The GSM-R system, which went into effect in 2016, supports SNCF Réseau’s main priorities: digitalising information to facilitate real-time communication with trains by transmitting digital data while improving the quality of verbal communications between drivers, traffic operators, and traffic regulators. This system also warns of danger by allowing a train to issue a radio alert to stop other trains located in the same area. In addition to improving voice quality compared to the old analogue system from the 1970s, this system is monitored in real-time, guaranteeing excellent service availability.
GSM-R is a modern digital system that creates a mobile communications network for railway personnel. It replaces the now obsolete analogue track-to-train system with a standard European system for:
Communication between drivers and traffic regulators
GSM-R issues radio alerts to all trains in a given sector
Communicates signalling data between on-board and track-side systems
Managing the priorities of calls
High network availability
This technology facilitates network communications by optimising rail traffic, which in turn improves the safety of operations on France’s national rail network. GSM-R has contributed to the creation of a European rail system by offering a standard communication system used by all rail networks, replacing the 35 different radio systems that were used.
2,200 radio sites
12,000 km of track equipped
3,600 BTS sites operated and maintained
29,000 SIM cards installed
1,800 km of fibre optic network
€30 million, including 80% from the private sector
In May 2020, the project was refinanced for the mutual benefit of SYNERAIL and SNCF Réseau
The GSM-R project shows how Public-Private Partnership models can be used to modernise or renovate existing infrastructure. For the SYNERAIL project, the use of a Private-Public Partnership model made it possible to identify and isolate network renovation costs and ensure allocation of a long-term budget to harmonise communication systems throughout Europe and speed up the deployment of a standardised high-performance system on France’s rail network.
Beginning in the design stage, SYNERAIL decided to use reliable and resistant materials that had already been tested on railway networks. Innovations were incorporated from the design phase until deployment, with effective bespoke solutions: sharing existing sites and infrastructures and conducting thermal analyses to improve energy efficiency. SYNERAIL committed to outsourcing 5% of the total project costs to small and medium-sized businesses and artisans.
Hervé Le Caignec graduated from École Spéciale des Travaux Publics (TP86) and started his career building and maintaining road infrastructure.
He then oversaw the development and operation of major infrastructure through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) both in France and abroad. He spent 14 years at the VINCI Group, 4 years at SNCF, and 10 years at the Caisse des Dépôts Group. In March 2017, he was named Chairman of LISEA, the concession holder for the Tours-Bordeaux high-speed line.
A graduate of École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées, Gilles managed the Île-de-France regional branch for Egis Aménagement (transport and mobility engineering, urban development, etc.). He then served as Managing Director of the European Economic Interest Grouping that manages and operates the Mont Blanc Tunnel for ATMB and the Italian Mont Blanc Tunnel Company (SITMB).
He became the new Managing Director of Oc’Via on 1 May 2019.