SYSTRA Ltd Appoints Nick Salt as CEO

SYSTRA Ltd Appoints Nick Salt as CEO

Nick joins the company from Galliford Try where he was Managing Director for Infrastructure. Nick has spent over 20 years in the design and delivery of infrastructure in rail and the wider transportation industry.

Nick Salt joins the UK Management Team, whose current members include: Andrew McNaughton, Chairman; Steve Higham, Engineering Divisional Director; Richard Hancox, Consultancy Director; Lauren Lloyd, Human Resources; and, Tim Lewis, Finance and Business Services Director.

Leeds Station Renovations Unveiled at Launch Event

SYSTRA worked with Network Rail to deliver architectural design and project management of this ambitious renovation programme for the southern concourse in less than one year. The work involved the reinvention of the late 1960’s wooden roof and updates to the station entrance, Southern concourse retail space, ticket gateline and public WC facilities. New lighting and a gold entrance façade adds to the passenger experience, and all completed whilst the station remained open to the public 24/7.

The architecture and engineering team at SYSTRA worked collaboratively, boldly driving an ambitious programme and ensuring that the station renovations went beyond expectations. The project delivered additional design elements to create a wow factor for the 30 million passengers travelling through Leeds every year, delivering an aesthetically pleasing finish and a more secure, future proof station.

To maximise first impressions a gold metal façade was chosen, a transparent roof was created to allow natural daylight to flood the concourse and human circadian rhythmic lighting was incorporated into the design to mimic natural daylight. Natural lines were created inside the concourse to encourage the ‘flow of traffic’ through the space, subliminally encouraging passengers to move in the direction of the gateline.

Out with the old, in with the see through

With a brief from Network Rail to remove the dark and dated wooden panelling from its roof and ‘bring in more light’ to the concourse, the project team knew they had their work cut out to transform the space within a 24hr functioning station in just 11 months. To add to the complexity, the brief outlined the requirement for removal of asbestos, electrical cabling and oil-based paint finishes.

The designers team developed a solution using Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) to allow natural daylight to flood through the roof whilst remaining strong, durable and long lasting. This translucent fluoride-based polymer sheeting offers notable high strength properties over a wide temperature range and high resistance to corrosion. The additional bonus of this material is that it’s light weight and quick to install, making it an ideal solution for the short timescale. The final result sees an impressive pillow design over two tiered levels, providing optimum amounts of light streaming through into the concourse.

Let there be light

In addition to the transparent roof, the team knew that on a dull overcast day, natural light would not deliver the full effect of the teams vision. To overcome this, the design incorporated a first for the railways by using a new lighting system, Human Circadian Rhythm Lighting (HCRL). Previously only used in the UK in a handful of care establishments, such as hospitals, HCRL mimics the light patterns of natural daylight with a cooler white light in the mornings and warmer yellow light in the evenings.

The technology behind the new lighting identifies with the human body’s need for rhythmic light patterns akin to the changing daily natural light cycles. In doing so, HCRL allows passengers to experience the same effect inside the station as that of the natural light patterns, resulting in the body clock remaining in sync and encouraging positive moods.

As good as gold

With the new entrance providing the main gateway to and from the city, the plans have involved the removal of the old, blue, square fronted canopy, making way for a new ‘pinched’ entrance canopy carrying a modern gold welcome into the city using anodised aluminium. Chosen for its light-weight and robust properties, the new gold façade provides a more upmarket first impression, tying in with the Southern entrance. The new entrance also includes new full height glazing, further enhancing the connections to New Station Street and the wider city centre.

Furthermore, old information boards and information points have been removed with new CIS, advertisement screens and a Customer Information Point installed to support a more intuitive passenger experience. The previous gateline caused passenger congestion, but the newly unveiled Automatic Ticket Gateline (ATG) arrangements are set to relieve congestion on both the concourse and platforms.

To complete the renovations, a new seated waiting area has been created at the southern concourse in between the entrance and the new Customer Information Point. This location has been carefully planned by the design team to create an obstruction-free flow of passenger traffic whilst allowing those waiting for their train times or loved ones to sit in a clutter free environment.

Other consultants working on the project for SYSTRA were M10 Fire, Fourways Telecoms, Kerbian, CCD, Buro Happold.

Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA joint venture awarded HS2 contract for Old Oak Common station

The joint venture will be responsible for the final design, construction and commissioning of Old Oak Common station in North West London, delivering six underground platforms as well as up to eight platforms on the adjacent Great Western Main Line.

Balfour Beatty’s in-depth expertise of constructing critical major transport terminals across the world will combine with VINCI’s knowledge in constructing high speed lines and UK rail infrastructure projects, and SYSTRA’s expertise in designing, integrating and project managing transport systems.

On completion, Old Oak Common station will become the UK’s best-connected station, providing direct services to three major airports, eight of Britain’s ten largest cities and forming part of one of Britain’s largest regeneration projects which will help create up to 65,000 jobs and 25,000 new homes in West London while also dramatically increasing rail capacity across the UK.

At construction peak the project will employ a direct management team of 140 and a wider workforce of approximately 2,500.

This latest contract award follows Balfour Beatty VINCI’s appointment in 2017 to deliver Lot N1 and Lot N2 of HS2’s main civil engineering works package in a two-part design and build contract, valued at c. £2.5 billion.

SYSTRA acquires TSP Projects doubling the size of its UK operations

This investment reinforces SYSTRA’s longstanding commitment to the UK, where it has been active for more than 50 years. It is the company’s first major engineering acquisition in the UK and follows the acquisitions of SIAS Transport Planners in 2016 and JMP Consultants Ltd in 2015.

By acquiring TSP Projects, SYSTRA is cementing its position as a major UK force in engineering and consultancy for mass transit, mobility and complex infrastructure. SYSTRA is already number five globally among mass transit and rail international design firms*, and the acquisition places the company firmly alongside the UK’s leading consulting engineering firms.

The architecture and engineering team at SYSTRA worked collaboratively, boldly driving an ambitious programme and ensuring that the station renovations went beyond expectations. The project delivered additional design elements to create a wow factor for the 30 million passengers travelling through Leeds every year, delivering an aesthetically pleasing finish and a more secure, future proof station.

EXPERTISE IN EVERY ASPECT OF RAIL PROJECTS, DELIVERED THROUGH AN EXPANDED UK FOOTPRINT

From today, TSP Projects will continue to operate as TSP Projects and run as a business unit of our UK & Ireland operations. The combined company will provide clients with a complete end-to-end service spanning every aspect of rail projects, as well as specialist understanding of mobility and complex infrastructure.

It will deliver expertise across the full project lifecycle, from strategic advisory and design to systems integration, programme and construction management, testing & commissioning, and asset management. This expertise will be delivered through a significantly expanded UK footprint, providing clients with a highly localised service.

SYSTRA’s national and international experience in high speed rail, heavy rail, metro, light rail transit and transport consultancy, combined with TSP Projects’ extensive experience in the UK heavy rail sector, will create a leader in transportation solutions expert in all aspects of rail engineering, complex infrastructure and transport planning.

TSP Projects’ expertise in civil engineering, electrification and track will expand and complement SYSTRA’s UK rail engineering services, which include detailed design and the commissioning of integrated systems.

The combined company will also give clients access to new digital services, smart technologies, international expertise and proven innovation developed across SYSTRA’s global portfolio of mass transit and mobility projects.

AN EXPANDED RANGE OF SERVICES FOR INFRASTRUCTURE OWNERS AND CONTRACTORS

UK clients will benefit from high-end, specialist technical expertise and high-quality production capacity across the full spectrum of design, engineering and programme/construction management. Serving infrastructure owners and operators, as well as contractors, the combined company will deliver specialist design & build, lead designer and programme management services.

SYSTRA is committed to driving TSP Projects’ expansion in sectors outside transportation, including energy from waste, modular construction and security.

A LONG-TERM FUTURE FOR TSP PROJECTS EMPLOYEES

TSP Projects staff will benefit from access to a broader range of opportunities through joining a 6,700-strong, global company with a 60-year track record in mass transit, mobility and infrastructure. TSP Projects employees will be able to apply their expertise to other markets and develop their skills in new areas and technologies.

The combined UK & Ireland team of more than 800 employees in 13 office locations will be able to export homegrown skills to clients across SYSTRA’s global operations in 80 countries.

SYSTRA’s Landmark Maritime Bridge Reference in Kuwait

This infrastructure, built on behalf of the Public Authority for Roads and Transportation (PART), the project owner, is one of the longest maritime causeways in the world and has even set a record: 34.1km of bridge over the sea. This new crossing brings Kuwait City closer to the future city of ‘Madinat Al-Hareer’ in the north, a future zone of economic activity, with the aim of creating a central hub in the Gulf by 2030. In designing this unique infrastructure, SYSTRA has confirmed its position as a world leader in bridge engineering.

A REMARKABLE INFRASTRUCTURE

This bridge links the capital Kuwait City in the south of the bay of Kuwait to the Subiyah area in the north of the Emirate, by 36.1km of technical feats (Main Link). By adding the 12.4km section (Doha Link) enabling the Doha area to connect in the west, the structure is one of the longest maritime causeways in the world with a total length of 48.5km.

For five years SYSTRA worked for the consortium formed by the South Korean firm Hyundai E&C and the Kuwaiti company CGCC, and was entrusted with the responsibility for the complete design of the main link.

The Main Link comprises a maritime bridge 26.4km long including a cable-stayed bridge with a total length of 340m and a main span of 177m, an onshore bridge of around 4.5km ensuring connection with the Ghazali interchange, two artificial islands, two reclamations and two marinas designed by our sub-contractor Artelia Gulf, 30 buildings with a total surface area of 16,000m² for management and maintenance of the project’s infrastructure, among which a panoramic tower for visitors, as well as all electrical and mechanical systems. SYSTRA also carried out the assignment of independent checking engineering for the Doha Link for the South Korean firm GS E&C in charge of the construction.

INNOVATION AT THE HEART OF SYSTRA’S PROJECT

The accumulation of non-standard elements and technical challenges to overcome in a desert and marine environment pushed SYSTRA to implement leading edge technical and economic solutions never used before on such a scale.

“The bold option of proposing monopiles to support the structure, even in an unfavourable geological context, enabled stability, while significantly reducing seismic effects, the need for natural resources and the risk of concrete dispersion in the sea,” explains Mohamed Akraa, project director. The opportunity for SYSTRA to propose a world first: the precast in a dedicated casting yard of the entire prestressed 40 and 60m spans of 950 to 1,600 tons respectively using a pre-tension system was one of the keys to the project’s success. These construction methods enabled the impacts on marine ecosystems as well as the construction risks associated with offshore works to be significantly reduced.

INNOVATION AT THE HEART OF SYSTRA’S PROJECT

Between 2013 and 2016, 14,650 drawings were produced by the 250 SYSTRA experts involved in the project. The successful coordination of multicultural teams in France, India, Kuwait, Dubai and Korea was also crucial to the project’s success. “With management of the project in Paris, and with the support of the coordination team in Kuwait, we combined know-how, united cultural differences and managed time zone issues. These teams, interconnected perfectly as one, allowed us to successfully carry out the design within the specified timeframes,” added Mohamed Akraa.

SYSTRA Celebrates International Women’s Day 2019

1. WHAT DOES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY MEAN TO YOU?

RON: (Graduate Transport Modeller): To me International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate every woman out there. Women started fighting for equal opportunities over 100 years ago, and I feel that fight has helped me become what I am today, hence this day should be celebrated.

ROSARIO (Project Director): I have mixed feelings about the day. On one hand is the realisation that we are still fighting for gender balance. But on the other hand, is a great day to discover and celebrate the achievements made by women.

ESHA (Assistant Consultant): To me, International Women’s Day is about breaking down the socially constructed barriers which lead women to feel inferior to their male counterparts. It is about being yourself, thinking that ‘I can do this,’ and overriding the typical ‘Barbie girl’ image of what is seen as ‘ideal’ and ‘preferred’ in society. It is about celebrating our differences, and putting aside our divisions, to unite and create progressive and equal opportunities.

CATHERINE (Civil Engineer): This is a day a certain quote below resonates most to me: “Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we raise them, and most importantly, may we be them.”

2. WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO WORK IN AN INDUSTRY PERCEIVED TO BE MALE DOMINATED?

SHARON: The main reason I joined this industry is because of my interest in the Transportation field. Being in a male dominated industry came second to that, I have always been of the opinion that if a man can do it, then why can’t I? That spirit and perseverance has allowed me to become a member of the SYSTRA Ltd Family.

ROSARIO: I always loved architecture but was not very artistic. I also loved building things and I was good at maths, physics and chemistry so it was a no brainer for me to go into engineering. The thought of going into a male dominated industry never crossed my mind.

ESHA: I wanted to work in Transport Planning because of its relevance in society. I don’t believe that working in a male dominated industry should prevent women from reaching their aspirations and paving out a successful career pathway. For me, working in this industry was about my passion, resilience and determination, despite it being male dominated.

CATHERINE: Right from childhood, I have always had a passion for the built environment. But most of all, I was greatly encouraged and supported by my family and teachers to not be afraid to pursue my dream career.

3. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO FEMALE STUDENTS LOOKING FOR A TECHNICAL CAREER PATH?

SHARON: The main reason I joined this industry is because of my interest in the Transportation field. Being in a male dominated industry came second to that, I have always been of the opinion that if a man can do it, then why can’t I? That spirit and perseverance has allowed me to become a member of the SYSTRA Ltd Family.

ROSARIO: I always loved architecture but was not very artistic. I also loved building things and I was good at maths, physics and chemistry so it was a no brainer for me to go into engineering. The thought of going into a male dominated industry never crossed my mind.

ESHA: I wanted to work in Transport Planning because of its relevance in society. I don’t believe that working in a male dominated industry should prevent women from reaching their aspirations and paving out a successful career pathway. For me, working in this industry was about my passion, resilience and determination, despite it being male dominated.

CATHERINE: Right from childhood, I have always had a passion for the built environment. But most of all, I was greatly encouraged and supported by my family and teachers to not be afraid to pursue my dream career.

4. WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE FOR WOMEN WHO ARE JUST STARTING OUT IN YOUR INDUSTRY?

SHARON: I deeply relate to this question as I started out less than 6 months back. These past few months has taught me more than I could ever learn from books or lectures.

ROSARIO: Just be yourself, focus on your talent and don’t allow anyone to say that you don’t belong.

ESHA: I think for women starting out in this industry, it is important to be pro-active and get stuck in with the projects that you have been assigned, asking for help when you need it, while not being afraid to challenge the status quo. Furthermore, get to know and speak to senior women in the company you work for and wider through networking events.

CATHERINE: 1. Say yes to every opportunity that comes your way, even if you do not know the ‘how’, the process will be your teacher. 2. At the start, it will seem intimidating, but keep going it gets easier. Focus on your growth. 3. Do not get caught up in the ‘achieving your professional qualification in a certain time limit’, it is a process, you will eventually get there.

5. HOW DO YOU THINK WE CAN OVERCOME BARRIERS, ENCOURAGE AND NURTURE EMPLOYMENT AMONG WOMEN IN THE ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL (STEM) INDUSTRIES?

SHARON: Honestly, I feel like there will always be barriers while working in such fields, but if you are confident enough and have a good support system such as good team mates, project manager’s, colleagues etc., that could make a world of a difference.

ROSARIO: While we are making progress, I think there is still a long way to go. The society is slowly getting educated to appreciate STEM and those barriers are slowly disappearing. Working with schools (including children, parents and teachers) is fundamental to change their perception and to encourage girls to consider engineering as a career path. Also with the arrival of new technology, the way we see and do engineering is changing rapidly. This is getting the attention of younger generations, so we must find ways to maximise this opportunity and encourage them to get more involved.

ESHA: I think perceptions about overcoming gender norms should be instilled from a young age, for example, LEGO’s are not just for boys, while dolls are not just for girls. It is important that STEM subjects and knowledge of future career paths is actively promoted to women in schools- there needs to be a ‘can do,’ positive attitude about women in STEM. More importantly, I think it is important that young women considering opportunities in STEM can talk women who are working in the industry, to help overcome any fears or misconceptions,

CATHERINE: I think one of the most important things we need is more mentorship, encouragement and support especially for the younger generation in the industry. At times we need to hear and echo the experiences of those who have excelled before us, in order to know that excellence in this male

6. WHAT MAKES SYSTRA A GREAT PLACE TO WORK FOR WOMEN?

SHARON: There are various reasons why working for SYSTRA is great, The work culture here is extremely friendly and light, my colleagues never treated me as a ‘New starter’ who was also an International student, they made me feel very welcomed from Day 1. Further a lot of the senior positions at SYSTRA are held by women, which makes you think that that could be you one day if you work hard enough and not give up on your dreams.

ROSARIO: I am valued as a professional who can contribute to the growth of the business. I also feel that SYSTRA promotes the development of talent and allows you to thrive. Just look at the number of women and the average age of our workforce.

ESHA: The people at SYSTRA make it such a great place to work, for everyone. Importantly, at SYSTRA there is an equal respect for everyone, no matter what gender, race or grade; you are valued. There are a number of successful women in the office who inspire me, through their commitment, knowledge and morals. The best thing is, they are always willing to offer you advice or just have a general chat with you, whether about technical skills or about the latest BBC drama. And yes- I have found myself saying, ‘I want to be like her,’ when working with my line manager and others in the office.

CATHERINE: SYSTRA has taken great initiative in supporting women including a notable number of women being recruited in STEM job opportunities and offering quite good incentives that support women including flexible working

7. HOW DO YOU THINK WE COULD STRIKE A BETTER BALANCE IN OUR INDUSTRY AND IN SYSTRA #BALANCEFORBETTER?

SHARON: I think a better balance could be developed by providing equal opportunity to all and having a diverse group of employees as that would definitely make an organisation more innovative and competitive.

ROSARIO:

Existing role models in the industry and at SYSTRA have a massive role to play in breaking potential barriers. They have the option to influence people to brake any existing barriers, but also to motivate people to thrive and develop their talent to achieve gender-balanced boardrooms for example.

The use of social media can be very powerful to raise awareness, to encourage younger generations to take action but also allows them to find organisations (like SYSTRA) and people (like me!) that share their views and values.

ESHA:  I think the first step for this industry is to not be afraid to talk about the issues relating to the lack of number of women in transport planning and engineering. The industry needs to promote diversity through focusing on the best talent, no matter what gender. The industry needs to show its openness to achieve #BalanceforBetter through collaboration of different companies, and acknowledging the amazing women we have in the industry today. It’s also very important that it is recognised that attitudes towards gender equality vary around the globe. As SYSTRA has a global presence, #BalanceforBetter needs to be a key movement in giving more women the confidence to pursue such a career.

CATHERINE: For starters, we could try and have gender balance in all sectors for instance in the different committee boards in the industry, a gender-balance of employees at work and within leadership roles.

Safe by Design Young Engineers Forum

Can you tell us a bit more about this forum and why it is/should be of interest to young engineers in the company?

What other companies are usually involved? How does networking in this forum help you work with these companies on live projects?

What’s something that you’ve learned from attending this forum that you wouldn’t have otherwise known? What benefits are there to being part of this forum?

Finally, how do you become part of the forum if you’re interested?

EGIP – Edinburgh Glasgow Electrification Project

SYSTRA’S ROLE

3rd Metro Line for the Greater Toulouse Region: SYSTRA and ARCADIS Win a New Contract

SYSTRA and ARCADIS have been awarded a systems project management assistance (PMA) contract on the third metro line for the Greater Toulouse region by Tisséo Collectivités and Tisséo Ingénierie. This is a strategically important project for Toulouse and the wider region.

This new line is approximately 27km long and will transport more than 200,000 people per day in both directions, serving a total of 20 stations. It will connect with metro Lines A and B, two tram lines and several Linéo bus lines. It will also improve the connection between Blagnac airport and Matabiau station. The new line will serve an urban population of 1.3 million inhabitants and three main employment centres in the region.

SYSTRA is leading the consortium, which includes ARCADIS. The contract will involve defining all systems for the line, stations and the maintenance and stabling site. This includes rolling stock, automated and nonautomated control systems, centralised control systems and platform screen doors, as well as track, power and maintenance equipment.

Lionel Barin, ARCADIS Development Director said : “Our continued involvement with Tisséo-Collectivités and Tisséo-Ingénierie in emblematic transport projects for the city of Toulouse and recognition of our expertise are reflected in this latest success. Following our project management for the extension of three ‘short’ stations as part of the capacity doubling for Toulouse Metro Line A, ARCADIS experts, who are very close to our clients, will once again benefit from a flagship infrastructure project for a city and its wider region.”

SYSTRA AND TISSÉO: PARTNERS FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS

SYSTRA has been working with Toulouse’s transportation authorities since 1985. The company was involved in Line A, the first automated metro line in Toulouse, initially as design engineer then as project manager assistant for the civil engineering phases.

From 1991, SYSTRA led the project management for the preliminary design and then, from 1998 to June 2007, for the infrastructure on Line B of the automated metro. Between 2016 and 2017, SYSTRA carried out preliminary designs for the 3rd line, for which the teams received the ‘BIM d’Argent’ award in the ‘Infrastructure Project’ category in 2017. Earlier this year, SYSTRA Group’s subsidiary SYSTRA Foncier won a major land acquisition assistance contract for this project

ARCADIS, A MAJOR PLAYER IN TOULOUSE SINCE 1972

Since 1972, ARCADIS has been present in the Greater Toulouse region, providing continuity for its local clients. The company has demonstrated its expertise, developing its specialised metro skills locally, through preliminary designs and working with companies on Lines A and B of Toulouse Metro.

More recently, in 2015 ARCADIS was entrusted with project management for the ‘Linéo 3’ bus rapid transit (BRT) and the extension of three ‘short’ stations to double the capacity of Line A of the Toulouse Metro – projects that are ongoing.

ARCADIS is also working on the 3rd line of Toulouse Metro with Tisséo-Collectivités via a framework agreement that has led it to identify certain technical solutions and/or route alternatives, and with Tisséo-Ingénierie via an environment PMC contract to carry out studies and compile regulatory documentation related to this iconic project.

METRO PROJECTS IN FRANCE

For the Grand Paris Express, SYSTRA is also carrying out a systems PMC assignment for Lines 15, 16 and 17, as well as several project management assignments for the Line 15 project. SYSTRA is also project manager for the extensions of Lines 4, 11, 12 and 14 of the Paris Metro, as well as for the extension of Line B of Lyon Metro.

ARCADIS is also involved in the Grand Paris Express, having won a global project management assistance contract as part of the Artémis partnership (comprising Artelia, Arcadis and BG) for lines 15, 16 and 17, as well as an infrastructure PMC assignment for the whole project and the project management for line 18.

ARCADIS is also working as project manager on Rennes Metro.

Train Protection Overlay System for Ashford International

SYSTRA and Scott Lister are currently developing options for a train protection system for Ashford International Station. This is an essential upgrade to enable the new Class 374 (e320) trains for the Eurostar service to stop at the station, with effect from 2018. Launched in 2015, the project is funded by Kent County Council and Network Rail with a grant from the European Commission.

SYSTRA has a long history of supporting HS1 and Eurostar with their infrastructure engineering requirements and have the knowledge and experience to extend this system to other parts of the network.

Ashford International is half-way between London and Folkestone. The construction of the high-speed line, HS1, led to the station being rebuilt in 1990 to accommodate international services. Today, Class 373 (e300) Eurostar trains stop on platforms 3 and 4, while other regional lines use platforms 1 and 2. The “Ashford International Spurs” line connects the high speed line with the station and conventional rail lines and the section forms part of the Network Rail network.

HS1 rolling stock currently use a TVM 430 (track-to-train transmission) cab signalling system, a form of in-cab system originally deployed in France and used on high-speed railway lines). The Ashford Spurs lines are adapted to Eurostar Class 373 trains, which are equipped with Automatic Warning System (AWS)/Train Protection Warning System (TPWS), which allows them to safely operate on the conventional rail network. The new Class 374 trains have an embedded system working with KVB system (Beacon to Vehicle Control) and European Train Control System (ETCS) and so are currently unable to stop at Ashford International Station, consequently are currently restricted to the high-speed network.

The purpose of the project is to maintain the Eurostar service at Ashford International following the introduction of the new Eurostar Class 374 trains. The key challenge is to develop a safe and effective train protection system that does not impact on the current timetable, minimises the impact on the existing signalling systems whilst delivering a safe and cost effective solution to the functional requirements.

This will ultimately give Eurostar more flexibility with their operational planning, and provide all future Eurostar services the ability to stop at Ashford International.