RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Thanks to the close cooperation between companies, public authorities, research centers, railway companies and universities, the region is now Europe’s top center for research and training inland transport.

Over 20 research and training institutions
Over 1,800 public researchers
Over 2,000 students

Major fields of competences

Electronic and data-processing systems, active safety, telecommunication, navigation, perception, transport system management

Structures, braking, crash, fatigue, reliability, behaviour with fire, braking

Energetics, environment, comfort-energy management, electromagnetic compatibility (CEM), aerodynamics, comfort

GRRT: Regional Research Organization for Transportation

GRRT was created in 1983 and is specialized in automated transportation systems and safety issues.

The creation of the GRRT has given birth to:

CREPIM
CRITT M2A
C3T

Specialized laboratories

INRETS (French National Institute for Transportation and Safety Research) 
ONERA (mechanics and aerodynamics)
…

i-Trans, the railway industry at the heart of innovative and sustainable transport

80 companies
15,000 jobs
23 research and training institutions
1,800 public researchers
Over 2,000 students

The i-Trans competitiveness cluster, operating under the aegis of the Transports Terrestres Promotion Northern France association, brings together industry leaders and key players in research and education relating to rail, automotive, intermodal logistics and intelligent transport systems and services in Northern France.

Together, they aim to build international recognition for Northern France as a unique focus of excellence and innovation in land transport.

As a leading European region in the railway, automotive and logistics sectors, Northern France has indeed all the major assets required to design tomorrow’s transport systems and services and meet the needs of emerging markets.

I-Trans aims at supporting all projects that could contribute to the evolution of the transport systems of the future as regards the following four issues:

The leading railway activities of the region are located in Lille and Valenciennes area.