Heavy Rail Transit/Subway
Light Rail Transit
Automatic Guided Transit
Brief outline Services Experience
Fifteen years after the start up of the first TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse or High Speed Train) system, traffic growth on TGVs has exceeded all expectations giving France the confidence to build other routes creating the core of the emerging European high speed rail network. France is now operating 1,200 km of new high speed lines in daily commercial service at up to 300 km/h (186 mph). While such speed is now a routine feature of French rail travel, it is well below the upper limit of TGV potential. On May 18, 1990, TGV unit 325 established a new world-speed record of 515.3 km/hour (320.2 mph). The commercial success of TGV generated significant new levels of rail travel and paved the way for other new lines to be built.

    The TGV is the cheapest transport mode as regards investment, the most economical in energy consumption (in spite of its running speed), and the most environmentally friendly.  Although it is based on technology more than a century old, the TGV is truly innovative and breaks through the boundaries of conventional railway concepts. The most notable improvements on the TGV and their technical and commercial effects can be appreciated in the specificity of its rolling stock and technical equipment (signaling and communications, track, overhead catenary system) which make up the TGV core system.




 
France, TGV Atlantique

Taking advantage of its considerable experience acquired in France, SYSTRA has developed a full range of skills and expertise, which focuses on:

    - performance and customization
    - operability
    - maintainability
    - safety
    - reduction of impacts
    - cost control
    - economic return and financial soundness.
     



Inspired by the technical and commercial success of the French experience, many other countries in the world have been strongly encouraged to develop their own high speed rail projects. SYSTRA has offered them numerous services:
  • - Technical and economical feasibility studies: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Indonesia, Portugal, Spain, USA.
    - Design and Construction engineering: Belgium, Italy, Russia, Spain, Taiwan.
    - Operation and Maintenance assistance: Korea, Spain.
    Besides, SYSTRA has been or is appointed as special advisor and consulting engineer to High Speed Consortia formed to submit and negotiate major BOT bids: Great Britain, Russia, Taiwan, USA.