Background

Investment in rail infrastructure, as well as in road, tramways and subways infrastructure, has risen dramatically in recent years in an environment of increased economic pressure, rising customer service expectation and complex regulatory compliance. This growth stems from worldwide economical growth, globalization, increasing urbanization, the renewal of ageing infrastructures, increasing trans-national connections or current limited networks in emerging markets.

These projects are either financed by ‘classical’ public tenders or, more likely, by Public Private Partnerships and concessions. Transportation companies are thus striving to enhance performance, reduce delays and improve safety in a tightly controlled cost environment.

From the preliminary study phase to the construction phase, the list of missions to be successfully conducted to implement a new rail system is long. Whether it be the consultation meetings with the population, or the seeking of impact minimization, or even the phasing of interventions, all the missions are critical. To be able to deliver the project on time and within budget is also critical, as well as to ensure the global control of the project. The control of all documents produced and information exchanged during the global project cycle is the first criteria leading to success.

The best way to preclude these workflow issues is to commit to document management, business process management and project collaboration solutions: software and web-based platforms that can either build upon or replace existing workplace systems, and enhance efficiency and compliance without sacrificing ease-of-use.

Sword CTSpace has established itself as a leader provider of document management, business process management and project collaboration solutions for the transportation industry. Our solutions enable transportation companies to reduce operating costs, improve efficiencies and minimise risk ensuring effective communication of key documents across the supply chain. The platform triggers the distribution of data and files using a structured, collective and centralized approach. As a result, key indicators for the companies using can be quickly accessed (full background information, easy tracking, action taken, etc). The data provided answers the question – who did what and when?

With strong costumer references, a core focus on railways, and global footprint and resources, Sword CTSpace is the first provider on Rail projects.

To find our more, download our brochure Transport - Reference projects

Find out more about your specific industry:

• Railways
• Tramways
• Subways
• Roads and motorways

RAILWAYS - working on over £10 billion worth of projects

The benefits of Sword CTSpace's solutions were immediate to the whole project team. At every stage on the project we can now save time and money through instant access to project information and we've already noticed a reduction in errors. Xavier GRUZ, Project Manager, RFF (France)

Railways projects are, by nature, ambitious and complex, involving a wide range of different players across territories. The challenge is to link up all these players and enable them to share all the data in real time. And one of the most difficult aspects of such a project is handling the thousands of documents involved.

Customers include RFF (French national network’s owner), with more than 10 billion euros of projects, including:

• Rhine-Rhône High-Speed Line (HSL)(amount: €2.506b; delivery: 2011)
• Brittany HSL (amount: €2.375b)
• GPSO HSL (South-Western projects - amount: about €3b)
• SEA HSL (South Europe Atlantic - 1st phase: €1.71 billion – delivery: 2013)

Projects conducted with Sword CTSpace solutions also include the refurbishment of “Forth Rail” bridge (Amount: € 100 million – Delivery: 2009), etc.

Find out more: 

• Case studies:  RFF
• Media coverage:  RFF testimonial in Eurailmag magazine

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TRAMWAYS working on over £600m worth of projects

During the Design phase, we decided to use Sword CTSpace's solution to facilitate the coordination of the different prime contractor partners. We exclusively used the platform until the subcontractors were selected. Then, we decided to continue using Sword CTSpace's solution for the current Building phase, as our coordination requirements become more important as more companies become involved in the project. Sword CTSpace's solution is a very flexible solution that perfectly fits our project requirements: it is simple to use for the design phase, yet has very powerful functionalities for the Building phase. Christian Poumeau, Project Manager, TCSP Pompadour, Coteba Développement

Projects conducted with Sword CTSpace solutions include:

• €346m Rabbat Tramway project, Morocco
• €298m Brest Tramway project, France (delivery: 2012)
• €185m Lyon Tramway T4, France (duration: 27 months]
• €100m Lyon Express Tramway line LESLYS, France (duration: 36 months)
• €70m Paris 'TSCP Pompadour' project (busway/tramway, France (delivery: year-end 2010)
• etc.

Find out more: 

• Press Releases:  London Trams

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SUBWAYS - working on over £10b worth of projects

In long term, London Underground is significantly better off using Sword CTSpace’s solution and the Document Controllers are very pleased with their enhanced ability to manage documents. Connect have also realised a 70% reduction in paper usage since implementation. Angus Wallis, Project Manager, London Underground

Projects conducted with Sword CTSpace solutions: Station modernisation and civil engineering works by Trans4m in UK, London Underground refurbishment (€11 billion), Extension of the B metro line of Lyon (2nd biggest subway network in France. Amount: €194 million – Delivery: 2013), Extension of the metro line number 12 in Paris [Amount: €295 million – Delivery: 2012], etc.

Find out more: 

• Case study:  London Underground  

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ROADS AND MOTORWAYS - working on over £2b worth of projects

Currently in the design phase, the A65 project involves a dozen companies participating on this complex project. Sword CTSpace solution has been very easily adopted by all Eiffage collaborators and other stakeholders of the project. It enables a high visibility on all project proposals, allows making quick decisions on the different technical proposals and ensures a good communication between all suppliers. Bruno BECKER, Technical Director, GIE (Economic Interest Grouping) A65 Pau-Langon, Eiffage

Projects conducted with Sword CTSpace solutions include:

• €1.2 billion A65 motorway in France by Eiffage and Sanef (delivery: end 2010)
• various roads, motorway and tunnel projects worth €714 million in the UK by Balfour Beatty (A3, A120 roads; M77, M25 motorways, etc.)
• East-West highway in Algeria (by Egis Route: €60 million)
• etc.

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