The RailStaff Awards 2024

Ebony Soltani-James

Said the following about Motion Reality:

“Used by more than 300,000 people since the beginning of 2018, Motion Rail created the virtual reality railway initially to educate office staff to have a greater awareness of the railway and the associated hazards so they could support the site teams more effectively and was developed further to help train lookouts and COSS’s. Recognising the benefits, ‘Motion Reality’ was developed with Network Rail and has now helped educate hundreds of thousands of youngsters throughout the communities we work in.

Engaging with the University of South Wales, Motion Rail created a virtual reality railway that focuses on the dangers surrounding the improper use of the railway - in particular level crossings and trespass - using gamification.

This was around the same time as Network Rail’s ‘Bossing the Crossing’ campaign was launched. Recognising the impact and what a powerful tool the virtual reality railway was in engaging and educating children, it occurred to Emma Dymond, Motion Rail’s CEO, that although you couldn’t take children to a level crossing to teach them about the dangers, you could take a virtual railway to the classroom!

With the support of Network Rail and Allan Spence, Head of Public and Passenger Safety, Motion Rail developed the virtual reality platform to ensure compliance to standards and this led to establishing Motion Reality, a not-for-profit entity.

Together with the Network Rail Community Safety Managers, a plan was developed to take Motion Reality and the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) Bridge to School’s programme to the classroom. This was a huge success with children of all ages and Motion Reality has been used at many STEM-based events across the UK including the Big Bang fairs.

Using virtual reality headsets, the children are presented with a level crossing which must be crossed safely by following the right sequence of tasks. If they cross the white line where they are told to stop as the train passes, it will hit them. There isn't any blood / gore as not to scare them.

The experience is fun but also makes the children realise the consequences of what can and does happen in real life, which makes them more likely to remember what they have been taught. The training is repeated until the user crosses the crossing correctly.

“The great work by Motion Rail to develop their immersive virtual reality is a brilliant way to engage youngsters and help them understand the simple steps that will keep them safe. It is an example to other companies in the industry of the way we all need to work together to eliminate trespass and level crossing tragedies.” Allan Spence, Head of Public & Passenger Safety, Network Rail

Motion Reality has been used by more than 300,000 people since the beginning of 2018. Although the impact of the Motion Reality programme on trespass and incidents has yet to be known, the University of South Wales assessed rail safety knowledge in children pre and post training. Following the training, knowledge and retention improved by 42% on average.

“As the railway continues to get busier, we must continue to work hard to make sure young people are aware of the dangers that exist on and near the tracks.

We’re proud to be at the forefront of innovation in the rail industry, so it’s fantastic to be working with Motion Rail, and supporting their delivery of virtual reality safety sessions in schools. By engaging with young people early, we can raise awareness of rail safety, and help keep the communities we serve safe.” Andy Thomas - former Interim Managing Director England & Wales, Network Rail

Plans are now in place to take Motion Reality to train stations as part of the Samaritans million hours challenge to hold sessions around mental health awareness, educating people on how train drivers feel when a person is struck or a near miss and the devastating ripple effect it has on individuals, friends and family.

Motion Reality is a powerful tool to help people think differently, especially those youngsters who think the railway is a place to play.“