UAE | Traffic and Transport

Dubai Metro finalises passenger evacuation plan for emergencies

A comprehensive plan has been finalised to evacuate passengers in case of an unexpected breakdown or emergencies in the Dubai Metro, Gulf News has learnt.

  • By Ashfaq Ahmed, Chief Reporter
  • Published: 22:37 June 20, 2009
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: Hadrian Hernandez/Gulf News
  • Emergency stairs are being constructed between Dubai Metro stations that connect Interchange 3 and Interchange 4 on Shaikh Zayed Road.

Dubai: A comprehensive plan has been finalised to evacuate passengers in case of an unexpected breakdown or emergencies in the Dubai Metro, Gulf News has learnt.

Read in-depth report on Dubai Metro

In case a train stops on its track due to an emergency, the priority will be to drive it manually to the nearest station. If this is not possible, passengers will be made to disembark from the train on the tracks.

The tracks - either elevated or in the tunnel - have walkways to enable passengers to walk up to the nearest evacuation point. The Dubai Metro tracks have evacuation points every 700 metres, according to international standards.

Passengers evacuating from an elevated track will use the stairs to come down. Electricity on the tracks will be automatically disconnected in case of an emergency to ensure that no one gets electrocuted.

The Metro's underground tunnels have ventilation fans and a system to extract gases.

Metro staff assigned on the trains and stations are trained as first responders to enable them to provide first aid before police and paramedics arrive in case of an emergency.

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A senior official at the Rail Agency of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said that the safety of passengers and the system is the top priority of the RTA."

The railway operation is monitored by an Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, which is a tested and proven technology around the world. In case a train breaks down, all the trains following it stop automatically - so no crashes," he explained.

The ATP is a system that monitors the movement of the trains and track situation. If there is any problem, trains will stop automatically.

The RTA is in the final stages of completing the Dh15.5-billion Dubai Metro project consisting of two lines. The Red Line is scheduled to be operational on September 9.

What are your main safety concerns? Do you know of any best practices followed by mass transit systems in other countries? How can evacuations during emergencies be made easy?

Your comments


Good to know that safety and security of passengers are the no. 1 priority of the authorities.
Faisal
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2009, 18:02

I have many times ridden on trains but never one so high up. If I have to leave the train in the summer time and walk to the exit will it be airconditioned, will there be someone there to help me?
Als Zeimer
Peshawar,Pakistan
Posted: June 21, 2009, 16:35

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