On the right track

With the launch of the first driverless metro system in the Gulf, Dubai has achieved the world's longest automated driverless train system, built in just four years.

"The completion of such a massive project in a short period of time speaks volumes about Dubai's economic strength and its commitment towards development of the city regardless of the global economic crisis," said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched the Dubai Metro on 09/09/09.

The aim of the Metro is to provide an integrated public transport system to ease congestion, save passenger travelling time, reduce traffic pollution, improve mobility within the city, provide a swift connection to Dubai International Airport and important business and commercial hubs, and deliver a modern, comfortable, reliable and safe mode of commuting.

"It took some 30,000 workers, five big contractors and 150 contractors to make it possible to launch the project on schedule," Al Tayer said.

The Metro, which cost Dh28 billion, is set to provide transport to all strategic areas of the city, and develop the network to branch out into the suburbs with future extensions including Al Sufouh Tram, which will be ready in 2012. The future lines under study are the Purple and the Blue Lines to extend the network.

Feasibility study

The seeds of the project were sown in 1992, when a feasibility study known as R400 concluded that Dubai could no longer rely solely on road expansion to cope with its escalating traffic demands.

The findings recommended the need for a transit system to help ease congestion. As part of its modernity drive, vision and concerns for the environment due to rapid development, the Dubai government commissioned studies to evaluate the most efficient and cost-effective solutions to combat traffic congestion, which resulted in the development of the Metro.

Construction consortium

The contract to build the Metro was awarded in July 2005 to a consortium called Dubai Urban Rapid Link (DURL). The consortium comprises Japanese companies including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Corporation, Obayashi Corporation, Kajima Corporation and Yapi Markezi of Turkey, supervised by consultants Systra and Parsons of France and the United States, respectively.

Although only ten out of 29 stations were opened on the Red Line of the Metro at the time of launching on September 9, it has received a tremendous response from commuters as on average more than 57,000 people are using it every day.

A journey planner, named ‘Wojhati', is proving popular with travellers.

The Metro will be a catalyst for improving real estate values, economic development and urban regeneration along its main route and arteries. It will create an additional source of employment opportunities for both the local population as well as the region, in addition to boosting the tourism sector.

Way forward

Once fully operational by the end of 2010, the Metro will also help Dubai save Dh5 billion which is lost due to traffic jams every year.

"It is a way forward for sustainable development and provides an easy link between businesses," said Al Tayer.

One of the key benefits of the project is that the RTA has developed expertise that can be used in building the Metro networks in other emirates and even other countries.

"We hope to carry 4.5 million passengers every day in our public transport by 2020," Al Tayer said.