On the right track

One of the world's most advanced metro lines in the world and the first urban metro network in the Gulf's Arab states, the Dubai Metro is set to revolutionise the public transport system in the emirate. Serco's Ramadan Abdullah, Director of the Rail Operations Department, explains the unique challenges and reveals the crucial role of technology for the network.

Dubai's economy is based on finance, air transport, property development and tourism. However, the rapidly increasing population and high number of tourists is causing severe traffic congestion problems. Indeed, the population is forecast to grow by 6.4 percent annually to reach three million by 2017, and tourist numbers are projected to reach 15 million by 2010. The Dubai Municipality identified the need for a rail system to relieve growing motor vehicle traffic and support continuing urban development from research that started back in 1997 and came up with the Dubai Metro transport system.

When completed the Dubai Metro will have 70 kilometres of lines and 47 stations – including nine underground. Two lines are currently under construction – the Red and Green Lines – with three more in the pipeline. Fully integrated within the network operated by the Roads and Transport Authority, a body created in 2005, the masterplan includes 320 kilometres of metro lines by 2020 to cater to the expected 3.3 million population. There are also plans for 268 kilometres of light rail tracks to act as a feeder system for the metro.

Ground works for the metro system started in February 2006, centred around the 52.1 kilometre Red Line, with a contract worth US$12 billion awarded in the August of that year to start building the Green Line. The Red Line has 29 stations, four of which are underground, although only 10 were ready for the September opening date, and it runs from Rashidiva to Jebel Ali, passing the American University of Dubai. The entire length is expected to take an hour to travel, with an estimated 32,000 passengers an hour. The 22.5 kilometre Green Line will have 18 stations running from Al Ittihad Square to Rashuduya bus station through Deira City Centre and Dubai Airport Terminals 1 and 3.

Trains run on elevated viaducts with the design and aesthetics developed specifically to enhance the urban architecture along its corridor. In no location will tracks cross highways, ensuring full mode segregation. Although taxi, bus and water taxi feeder services are being structured to encourage end-to-end use of public transport, the RTA is also creating three park and ride sites – the largest with 6000 places. A third-rail power supply was chosen to avoid the visual intrusion of overhead line equipment, and all stations, elevated and underground, will feature platform screen doors for passenger safety and to facilitate air conditioning.

In June 2007, Serco (operator of the London Docklands Light Railway) was named as preferred bidder for initial consultation and the system's operation and maintenance. The UK£400 million five-year contract, relates to the first two lines as assigned by the RTA. Ramadan Abdulla, Director of the Rail Operations Department at Serco, believes  that the introduction of the Middle East's first automated rail transport system has had a positive impact on the emirate alongside the RTA's full transportation system for the public, including taxis, buses, marina and modern road network. "The metro has meant that the residents of Dubai can move around much more easily and safely," he explains. "In the near future – after opening the Red and Green Lines and the Tram Al Safooh network – the Dubai Metro will become the core public transportation system, as proved in the last three months with more than six million passengers using the service."

Before the launch the Dubai Municipality Public Transport department expected the metro to carry 1.2 million passengers on an average day, 27,000 passengers per hour for each line and 355 million passengers per year once both the Red and Green Lines were fully operational. It is also expected to provide transport for 12 percent of all trips within Dubai. And since Dubai inaugurated its metro network on September 9, 2009, the metro has served an estimated 57,000 passengers per day. Indeed, after the first month of operation – on a limited network – the actual rider-ship was 1,740, 578, equating to just under 60,000 passengers per day.

Technology

There is no doubt that cutting-edge technology had a huge role to play in ensuring that the metro system has been successful its operation to date. Technology has played a part in tightening security in particular, with over 3000 CCTV cameras deployed at stations, depots and on trains, forming the core of the Dubai Metro safety and security regimes. Images from each camera deployed are recorded 24 hours a day, seven days a week. "In addition to using CCTV and CCTV recording," explains Abdullah, "the Dubai Metro also has a comprehensive integrated access control systems to ensure that only approved staff and personnel and allowed to gain access to operationally sensitive areas, such as the control and power rooms."

Abdullah goes on to explain that a wide range of intruder detectors are deployed across the metro to detect and advise the control room staff if individuals have entered a restricted area. "All these systems are integrated into a state-of-the-art control and command system. This enables important information to flow as and when required whilst at the same time providing Senior Operations Management within the RTA Rail Agency, together with Dubai Police Senior Officers, with clear and concise information at all times. The heart of the Control and Command Centre is advanced communications, detector and video technology thereby ensuring that the Dubai Metro remains a safe and secure transport network for both staff and the public at all times."

Occupying 10,000m², the system's control centre is at Rashidiya depot. The project's signalling system is moving block and fully automated with in-cab signalling. The driverless, fully automated trains are fully air-conditioned and offer three classes of travel; the standard 'silver' class, a women and children only section, plus a first-class 'gold' section. The five-car sets are approximately 75 metre long, seating around 400 passengers, plus standing room.  

Despite the main control room in Rashidiya not being fully ready for inauguration on September 9, which meant the back-up room in Jebel Ali was used to run trains on the first day of operation, the first three moths of operation have run very smoothly in regards to operational aspect, says Abdullah. He explains that the rider-ship figures were excellent, particularly for the weekends and public holidays. "We faced a few tiny problems that were solved easily," he admits. "One big problem, we had was when the passengers pushed the emergency button and stopped the service in mid-track, disrupting the service for a long time. There was no actual emergency at the time but one passenger pushed the button by mistake. Otherwise, the operation in the first three months was reliable."

Abdullah reveals that the rest of the stations will be ready soon, despite recent disputes over contract payments, and will be launched throughout the second quarter of 2010, depending on the rider-ship demand and through the strategy that has been implemented by the RTA. "In addition, the Green Line will be ready in 2010 and we also predict the Green Line extension and Tram Al Safooh coming on line this year – in other words, there will be many projects that will be in operation this year, serving the residents of Dubai."

Under construction

With the Red and Green Lines currently under construction there are a number of other proposed lines on the drawing board:

• Purple Line: 49 kilometres long the proposed line will run from Dubai International Airport to Al Maktoum International Airport along Al Khail Road. Construction started in 2009 and it is due to be operational by 2012. It will have about eight stations on the route, three with check-in facilities.
• Blue Line: 47 kilometres long, the Blue Line will also run from Dubai International Airport to Al Maktoum International Airport, along Emirates Road. This was originally proposed with construction starting along with the Purple Line and completion in 2012, however, due to the recession it was taken under reconsideration and now has a deadline of 2014.
• Yellow Line: In April 2008 the RTA announced plans for a Yellow Line, a light rail operation, although details about where it would run have yet to be released.
• Red Line extension: An extension to the Red Line this will be 15.5 kilometres long and include six new stations, terminating at the border with Abu Dhabi. Dates for completion have yet to be announced.

Dubai Metro in numbers

Six million passengers in first three months
11,675 passengers per direction per hour on the Red Line
518 buses will be in operation by April 2010
87 trains in the metro system
75 kilometres in total
47 stations
9 underground stations
5-car trains
3 classes; Gold, Silver, Women and Childen
2 transfer stations

Full speed ahead

The RTA is also addressing transport issues through a renewal and expansion of the bus fleet, low-emission vehicles for taxi operations, and, most recently, the Al Safooh tram project. First announced in April 2008, the Al Safooh is yet another world first for Dubai, featuring an open tramway of all stops equipped with platform screen doors, allowing for full air-conditioning. Allowing for consistency with other RTA modes of transport, including bus shelters, air-conditioning adds to customer appeal in regular temperatures of around 40 degrees Celsius.

The full scheme is for 14 kilometres mainly following Al Safooh Road, linking Madinat Jumeirah and the Mall of the Emirates with Dubai Marina and the Jumeirah Beach Residence. Phase 1 will create a twin-track 10 kilometre line with 13 stops, with a standard platform length of 44 metres. Mainly at surface level, there will be some elevated track near the Marina. To encourage overall public transport use, interchange with Dubai Metro's Red Line will be provided at three points.

Phase 1 of the project is due to start commercial services during 2011. Phase 2 would add a further 14 trams and four kilometres of line with another six stops.

[Source: www.railway-technology.com]