Transport for London Flash e-Learning System
The Client
Transport for London (TfL) are committed to improving the services it provides to its customers and staff. Following many years of under funding TfL is now actively seeking to drive improvements in the quality and delivery of transport services for Londoners and staff. And with a focused internal and external communications channel, TfL has a deep commitment to ensure strong and consistent user experiences for all clients and staff members across all markets.
As a leading player in its field, TfL employs some of the UK’s top brand and technology experts. Known for their ability to foster innovation, TfL looked to Harlequin Solutions to produce an eLearning system for its underground network to support the rollout and training of its London Underground Connect Program.
The Challenge
London Underground Connect Program is a new digital radio system connecting TfL underground staff. Replacing several out dated systems used on nine different types of rolling stock, it allows train drivers, line controllers and station staff to speak with one another via an intergrated radio system. With such a critical, high profile project, especially following security issues surrounding the London bombings, the success or failure of this project was reliant on the successful uptake and use by all staff.
The Brief
The development of an eLearning solution to support the London Underground Connect classroom training program.
The Solution
The Harlequin team met with project managers to outline the core objectives and key considerations. We needed to address critical questions such as:
- How are TfL staff best served by eLearning?
- How can we create a unified brand experience?
- How can the eLearning program work across different rolling stock?
Harlequin Solutions took the feedback and ideas from this meeting and conducted further evaluation and brainstorming. The result was an interactive solution which addressed all critical questions through the development of an online simulation and testing application, incorporating SQL tracking, measurement and reporting.
Harlequin Solutions understood that in order for the simulation to be effective, it had to look, sound and operate in exactly the same manner as the digital radio system, whilst at the same time reflect the TfL and Connect branding. It was further complicated by requiring visual design changes for each Underground line and rolling stock. By developing a Flash demonstration, Harlequin Solutions were able to meet all these requirements for both the fixed and mobile radio systems.
The interactive Flash simulation is held on the TfL Intranet and is used not only in a classroom environment for training, but also operates on ‘push technology’ prompting staff to undertake regular testing on the functions, use and capabilities of the digital radio system. By integrating measurement capability into the application, Harlequin Solutions were also able to offer TfL management a format for constant measurement and training evaluation.
The process took just 30 days from consultation to implementation.
The Result
Harlequin Solutions were able to provide a powerful, easy to use, cost effective solution to a high profile and highly complex radio system. The eLearning application was launched to a good reception from management and enthusiastic staff, providing critical momentum for the program.
We were looking for an expert web services agency who had the expertise and technical know how, who could match our enthusiasm, and who could produce a first class eLearning solution – we found this with Harlequin Solutions
Alistair Montgomery, Marketing & Communications Manager, Transport for London
