Dear students and professionals, in this article, we are sharing some quick facts about Driverless Construction Technology in Dubai Metro. This topic was highly demanded by the participants of our recent training program on construction management.
In order to support the economic growth in Dubai, the first urban railway network in the Gulf States, i.e. the Driverless Construction Technology in Dubai Metro, was designed. As we know, that Dubai has established its position as a leading hub for tourism, logistics, and finance. In the process of rapid growth, chronic traffic congestion became a serious problem. Therefore, to alleviate traffic congestion, in 2014, the Dubai Government planned to build an urban railway network. Construction of Dubai Metro is done by the Dubai Rapid Link Consortium (DURL), along with three other Japanese companies and one Turkish company.
The plan was to deliver a fully automated driverless railway system which includes all related engineering and construction. This rapid transit rail network consists of two lines, The Green Line and the Red Line of this rapid transit rail network are operational, and there is one more line which is being constructed. In the city center, these two lines run underground and elsewhere the run on the viaducts.
Signaling and operations control system
In order to enable high-density operation and to minimize the safest distance between trains, the Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) moving block system was chosen in Driverless Construction Technology in Dubai Metro.
Communications and integrated surveillance system
The communications and integrated surveillance system of the Dubai Metro uses optical data communication with a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) as well as an integrated communications network for the audio and video data through the train line, with a total length of around 500 km.
Power supply
The Driverless Construction Technology in Dubai Metro, uses the traction power feeding system uses a third rail which is powered at 750 V DC. This high voltage power is provided by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority at 132 kV, which is then converted into 33 kV at the Main Power Substation. After that it is transmitted to individual Traction Power Substations which are located along the railway lines and the power is converted into 750 V DC.
Track
The railway track of the Dubai Metro is a standard 1,435 mm gauge plinth track. In order to achieve a comfortable train ride with lesser vibration and noise, it uses a seamless long rail for all lines.
Complete and proposed lines
Line | Terminals |
| Red Line | Rashidiya – UAE Exchange |
| Green Line | Etisalat – Creek |
| Route 2020 (under construction) | Nakheel Harbour and Tower – Expo 2020 |
| Purple Line (proposed) | Dubai International Airport – Al Maktoum International Airport |
| Blue Line (proposed) | Dubai International Airport – Al Maktoum International Airport |
Other Important Facts
- Number of stations: 49 (29 on red line, 20 on green line) 7 for under construction line
- Daily ridership: 353,244 (2017)
- Annual ridership: 200,075,000
- System length: 74.6 km (46.4 mi)
- Track gauge: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge
- Electrification: Third rail, 750 V DC
Thanks for reading the article on Driverless Construction Technology in Dubai Metro, as mentioned above this article was requested by the participants of recent batch of construction management training program. Those who don’t know about our construction management training program, we would like to inform that we conduct construction management training programs with placement assistance, throughout the year. You can check the link https://apah.org.in/construction-management for more details.