TOURS

Tour of the Integrated Transit Facilities in Lille

The Lille Metropole has a mixed mode public transport system, which is considered one of the most modern in the whole of France. It comprises buses, trams and a driverless metro system, all of which are operated under the Transpole name. The Lille Metro is a VAL system (vehicule automatique leger = light automated vehicle) that opened on May 16, 1983, becoming the first automatic metro line in the world. The metro system has two lines, with a total length of 45 km (28 mi) and 60 stations. The tram system consists of two interurban tram lines, connecting central Lille to the nearby communities of Roubaix and Tourcoing, and has 45 stops. 68 urban bus routes cover the metropolis, 8 of which reach into Belgium.

Lille is an important crossroads in the European high-speed rail network. It lies on the Eurostar line to London (1:20 hour journey). The French TGV network also puts it only 1 hour from Paris, 35 minutes from Brussels. Other major centers in France such as Marseille, Lyon, and Toulouse further away. Lille has two railway stations, which stand next door to one another: Lille-Europe station (Gare de Lille-Europe), which primarily serves high-speed trains and international services (Eurostar), and Lille-Flanders station (Gare de Lille-Flanders), which primarily serves lower speed regional trains and regional Belgian railways.

Tour attendees will depart the Gare du Nord in Paris aboard an SNCF TGV train to Lille.  During the trip the train will travel at a maximum speed of 300 KPH (186 MPH).  On board the train to Lille there will be a presentation about the transit facilities in Lille.  Once in Lille attendees will receive a tour of the train station before venturing out in Lille to see the other transit facilities.  In the station SNCF has space where a traveler can map out their journey from the train station to their final destination.  In Lille attendees will see how the regional and high-speed rail lines interfaces with the bus system and interactive facilities such as bike rentals.  Before departing Lille attendees will experience the automated metro system which was the first automated line of its type.  Upon arrival in Paris following the tour of the Lille facilities attendees will be able to explore Paris on their own while making the trip back to their hotels for the evening.

T-ZEN BRT in the Paris Region Tour
Tuesday November 19, 2013

1:45 - 5:00 p.m.

The group will visit the T-ZEN line 1 in the South of Paris (see map below). The tour will include the green depot, busways and stations.

Main features of T-ZEN

Contract facts

• Transit authority: Syndicat des Transports en Ile-de-France (STIF)
• Operator: Veolia Transdev

Key figures

• 6,000 passengers/day
• 1 line (3 more under development)
• 14.7 km including 9.6 km dedicated lines
• 14 stations
• 12 buses

High capacity & high comfort

• Latest features for better passenger experience
  • Automatic sliding doors, large luminous windows, wide gangways with comfortable seating
  • Full accessibility
  • video-surveillance
  • on-board real-time information screens
• High frequency levels
  • 6 min at peak hours; 10 min off-peak; 20 min late evening
• The T-Zen can carry 2,400 passengers/hour/direction
  • 35% more than a regular bus route

 

 

RATP Automation of Metro Line 1 Tour

1:45 - 5:00 p.m.

Automation of Metro Line 1

The Line 1 is the ioldest metro line in Paris (1900). It carries 750,000 passengers a day, with 6 - car trains and a headway of 95 seconds. 10 years ago, RATP engaged a feasibility study to test the possibility of turning this conventional line into a fully automated line. The work had to be carried out without impacting the on-going operation. The study demonstrated this was feasible and the project was approved and funded in 2004. The project calls for new trains, new control systems, and a new staff organization.

In November 2011, the first driverless trains were inaugurated and operated in a mixed traffic with conventional trains. By the end of 2012, the entire line will be automated.

A presentation will allow the participants to understand the organization of the project, the issues that were faced, and how the project team responded. The tour will take the participants to a number of renovated stations along the line, and to the Control Center located near the Bastille Station.

No special transportation will be provided for this tour. Participants will use the metro network. Meeting point will be indicated at a further date. The tour will be presented in English.

RATP Extension of Tramway Line 3

1:45 - 5:00 p.m.

Extension of Tramway Line 3

The Tramway T3 line runs along the south of Paris. It currently carries 140,000 pass/day over 8 km. This line has been designed to be environmentally friendly, with low floor trains, and priority has been given to pedestrian flows, bicycle lanes, trees and grass preservation. It has been highly appreciated by the public since its opening in 2006.

A 14 km extension is currently under construction, with opening planned by the end of 2012. Along with the extension, a new Maintenance Center has been constructed, able to service and park 50 trainsets. About the Maintenance Center, the city of Paris has installed a stadium (soccer fields, tennis, gymnastics). The opening of the extension comes with a reorganization of the operation: the line wil be operated into two independent sub-lines, with a transfer station at Porte de Vincennes.

The tour will take the participants to the existing line, to the extension, and to the Porty de Vincennes station. The participants will be able to understand the tight contraints imposed by the city environment, and will be able to visit the new Ladournegue Maintenance Center.

A bus will be provided for the visit, departing from the Conference site. The tour will be presented in English.