A lightweight smart train with the feature of driverless driving will look like a ‘platoon of pods’ and a rail bus system powered by solar light are the two unique solutions for transportation currently the roads and transport authority Dubai is keeping an eye on to add to their mass network of transit.

On Thursday, January 18, the Roads and Transport Authority, RTA two different memoranda of understanding or MoU with various international companies while the Dubai International Project Management Forum or DIPMF was ongoing.

The CEO of the Rail Agency at Roads and Transport Authority, Abdul Mohsen Kalbat mentioned This MoU is a part of RTA’s strategic moves to engage more in communication with prime companies and specific entities to recognise and adopt the most classy and modern practices.

The very first MoU signed by RTA was with Urban. Mass based in the United Kingdom to develop the rail system of Floc Duo, a system with a double track that allows the transporting units to relocate efficiently and quickly. The second agreement was signed between RTA and Rail Bus Inc. based in the United States to form a rail bus system that is powered by solar lights.

Driverless Trains

As per the statement shared by  Urban. Mass the transportation system of Floc Duo is a unique combination of electric-powered, driverless pods moving through an upraised track that requires absolutely zero earthworks, huge stations, or costly tunnels. 

The manufacturing company, Urban. Mass noted on their official website, “The lines can be installed more swiftly than building a traditional transit system or even a new road. Its light infrastructure consumes far less concrete and steel than light rail. Its solar panels provide much of the energy required for operation. And the driverless Floc Duo Rail trains are smart-designed to match capacity to demand, reducing unnecessary energy consumption.” 

The system of Floc Duo Rail can be installed in almost every location such as from a narrow local area or neighbourhood to a wider networking site of the city.

According to the Roads and Transport Authority, “the system features double tracks that allow transportation units to move swiftly and efficiently within urban areas. It is a driverless system and uses electrical power. This system uses short units during low peak periods and long units during high peak periods to meet the emirate’s needs effectively.”

Additionally, the solution of mass transportation is specially designed for zero emission of carbon as the pods will be moving through a bridge like structure that will be outfitted with solar panels.

The transportation system is ideally designed to carry riders between 1,000 and 16,000 in every hour in one particular direction. It is equally suitable for cities that have a population from 200,000 to 10 million said Urban. Mass.

The founder and CEO of Urban. Mass, Ricky Sandhu said “the partnership between Urban.Mass and RTA in Dubai epitomises the robust mutual commitment of UK and the UAE to combat climate change. The partnership is set to pave the way for sustainable mass transit solutions through innovative technology, transforming urban mobility across the city.”

Towards a greener future

The second MoU that has been signed between RTA and Rail Bus Inc. based in the US is to develop a rail bus transportation system powered by Solar energy. This transportation system will involve small and driverless vehicles that can even run through elevated racks.

Rail Bus Inc. further added, “The lightweight and flexible nature of the system enables it to be retrofitted into a broad range of environments and provide transportation that is environmentally-friendly and operationally-efficient,” noted Rail Bus Inc.“The light weight vehicles and high flexibility in operations reduces the cost of the tracks infrastructure significantly, reaching less than 20 percent of the cost of a Metro system that has the same length and capacity.”

According to the statement shared by the CEO of Rail Bus Inc., Hatim Ibrahim, this innovative partnership between the Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai and Rail Bus Inc. has formed with the aim of setting a new example in sustainable mobility modified to the innovative needs of Dubai. The partnership also reflects a jump over towards a greener and more sustainable future ahead.