B-e -IT and R&D development in the Greater
Paris
As we have seen an investment in Paris Saclay is part of the
Greater Paris project. As mentioned in the Article 20 of «loi relative au
Grand Paris», the government has created a state-owned company
«Etablissement public» named Paris-Saclay144
According to the article 21, Paris-Saclay will have to help to
the development of higher education and also to create a R&D
cluster145. Indeed in this area are already present important
universities, and companies:
146Figure 15 : Current aerial picture
of Le plateau Paris-Saclay
The challenge for the region would be to attract more
companies and universities in this area, in order to create a French Silicon
Valley. By gathering the different R&D centers, with a high proximity to
companies with high added value, Paris-Saclay should become one of the most
advanced R&D areas in the world. This new area will strongly impact the
economic growth of the region because of the common researches of companies and
universities.
Regarding the R&D and IT context, the Greater Paris will
also be impacted by the creation of its new automatic public transport line.
Indeed, it is interesting to analyze what are the components needed, as such a
project to see a development of IT components in the region.
144 Assemblée Nationale, « Projet de Loi relatif au
Grand Paris », Décembre 2009, P.P 23.
145 Ibid, 2009, P.P. 24
146 Picture from Paris Saclay Vidéo.
http://www.campus-paris-saclay.fr/
Automatic transports use efficient new technologies of
localization. Nowadays the systems used in automatic line (line 14 of the
Paris' tube for example) have to be cheap and efficient enough to respond to
the security norms147.
These technologies are called «primary
localization». In Paris, the line 14 is equipped by a primary localization
system named «Météor». Every 720 milliseconds, the
train communicate its localization, which permits to operation center to check
its localization and its speed148.
Others technologies are also used in an automatic line, in
order to control the doors opening. Indeed regarding this issue, an optical
system is used.. The principle is to equip the platform with a luminous
receiving, and we place a laser on the train. When the train is positioned at
the exact place, it sends a signal to the platform and opens the
doors149.
Many others technologies are used in an automatic tube line, such
as inductive loops, radio beacons, infrared barriers, video analyze, or
telemetry.
New technologies will mainly impact the environment of the
Greater Paris. They are nowadays one of the major factors to build a
functioning urban area, to connect the different parts of a city. As we have
seen, an automatic public transport system uses complex technological systems
in order to increase the public transport system efficiency in term of security
and convenience for the users. This is why the simple creation of an automatic
tube around Paris can be seen as a major improvement of the region regarding
the new technologies.
Hypothesis 4: Greater Paris: Incubator of IT and R&D.
ICT can be used in order to resolve different issues. Galit
Cohen,, Ilan Salomon and Peter Nijkamp have characterized the ICT as
following:
«- Very dynamic technological changes, with rapid
penetration and adoption rates; - Decreasing costs for new equipment and
features;
- A rapidly increasing range of applications and penetration
in many realms of professional and personal life;
147 Project Scientifique collectif, « Automatisation d'une
ligne de métro », RATP, May 2003, P.P. 9
148 Project Scientifique collectif, « Automatisation d'une
ligne de métro », RATP, May 2003, P.P. 11
149 Ibid, 2003, P.P.18
- An intertwined institutional market place, with the private
sector acting in a decreasingly regulated environment; and
- A production and services package dependent on a range of
qualities of skilled human resources.»150
Indeed, according to the authors, the ICT are defined as
electronic technologies and services used to improve the process. They are used
by most of the businesses, in order to reduce human mistakes, and facilitating
the actions151.
The authors have defined two different policies objectives
form concerning ICT use, in an urban environment. The first one is to create
infrastructure (which correspond to the Greater Paris case), indeed the ICT
would help the governments to enhance the construction of different assets
(public transports, buildings). The second form would be to credit the city of
a strong international profile, which is still the case regarding to the Grand
Paris project152.
In order to obtain these results expected from ICT, three types
of policies have been identified.153 Indeed, «Direct»,
«Indirect» and «by the way» policies.
- Direct policies: The objective is to promote the use of the
ICT, and also to reach broader goals such as economic growth. An example of
direct policy approach would be an investment to support the research on ICT or
an improve of internet municipal (propose services on internet).
- Indirect policies: The indirect policies are the fact to
obtain some behavioral changes from the population through ICT use. Indeed,
these policies have the principle to communicate on social changes with ICT use
(an example would be computer classes at school).
- By the way policies: They are the results of actions not
directly correlated to the ICT, but which affect them. The example given is the
defense industry which is one of the main contributors to the ICT development
without being directly involved in.
As the authors mentioned, the distinction between direct and
indirect policies are not clear, both of
them can be classified according to
the context. Indeed, when the actions followed are directly ICT
150 Galit Cohen, Ilan Salomon and Peter Nijkamp,
«Information-communications technologies (ICT) and transport: does
knowledge underpin policy?, Telecommunication policy, 2002, P.P. 33
151 Ibid, 2002, P.P. 35
152 Ibid, 2002, P.P.36
153 Ibid, 2002, P.P.36
oriented (creation and development of new tools), then we
consider the actions as «direct policies»; «Indirect
policies» are considered when results expected need the use of
ICT154.
In our context, all of these policies can be considered.
Indeed, by developing the scientific park of Paris-Saclay, we can assume that
the investment done will support direct research on ICT (direct policy). This
investment will also permit the purchase of ICT tools in order to conduct
studies about other subjects (Indirect policy). We can also assume that this
investment will lead to a By the way policy. Indeed, Paris Saclay focuses on a
large number of topics, which can lead improve the ICT.
We can then understand the impact of R&D and IT on Grand
Paris through two factors: public transports and Paris Saclay. We can directly
consider the automatic public transport line as a «by the way»
policy, while Paris Saclay could as mentioned earlier considered as Direct,
Indirect and By the way policies to develop the ICT
First, we analyze the direct impact of new technologies use in
the public transport context. Indeed by analyzing the first automatic line
present in Paris we can already see the benefits of it : regular interval of 85
seconds for the automatic line, compare to 100-120 seconds for a manual one.
Also the speed of an automatic line is increased by 15-20 km/h (from 20-25 Km/h
to 40 km/h) compare to a manual line.155
Nevertheless, as every lines composing the Paris underground
network are different, it would be interesting to see what would be the impact
of a transformation of one line. Moreover this point is even more crucial as
the Automatic line of the Greater Paris will be connected to existing lines,
which will have to be adapted to fit in the new automatic transportation
system.
156The study run about the line 3 of Paris
highlights the benefits brought by the automation of a line thanks to its ICT.
Indeed, a simulation is done in order to compare what would be the gain of an
automatic line 3 rather than the existing manual one. The results are the
following:
154 Ibid, 2002, P.P.37
155 Project Scientifique collectif, « Automatisation d'une
ligne de métro », RATP, May 2003, P.P. 4
156 Project Scientifique collectif, « Automatisation d'une
ligne de métro », RATP, May 2003, P.P. 32
Figure 16 157: Comparison between Manual and
Automatic line.
N= Number of trains on the line M= Manual line
A= Automatic line Results: Arbitrary unity of time
Indeed these results show clearly the impact of the use of new
technologies on the underground network. When the number of train in
circulation on the line is low (N=30 in the study), we can see that the ICT
have not a real impact on the journey time needed by the trains to complete the
entire line as the time needed is slightly the same. Nevertheless, higher is
the number of trains, higher are the benefits received. Indeed, the study shows
a difference of 62 unities of time when N=40 (M=1203 and A=1141), the results
are even reaching a difference of 250 unities of time when
N=50158.
The transportation network of the Greater Paris project has
the main objective to reduce the time of the travelers, by connecting new
stations, and also by improving the existing infrastructures. This is why we
can assume that new technologies in the public transports mainly impact the
Grand Paris project, will permit to reach these expectations by responding
perfectly to the needs of the region: a reduction of time of the every-day
journeys.
The second aspect of the Grand Paris project concerning the
development of the new technologies is the investment in the scientific park of
Paris Saclay.
Donald S. Siegel, Paul Westhead and Mike Wright, have
transcribed in their work the three fundamental features of Science Park
(according to the United Kingdom Science Park Association): Their purpose is to
support the growth of R&D, create a link between large firms and small
high-tech companies and permit a direct link between universities and
companies159.
A study run by these three authors in the United Kingdom has
shown the impact for companies to be present on Science parks (by comparison to
companies not present on Science Park). According to this research, it is
claimed that science park firms generate more patents and new
products160. This study also shows that companies located on a
Science Park are more productive in research than companies
157 Ibid, RATP, May 2003, P.P.38 158Ibid, May 2003,
P.P. 38
159 Donald S. Siegel, Paul Westerhead, Mike Wright, «
Assessing the impact of university Science Parks on reaserch productivity :
exploratory firm-level evidence from the United Kingdom », International
Journal of Industrial Organization, March 2003, P.P. 3
off Science Park161. This statement confirms the
necessity and the benefits for the Greater Paris to invest in Paris-Saclay, as
the main objective is to reinforce its technological cluster.
Indeed, this investment of the French government aims to
promote a higher productivity in R&D but also to promote the creation of
new high-tech companies. Again, the development of Paris-Saclay will be really
useful to obtain this expected result. According to Roure and Keely (1989),
four factors are essential in the process of creation of New Technology-Based
Firms162:
«-The presence of "incubator" type companies in the
area;
- Attractive potential market, preferably, near;
- Universities with a strong interaction with firms;
-Government purchase contracts, research projects and
incentives or subsidies to innovation.»
As we can see, these four factors can directly link these
factors to Science Park advantages. Indeed, according to a study run by Peter
Lindelöf, Hans Löfsten, High-tech companies are mainly taking into
consideration the nearness to quality universities in order to decide the
location of their headquarter163.
The study also shows that Science Park permits to firms to
create a strong network. Indeed the proximity to important customers,
suppliers, researchers, other companies and high qualified workers, offered by
Science Park would permit to support the growth of the
companies164.
This strength of networking proposed by the Science Park to
the High-tech companies is also reflected by the value itself of the firms.
Indeed a study run by Joanne Hill and Joel L. Naroff has proven that companies
on Science Park have higher returns and lower risks for investors. The authors
have also shown a correlation between the importances of location for these
companies: they need to belong to a high-tech firm location in order to perform
better165.
160 Ibid, March 2003, P.P. 11
161 Ibid, March 2003, P.P.13
162 Roure, J. B. and R. H. Keely, «Comparison of Predicting
Factors of Successful High Growth Technological Ventures in Europe and
U.S.A.», 1989 sourced by Peter Lindelöf, Hans Löfsten,
«Science Park Location and New Technology-Based Firm in Sweden :
Implications and Performance», Small Business Economics, Vol. 20,
N°3, May 2003, P.P. 252
163 Peter Lindelöf, Hans Löfsten, «Science Park
Location and New Technology-Based Firm in Sweden : Implications and
Performance», Small Business Economics, Vol. 20, N°3, May 2003, P.P.
253
164 Ibid, May 2003, 253-254
165 Joanne Hill and Joel L. Naroff, «The Effect of Location
on the performance of High Technology Firms», Financial Management, Vol.
13, N°1, Spring 1984, P.P. 36
To conclude hypothesis 4, yes we can see that the Greater
Paris project will impact the new technologies in the region. Indeed, by
developing an automatic public transport network, the region will increase its
ITC use. Also by investing in a new the Science Park Paris Saclay, the
government will generate the development of new products, new patents. Also as
we have seen, the Science Park leads to a better productivity for the companies
and the research centers present on it. Science Park, also presents financial
opportunities for companies, as they can be considered as more reliable by
investors.
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