This Design is Different from the Fully-Enclosed Stations Currently in Use on the Red and Green Lines
The new Dubai Metro stations on the upcoming Blue Line will showcase a sleek, futuristic design. A model of one such station was recently displayed at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) stand during the Global Rail conference on Tuesday.
The station's design features a smooth, curved structure with the main platform enclosed by a large, oval-shaped design that arches over the tracks. This design is distinct from the fully-enclosed stations currently used on the Red and Green Lines.
The side structures, housing the exits on either side, feature a modern, symmetrical aesthetic with curved elements. A video presentation at the RTA stand illustrated how the Blue Line will serve some of Dubai's most densely populated areas, including Mirdiff, International City, and Academic City.
Key Features of the Blue Line
One of the line's most notable features is the 1,300-metre-long viaduct that will support the elevated railway as it crosses Dubai Creek, connecting Al Jaddaf with Dubai Festival City and Dubai Creek Harbour. This new connection is expected to significantly reduce travel time for commuters.
The 30km Blue Line, set to be completed in 2029, will serve as a key integration point between the existing Red and Green Lines. This development is part of the broader Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which aims to
create a '20-minute city'. The plan focuses on a transit-oriented approach, ensuring that 80 percent of essential services will be accessible to residents within a 20-minute journey.
Future of Rail Transport
The first Global Rail conference kicked off in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, bringing together over 150 senior representatives, including ministers, industry leaders, and stakeholders, to discuss the future of rail transport across the country.
The Innovation Hub at the conference showcased disruptive technologies, cutting-edge digital solutions, and groundbreaking advancements that are set to revolutionise mobility, transportation, and logistics sectors. One of the featured technologies was a smart maintenance system exhibited by researchers at the Technology Innovation Institute.
The system, which uses smart sensors mounted on various wagons, collects data to provide continuous insights into the track's condition. Based on this data, the system can detect maintenance needs and classify them into five categories based on the severity of issues.
“This is a physics-based data-driven model,” said Prabhakaran Balasubramanian, one of the researchers. “Using artificial intelligence, we can identify issues like sand contamination, track stiffness, and broken sleepers. Even if it is accurate just 50 percent of the time, it can significantly reduce maintenance costs.”
Additionally, the conference featured a Finance Pavilion, designed to connect financiers with infrastructure project developers. This dedicated space provided a platform for investors, project developers, and stakeholders to discuss financing opportunities, forge strategic partnerships, and unlock funding solutions to advance the transport sector.
Source: khaleejtimes.com