3. General operating principles

3.1 General rules in France

Tramways are railway vehicles used on public roads. Due to their programmed extinction after 1945, safety regulations for French urban tramways had not evolved since the 1942 decree, which had gradually become completely outdated and unsuited to current conditions.

Today, the various aspects of safety on this means of transport are the responsibility of the Land Transport Directorate, which, on behalf of the State, entrusts various missions to one of its national departments, the Service technique des remontées mécaniques et des transports guidés STRMTG. Originally set up to monitor safety on rack railroads, funicular railways, cable cars, chairlifts, etc., the STRMTG is a notified body issuing certificates of conformity to the requirements...