Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
This concept of a guided system on tyres provides medium-sized towns and city suburbs with a modern, efficient form of transport.
In projects like this, SYSTRA can offer a wide choice of innovative solutions, in terms of capacity, frequency, urban integration, accessibility and comfort.
SYSTRA’s multi-disciplinary approach comes into its own as it covers a range of different modes of transport, operating systems and infrastructure and provides tailor-made solutions for each local authority.
This innovative expertise, which has been developed by SYSTRA over recent years, has established our reputation as the only French engineering firm to excel in all forms of guided transport. Most recently, SYSTRA has undertaken BRT projects for towns such as Sénart-Corbeil, Lyons, Nîmes, Saint-Brieuc, Metz, Nancy and Rouen.
Recent projects
Sénart-Corbeil, Reunion Island, Mulhouse, Strasbourg and Ile de France (Petite Couronne).
Nimes BRT
For this transport project, creative solutions were required to meet the dual objectives of providing a certain level of service whilst redeveloping an urban area.
The main North-South line consisted of a dedicated 6km line with 13 stations with trains running every 5 minutes at peak periods. SYSTRA handled project management and co-ordination of the transport systems component of the contract. Commissioning and launch of the North-South line was completed at the end of 2011.
Tram-Trains
The principle of the tram-train is based on the use of existing railway lines to carry light rail such as tramways to connect suburban areas to the city centre without passengers having to change trains.
As early as 1995, SYSTRA teams were at the forefront of research into tram-trains in France. With our skills in transport planning and engineering in both urban and rail transport, the company became involved in setting up numerous projects for suburban rail services. Tram-train services were launched in the cities of Nantes and Lyons and in Mulhouse, where the Thur Valley service is one of the most advanced tram-train projects in France.
Today, SYSTRA is working to complete several new tram-train projects, either running on existing rail lines (Medoc, Nantes-Chateaubriand), or on newly-built infrastructure (Northern Tangential, Reunion Island).
Recent projects
Northern Tangential, Le Medoc (Aulnay-Brody), Loire Valley (Tours), Rhône-Alpes (Rhône-Alpes Region, Lyons, Geneva, Grenoble, Saint-Etienne, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Languedoc-Roussillon (Marseilles, Nice-Côte d’Azur, Nimes, Montpellier), Grand Ouest (Basque Region, La Rochelle-Rochefort, Nantes, Rouen), Portugal (Coimbra), Italy (Livorno-Pisa-Lucca).
Mulhouse Tram-train
In 1997, SYSTRA was asked to prepare a feasibility study for the network.
In 2000, SYSTRA completed the application for state planning approval on the suburban and rural sections of the network to the north of Mulhouse. As project manager for the urban section, SYSTRA was in charge of coordination with the project manager for the suburban section until the launch of the service in 2007.
Monorails
Monorails are guided modes of transport with cars which are typically much wider than the single track, rail, or concrete beam on which they run.
There are three systems in use: the vehicle sits astride the rail, or hangs from it, or balance is maintained using a gyroscope. Monorails are often designed for travel over relatively short distances. SYSTRA applies specialist skills to this type of transport, providing effective solutions with regard to consulting, drawing up specifications, preparing feasibility and pre-project studies (design, planning, etc.), assessing technical and financial bids, assisting with negotiations…
Recent projects
Saudi Arabia (King Abdullah Financial District of Riyadh), United Arab Emirates (Palm Jumeirah Island in Dubai).
The Jumeirah Island Monorail in Dubai
In the superb surroundings of the Palm Island archipelago of artificial islands, SYSTRA has been a partner in the construction of the Jumeirah monorail, which covers a distance of 5.4 km and serves 4 stations. To complete the project, SYSTRA has provided expertise in drawing up designs, operating plans, and safety procedures. To achieve this, SYSTRA worked in partnership with Marubeni Constructor, the leading contractor on the project.
Cable Transport
Cable transport is primarily a guided means of transport using cabins, chairs or other apparatus moved by cable. The equipment either runs along the ground (ski lifts, funicular railways, lifts etc) or is suspended overhead (zip wires, cable cars, chair lifts etc). It can be a form of public transport in towns and in the mountains, or for private use by individuals, or industrial or military purposes.
SYSTRA also demonstrates its skills in this field, both in constructing cable transport systems and in providing expertise at the initial stages of conception of the project.
Recent projects
Construction of a cable transport system between Bagnolet-Gallieni and Romainville (due for completion in 2017), feasibility study for cable transport between the hamlet of Pont-du-Loup and the hill village of Gourdon.
Cable transport Pont-du-Loup/Gourdon
Between the historic village of Gourdon and the hamlet of Pont-du-Loup, both in the Alpes Maritimes region, there is a difference in altitude of 500m or more. To make it easier for tourists to travel between these two sites, the Sophia Antipolis Area Authority has commissioned SYSTRA in partnership with MDP Consulting and GOLELITHE, to carry out a feasibility study for cable transport to link the two villages and the option to extend the system at a later date. As part of the contract, SYSTRA has been asked to analyse current travel practices, provide estimates of potential passenger numbers, both locals and tourists, and proposals for a range of fares and revenue forecasts. The project is due for completion in early 2013.
