Innovation Continues: The Future of French High-Speed Rail

Today, the TGV faces both challenges and opportunities. The original TGV Sud-Est trains, after 40 years of service, are being replaced by the TGV M (formerly Horizon), designed for the 2020s and beyond. These trains feature improved accessibility, better energy efficiency, and modularity that allows capacity to be adjusted based on demand.

The development process for the TGV M reflected how French innovation had evolved. The design team included not just engineers but sociologists studying passenger behavior, data scientists optimizing operations, and artists ensuring aesthetic excellence. Passengers participated through workshops and simulations, ensuring the train met real needs rather than imagined ones.

Diversity in the development team brought fresh perspectives. Aïssa Dermouche, who became head of SNCF's innovation lab, brought experience from the automotive industry and Silicon Valley. "We're not just building trains," she explained. "We're creating mobility ecosystems. The TGV M will be a platform for services we haven't imagined yet."