SYSTRA has been selected jointly with Dexia to produce a definition and technical feasibility study for a dedicated site public transportation system for the Barra da Tijuca district.

It is Rio de Janeiro's intention to create a dedicated site public transportation system in the district. It is in effect a relatively large new town (160 sq. m.), which is to welcome the 2007 Pan American Games. Although it already boats numerous commercial, sport and cultural facilities, the area does not have a bus system as yet. With the construction of the athletes' village currently under way, the need to introduce an efficient public transportation system is becoming increasingly acute.

France has decided to provide backing via FASEP subsidies.

The design was entrusted to SYSTRA, and will be conducted jointly with the Agency for Transport of the town of Rio de Janeiro; it is intended to reach a decision on the mode (tramway or guided road system) and corridors (circa 20 km); Dexia is in charge of financial engineering.

The mission is scheduled over an 8 month period and will be manned by a dozen or so SYSTRA specialists.