ALSTOM receives Elmer A. SPERRY Award for role in TGV
creation
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The award recognizes distinguished engineering contributions
which, when implemented in actual service, advance the art of
transportation whether by land, sea or air. It was presented to
the SNCF and to ALSTOM during the American Society of Mechanical
Engineer's (ASME) 2001 International Mechanical Engineering
Congress and Exposition, held in New York City Nov. 11 through
16.
'We at ALSTOM are delighted to have received the Sperry Award
along with our valued customer, the French National Railway,'
said Michel Moreau, President of ALSTOM’s Transport Sector.
'There is simply no greater honor in the realm of transportation
engineering. This award also recognizes the revolutionary nature
of the TGV, whose success has inspired other nations, including
America, to launch their own high-speed rail systems and thereby
provide passengers with a fast, safe and cost-effective
alternative to air and automotive travel.'
Between 1965 and 1981, SNCF and ALSTOM worked in different
capacities on the TGV rail system, which ushered in a dynamic new
era in passenger rail transportation in France and beyond. The
SNCF conceived of the initial system, while ALSTOM played a
leading role in constructing the initial TGV trains as well as
the even more advanced subsequent versions.
The TGV trains not only set speed records for transporting
passengers, but the network was also able to run profitable
trains through France's existing electrified railway system,
enabling France to avoid the enormous cost and environmental
impact of building new tracks and stations.
The first TGV was placed in service between Paris and
southeastern France in September 1981. It proved an enormous
business, economic and technical success, reaching 10 million
passengers in its first 10 months. Later-generation TGV's
progressed even further, increasing revenue speed from 270 km/h
(168 mpt) to 300 km/h (186 mph) at the same time increasing
passenger comfort.
The Sperry Award is unique, in that it is the only
transportation engineering honor selected jointly by six
professional engineering societies. In addition to the ASME, they
include the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers;
the Society of Automotive Engineers; the Society of Naval
Architechts and Marine Engineers; the American Institute of
Aeronautics and Astronautics; and the American Society of Civil
Engineers.
With more than 35 product lines and a presence in over 60
countries, ALSTOM Transport offers cutting-edge products and
services to four distinct types of customers: urban transit
authorities and operators; intercity passenger rail operators and
rolling stock owners; rail freight operators; and intercity
railway infrastructure owners. ALSTOM Transport, with 4.4 billion
euros in sales, has a 17% market share world-wide.
Press relations:
Ruth Pavans, tel. +33 (0)1 47 55 27 87
ruth.pavans@transport.alstom.com