If you have ever wanted to be a train driver then Dubai is not the city for you as each of Dubai Metro's 87 trains, which will transport 897 passengers, will run without a driver.
Dubai Metro's five-carriage trains will be driven automatically from a centrally located control room.
Put away your fears, says Alcatel, the Canadian-based firm contracted to provide the computerised control system that will drive the light-rail trains.
In a statement Alcatel said it offers “advanced railway solutions that ensure safe, reliable and comfortable transportation of passengers.''
Alcatel has been contracted for $250 million (Dh918 million) to “supply, integrate and deploy its proven driverless train control and telecommunication systems for the Dubai Metro.
“Dubai Municipality will benefit from low operating and maintenance costs,'' states the transport systems firm. Similar driverless Alcatel systems are already in use in light rail systems in New York City, Hong Kong, Vancouver, Ankara and Kuala Lumpur.
Fast Facts
- Each train will be equipped with a control system which features a digital and wireless network, on-board surveillance, passenger information and a public address system.
- The system will be installed in trains provided by Japanese firm Kinki Sharyo, selected by the Roads and Transport Authority to custom build trains that will be roughly 85 metres long and contain five cars.
- The trains will be given their traction power of 750 volts through an electrically-charged system that does not use fossil fuels and does not disperse emissions.
- The RTA states that “no intrusive overhead contact lines will be needed'' because electricity will be delivered from below.
- The trains will use steel wheels run on a special double track for full guidance and support.
- Passengers will be treated to “extensive window panels, providing stunning views'' of the cityscape from elevated viaducts.
- The train cars will be air conditioned and seats will be designed for greater comfort.
The Metro System
- Largest transport infrastructure project ever undertaken by Dubai government at an initial cost of Dh15.5 billion.
- The Red Line will be the most advanced and longest driverless line in the world. At 52.1km the Red Line is expected to be completed by September 9, 2009.
- In total, the Metro System will include 47 stations, 12.6km of underground tunnels, will travel along 58.7km of viaducts.
- There will be two depots on the Red Line. The main depot at Rashidiya and another at Jebel Ali. The Green Line will have one main depot at Al Qusais.
- The metro is expected to carry 1.2 million passengers daily in the first stages and when completed 650 million passengers a year.
- It is estimated that it will take 9,000 workers to build the system.
- A boring machine assembled in Japan named Al Bugeisha after a desert rodent is digging its way underneath Dubai Creek to create a 1.6km tunnel to link Deira with Bur Dubai.
Red Line
- The line runs between Rashidiya and Jebel Ali
Covering a distance of 52.1km. - Most of the line will be built above ground except between Port Saeed and BurJuman, where the line is constructed underground and under Dubai Creek.
- It will take travellers roughly 1 hour and 11 minutes to reach Jebel Ali from Rashidiya.
- There will be 25 elevated stations and four underground stations.
Green Line
- Will run between Al Qusais and Al Jedaff Length is about 22.5km.
- The line will comprise a stretch of rail 14.6km in length above-ground consisting of 12 stations and 7.6km of underground railway that includes six underground stations, excluding Union Square and BurJuman.
- It will take 26 minutes to travel the distance it covers
Train Specs
- Each train will measure 3878.9mm in height.
- The width will be 2780mm.
- At roughly 85 metres long, the trains will contain five 18 metre long carriages.
- The trains will be propelled by electric traction, a technology with no harmful emissions to the environment. The trains will run on an electrified 750 volts composite third rail.
- Trains will travel at a maximum of 100km/h.
- Each train will have separate compartments including a gold car with a section for women and children, and four silver cars.
- The time between trains will be roughly 90 seconds.
- Automatic train controls will be used 897 passenger capacity per train.
- Rail gauge is 1.435 metres, the standard distance.
- The high-tech driverless train system will be operated from a centralised operations control centre.
Alcatel System Features
- A digital and wireless network and onboard video surveillance.
- Passenger information will be displayed via onboard screens.
- A public address system.
- Access control as well as a fully integrated control centre.
