Dubai
Launches World Driverless Train System
Dubai
has launched the world's longest automated
driverless train system built in four years.
Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the
Dubai Roads and Transport Authority RTA Mattar Al
Tayer, said the completion of such a massive project
in a short period of time speaks volumes about
Dubai's economic strength and its commitment to the
development of the city regardless of the global
economic crisis.
Rear Feat
Al Tayer said it took some 30,000 workers, 155
contractors to complete and launch the project on
schedule.
He said that the RTA revised the original design of
the Metro by 50 to 60 per cent to incorporate the
changing development trends in the city, and as a
result the cost increased from Dh15.5 to Dh28
billion.
Al Tayer added they hope to carry 4.5 million
passengers every day by 2020.
Value Added
Al Tayer noted that with the construction of the
metro, property and land prices around Metro
stations and tracks have increased by 30 per cent.
Studies show that the Metro would reduce traffic
congestion by 17 per cent out of a total of 30 to 35
per cent, which is aimed to be reduced by an
integrated public transport network including buses
and water transport.
The Metro would also help Dubai save 5 billion
Dirham a year, which is lost due to traffic jams
when completed in 2012 it would become the world’s
largest automated driverless metro system.
Gulf news/ Qasim/ Funke