The idea is simple: a traveller at a station or on a train asks a question in their language, it is automatically translated into French for the staff, and their response is returned in the traveller’s language.
TradSNCF is a concentration of innovation, equipped with algorithms specially trained to best respond to the huge variety of situations encountered in stations.
The solution allows dialogue in 130 languages. It includes over 3,000 words or expressions related to the railway and transport domain in the most common languages, to avoid any misinterpretation. It is available on mobile devices, smartphones, and tablets.
Sopra Steria masterminding development
Sopra Steria Next supervised the programming, customisation, user experience, and ergonomic aspects of the solution's development, as well as its deployment, while ensuring the training of SNCF teams and change management.
The solution was developed in less than six months, thanks to a previous collaboration with France Travail and the creation of TradEmploi, a multilingual welcome tool for job seekers developed by Sopra Steria in Open Source.
To choose the best solution, SNCF conducted an experiment to compare TradSNCF's performance with other available tools on the market. This experiment took place during the Rugby World Cup, held in France in September and October 2023.
SNCF and Sopra Steria Next then launched a five-week pilot with over 280 beta testers across France, aiming to test the solution's performance and enrich its vocabulary for customer service and traveller information.
The project finally moved to the appropriation phase, organising physical or online meetings with station staff across France to support their adoption of the tool and train them in its use.
AI translation technologies are learning technologies. Their adoption requires specific support to build trust in the tool and make the most of the technology.
Rémi Weiller
Director, Transport Consultancy, Sopra Steria Next
New functionalities turbochange AI potential
With TradSNCF, customer service staff now have a translation solution that perfectly meets travellers' needs, assisting them before, during, and after their journey.
A series of enhancements and developments are currently being studied, including the development of a dedicated app (rather than a web app), the addition of an offline mode to support staff working in low-connectivity areas, automatic language recognition,
document scanning functionality, and the creation of a "favourite phrases" section.
Discussions are also underway to add new languages and continue improving accessibility and ergonomics.
The use of TradSNCF extends beyond interactions between station staff and travellers, as it is also used by community managers to respond to internet users and for contextual information displayed on station screens.
The solution has already been deployed at stations in key cities throughout France and will soon be deployed across the entire country to facilitate travel for all foreign tourists visiting the country each year.
A true mark of its commitment to welcoming visitors, TradSNCF perfectly illustrates SNCF's capacity for innovation in the service of travellers and will remain as a legacy of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.