Overview
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Read the articleAUTHORS
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François LACÔTE: Director of International Development, SNCF - Former Director of Material and Traction
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Marc PROVOOST: SNCF - Equipment and Traction Division - Electrical Equipment and Systems Department - Head of Electronics Division MTZZ
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Christian COURTOIS: SNCF - Engineering Department - Fixed electrical traction installations department - Section Manager IGTE-ZU11 General Studies
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Victor SABATÉ: CNAM engineer - Electrical expert, GEC Alsthom Transport Technical Department - Rail lecturer at École Supérieure des Techniques Aéronautiques et de Construction Automobile
INTRODUCTION
Over the past fifteen years, rail technology has undergone considerable development, giving the railroads a new lease of life. Thirty years ago, railways seemed doomed to decline, to be replaced by roads, aviation and new guided transport systems. Today, railways are unanimously recognized as the mode of transport that should assert itself in the next century, demonstrating that it is possible to reconcile development with rational use of our resources, protection of the environment and respect for mankind.
In the space of fifteen years, this fantastic development has enabled the TGV to go down in history, proving to the whole world with the world speed record of 515.3 km/h set on May 18, 1990, that wheel-rail technology has nothing to envy from other, more advanced systems.
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