5 transportation systems coming to the UAE
From sky pods to driverless cars, a rail connecting all seven emirates and more…
We have a number of upcoming megaprojects to look forward to in the UAE, from brilliant new hotel openings to cool historic museums, malls and much more. But, there are also plenty of new transportation systems coming to the UAE that we can’t wait for.
Now, as we already know, the UAE is home to a number of public transportation systems including water taxis, a metro, a tram system and a monorail, but soon it will be home to much more. Take a look at the list below:
Abu Dhabi
Etihad Rail
One of its most ambitious travel projects is the 1200km long Etihad Rail network.
The massive Dhs50 billion 1,200km long project began back in 2009 and will stitch the seven emirates together but has plans for future ambitions that extend beyond our borders into the rest of the GCC. The rail system will transport both cargo and passengers.
Major milestones reached this year include the linking of Dubai and Abu Dhabi tracks in March, construction began on a bridge over the Sheikh Zayed Road in June and in more recent news, the first of the locomotives arrived just last month.
We are following all news updates from this project and posting important milestones here.
Dubai
Upcoming ropeway system
In 2021, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Zhong Tang Sky Railway Group – a leading company in the suspended railway firm with the aims of bringing a futuristic suspended transport network to Dubai.
The signing of the Memorandum is part of RTA’s ongoing efforts to increase public transportation trips to 26 per cent by 2030 with the ultimate objective being to rank Dubai as the best place for living and business, a destination for visitors, and the smartest and happiest city in the world.
Hyperloop
The journey from Dubai and Abu Dhabi can take up two hours by road. With the arrival of the Hyperloop though, passengers can reach Abu Dhabi from Dubai in just 12 minutes.
The train can reach speeds of up to 1000 km per hour which is three times faster than high-speed rail and more than 10 times faster than traditional rail. An animated video shared by Virgin Hyperloop in January 2022 shows exactly what it will be like to ride the super-fast transport.
Driverless taxis
In 2021, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai announced the signing of an agreement between Road and Transport Authority (RTA) and Cruise, a leading US-based autonomous vehicle company that will operate self-driving taxis and ride-hailing services in the emirate. The agreement supports Dubai’s 2030 vision for self-driving technology. It also makes Dubai the first non-US city in the world where Cruise will commercially operate these vehicles.
These self-driving vehicles are expected to significantly improve road safety levels as over 90 per cent of accidents are due to human errors. The vehicles are all-electric, environmentally friendly and capable of serving a wide range of clients from different community segments, including seniors and people of determination.
In July this year, Dubai streets were being mapped to prepare for futuristic driverless cars. The vehicles will be trialled at the end of the year with an aim for an official launch targeting the end of 2023.
Sharjah
Sky pods
Sharjah’s high-speed electric sky pods will not only transport passengers between emirates but also cargo at speeds ranging from 150kph to 500kph.
SkyWays or Unicars as it is named is a hanging transport system made up of individual unicars connected by a long cable suspended above the ground.
At the moment the unicars are being tested in The Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP). After successful testing, Sharjah will announce the construction of its routes within Sharjah city with further plans for the pods to connect with other emirates.
Images: Social/Supplied
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