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Dubai, UAE - Leading the way in pioneering public
transportation initiatives, Emaar Properties PJSC has unveiled plans
for an advanced tram system for its AED 73 billion (US$20 billion)
Downtown Burj Dubai flagship project.
The 4.6 km Downtown Burj
Dubai Tram System tramway has a development value of AED 500 million,
and will be the first of its kind in Dubai by offering two synchronized
services within one tram transportation system.
The Downtown
Burj Dubai Tram System will be developed in line with RTA's Vision for
the Dubai Strategic Plan and has been designed to meet the commuting
needs of Downtown Burj Dubai's residents and visitors. It will provide
sustainable links for users to and from the development with Dubai
Metro in a timely, comfortable and affordable way. The system, thus,
creates an efficient transportation network to meet the demands of a
mixed-use neighbourhood comprising over 30,000 homes, residential
towers, nine world-class hotels and over 3.77 million sq ft of retail
space.
"Transportation is universally regarded as the top
mega-city infrastructure challenge, which also has the biggest impact
on any project's competitiveness," said Mr Mohamed Ali Alabbar,
Chairman, Emaar Properties. "Congestion costs have a critical bearing
on any project's overall growth as well as the environment. It is
imperative to have an efficient transportation infrastructure in place
to drive the progress of any mega-project."
He added: "Downtown
Burj Dubai is already the new downtown of Dubai - the soul of the city
- and is billed to be a global tourist attraction, driven by the
inbound traffic to Burj Dubai and The Dubai Mall. The Downtown Burj
Dubai Tram System has been conceptualised to address the huge demand
anticipated on the traffic infrastructure within the project. As a mass
transit means, the tram system is also environmentally viable and can
deliver sustainable solutions for the long-term."
Phase 1 of the
project will feature a 1.1 km twin track express link shuttle service
line operating between the Burj Place interchange station with Dubai
Metro and The Dubai Mall with an intermediate stop at a new hotel
development, currently being planned. The one-way journey time will be
2-3 minutes with 1-2 minutes between trams. It is scheduled to be
operational by end of 2009.
Phase 2 of the project will
feature a 4.6 km full loop, single track mono directional, clockwise,
commuter service operating from and to the Burj Place interchange
station with Dubai Metro. It will service all ten stations that network
the 500-acre development featuring some of the world's architectural
milestones such as Burj Dubai, the world's tallest building, and The
Dubai Mall, one of the world's largest shopping and entertainment
destinations. The complete one-way journey time will be approximately 8
minutes. This phase is scheduled to be fully operational in 2010.
The
line sections from Burj Place to Burj Dubai Boulevard will be supported
on a viaduct structure and on bridges spanning two key roads. Along the
boulevard, the line will be placed on a dedicated right-of-way in the
centre of the road. Normal traffic signals will be interlocked with the
Tram's Automatic Supervisory Systems for priority access across road
junctions. This is to ensure on-time arrival and departure schedules
and maximum safety conditions for trams and vehicles. Access to the
station platforms will be through soft slopes and other specific
amenities for ease of use of children and people with reduced mobility.
Designed to international rail industry standard gauge with
Euro style, the tram vehicles will feature bespoke exterior livery, low
level floors throughout for ease of passenger access, and on-board
facilities such as upholstered seating, provisions for special needs
people, luggage space, and passenger information & multimedia
displays. The express link shuttle service line will be a
fully-automated, driverless operation.
The fully equipped Tram
Depot housing the stabling and maintenance facilities is located at
Burj Place to ensure that apart from routine and preventative
maintenance activities, there can be a rapid response in attending to
any operational problems, if any. Located underground, the depot will
also house the Operations Control Centre (OCC) and staff offices.
The
Automatic Fare Collection systems will be designed to be entirely
compatible with RTA's Unified Automatic Card System using 'smart-cards'
known as 'epurse' which will ensure that passengers may enjoy the
convenience of seamless, integrated travel between the different modes
of transport being developed in Dubai. The smart cards will be
available at commercial outlets, petrol stations and vending machines.
Downtown
Burj Dubai is Emaar's flagship project and combines commercial,
residential, hotel, entertainment, shopping and leisure outlets in open
green spaces dotted with lakes and other water features. The community
has come to life with residences handed over to customers and
commercial offices functioning within Burj Dubai Square, a dedicated
commercial development. Three hotels - Al Manzil, Qamardeen and The
Palace, The Old Town, and Souk Al Bahar, a mall featuring Arabesque
architectural elements are already functional. Downtown Burj Dubai is
one of the most sought after residential and commercial locations in
Dubai with overwhelming response to all new project launches.
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