Dubai Metro

From Wikipedia

The Dubai Metro will be a driverless, fully automated metro network under construction in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The network will have two third rail collection system powered lines that will both run underground in the city center and on elevated viaducts elsewhere on double tracks.

The first phase of the network is being built by Dubai Rapid Link (DURL) Consortium which comprises Japanese companies including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Corporation, Obayashi Corporation, Kajima Corporation and the Turkish company Yapi Merkezi.

The Dubai Metro will be operated by the Dubai Road and Transport Authority. The Dubai Metro system will be the longest fully automated rail system in the world. Completion of the first section of the system is projected for 2009.

Plans for the Dubai Metro began under the directive of Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum who expected Dubai's other projects to attract 15 million visitors by 2010. This combined with Dubai's rapidly growing population expected to reach 3 million by 2017 and severe traffic congestion necessitated the building of an urban rail system to provide additional capacity to public transportation, relieve motor traffic, and provide infrastructure for additional development.

In July 2005 a design and build Contract was awarded to a consortium known as Dubai Rail Link (DURL) that is made up of Japanese companies including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Corporation, Obayashi Corporation, Kajima Corporation and Yapi Merkezi of Turkey.

The first phase (worth AED 15.5 billion\ US$4.2 billion) covering 35-kilometers of the proposed network, including the Red Line between Salahuddin Road and the American University in Dubai and the Green Line from the Qussais 2 to Jeddaf 1, is to be completed by May 2009.

Extensions to both routes are included in the second phase, which is now expected to be functional by 2010.

Dubai Municipality Public Transport Department projects 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 lines are fully operational. Bus routes and stops will be organised around the backbone provided by the rail system.

When completed, Dubai Metro will have a total of 70 kilometres (43.5 miles) of lines, and 42 stations (including 9 underground stations). It is estimated that it will comprise 12 % of the total trips in Dubai. Taxi stations and park-and-ride facilities will be included in key Metro stations. Trained wardens will accompany passengers on the Dubai Metro system to help with emergencies.

Dubai Metro network
There are four lines which use 99 five-car trains each 75-meters long with seats for 400 passengers:

Red Line: 50-kilometre (31-mile) line with 35 stations from Jebel Ali Port, the American University in Dubai, through the city centre, and to the Airport Free Zone.

Green Line: 20-kilometre (12.4-mile) line with 22 stations from Festival City, through the city centre, Dubai International Airport Terminals 1 and 3, and to Rashidiya.

Blue Line: 47-kilometre line along Emirates Road, exact route currently unknown.

Purple Line: 49-kilometre line along Al Khail Road, meant to be an express route between Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central International Airport.