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SHORT SOLUTION · OPERATIONAL RESPONSE
Key Information
| Title | Plan Canicule dans les Transports Régionaux ZOU! (Regional Public Transport Heatwave Response Plan) |
| Region and Country | Région Sud, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, France |
| Hazard | Extreme Heat |
| Action Type | Operational Response Protocol |
| Strategy or Guiding Policy | This action is documented through repeated operational activations and official regional communications. These include: ZOU ! Official Website |
| Plan Climat | Gardons une COP d’avance, Région Sud (Climate Plan: Let’s continue our COP-ahead approach, Region Sud ) |
Action Description
During declared heatwave periods, Region Sud activates its Plan Canicule in coordination with transport operators and SNCF Gares & Connexions (subsidiary of the French National Railway group tasked with developing, managing, and operating the railway) to ensure cooling technology and water is functioning and accessible. This coordination includes the surveillance and verification of air conditioning systems across the entire ZOU! regional transport system, where trains and coaches are air-conditioned, but receive enhanced monitoring during heatwave periods. Passenger-facing measures are also taken through: distribution of fans on regional trains; distribution of approximately 5,000 reusable water bottles at major stations; distribution of bottled water at Marseille Saint-Charles and Nice when vigilance level 3 is reached; free water vouchers redeemable at Relay station shops when temperatures exceed 35°C and major service disruptions occur; onboard water distribution during critical situations; and prevention messaging broadcast in stations and aboard trains. Lastly, Eleven stations are also equipped with drinking water fountains: Aix-en-Provence TGV, Aix-en-Provence Centre, Avignon Centre, Avignon TGV, Briançon, Cannes, Manosque, Marseille Saint-Charles, Nice Ville, Saint-Raphaël Valescure, and Toulon.
The plan is activated by regional government decision in coordination with Météo-France alert
levels, and mobilises all contracted transport operators simultaneously.
The activation of the plan is declared publicly (by the President of the Region) for each activation, giving it political visibility as a recurring regional commitment rather than an ad hoc emergency measure.
Impacts
Région Sud’s operational model was used to inform national-level responses when France’s national government subsequently developed a national Plan Vagues de Chaleur (Heat wave plan) for transport in 2023, citing the need for a coordinated approach.
Best Practice Principles
Coordinated Weather-Based Activation Framework: The establishment of a standardized temperature metric used as a trigger point for their emergency response plan in response to varying extreme weather events (i.e. heat). Varying agencies need a standardized protocol on their responsibilities and roles to ensure success of framework.