures and to be used for the training of the operators.

Two options were evaluated. The first is that of a fully Stand-alone Simulator, where structures are modeled and animated and where software and programs for controls, operator interfaces and cameras are replicated and simulated within the same overall simulator software. The second option is that of an Integrated Modular Simulator, using software and control programs, operator interfaces suite and the camera system in the loop for real time operation of the structures, to which they are integrated with simulation software hence emulating the response of mechanical and electrical systems with the navigation modeling. All of this is superimposed by 3D animation, simulating all the feeds to a fully representative operator console.

The option of the Integrated Modular Simulator was selected. Although a fully stand-alone simulator would be to easier to develop, it had the negative advantages as it would be less flexible to future technological changes of the structures & systems and therefore would require significant modifications to the simulation software as systems evolved. An Integrated Modular Simulator allows for seamless modifications to the simulator as actual systems evolve without impacting other sections of the simulator and always maintaining the simulator up to date to the actual systems which will represent less costs to maintain.

With an Integrated Modular simulator, it has the added benefit of using the simulator as an engineering validation tool to test and validate new technological modifications and improvements in a safe and secure environment before the actual implementation in the field. Abnormal and failure scenarios, such as equipment failures, or accidents, can also be simulated in order to prepare operators to react appropriately when such situations occur.

Simon Rémillard - St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, Brossard, Qc, Canada.

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