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Abu Dhabi public transport plan revealed

by Jamie Stewart on Feb 18, 2009

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The proposed low-carbon public transport network. (Image from Abu Dhabi DoT/ Steer Davies Gleave/ Mott MacDonald)
The proposed low-carbon public transport network. (Image from Abu Dhabi DoT/ Steer Davies Gleave/ Mott MacDonald)

Abu Dhabi has released detailed proposals for a low-carbon public transport network under its Plan Abu Dhabi 2030.

The plans, reviewed by Construction Week, include a metro system, regional rail, a comprehensive tram network, a ferry link to Dubai, and three zones of personal rapid transit.

UK-based transport and engineering consultancies Steer Davies Gleave and Mott MacDonald released the plans as part of a Surface Transport Master Plan (STMP), which the firms were jointly commissioned to produce in February 2008.

“This project will consist of short- and medium-term plans to transform Abu Dhabi’s transport into a world-class system,” said Steer Davies Gleave technical director Luis Willumsen.

As a result of the plans, the Department of Transport (DoT) said on Tuesday it has invited firms to submit tenders to act as consultants on a feasibility study and design of the metro network.

Proposals must be submitted to the DoT by April 13. Bidders are required to register with the Abu Dhabi DoT.

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FEATURED COMMENT

Now new transpotr system is very good and useful especially in Al ain.I have a request that rout number 990,we want a bu

  6 Comments

According to reports, the scope of the consultancy work includes the feasibility study, preliminary engineering, tender document preparation, award and formalisation for construction contracts, design review and administration of contracts during execution, defects liability, and maintenance and contract closure.

Steer Davies Gleave head of Middle East Martin Tillman told CW that the STMP final report, originally due this month, would be released in March.

“You can see the scale of the route that’s being planned and it highlights the route network,” Tillman said.

According to the STMP proposals, the metro line will run from Abu Dhabi International Airport, through Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, into Abu Dhabi City Centre.

Lines also pass through the Capital City, Mohammed Bin Zayed City, Mafraq, New Wathba, Al Falah and Masdar City developments, all of which are proposed or under construction.

The plans include 53 metro stations, three of which are based along an alternative route through Yas Island, along with regional rail links to Dubai, Al Ain and Madinat Zayed, with a possible rail link to Qatar.

The three areas proposed to be covered by personal rapid transit – a network of small vehicles that run non-stop on specially built guideways – are Masdar City, Capital City and Lulu Island.

The STMP itself falls under Plan Abu Dhabi 2030: Urban Structure Framework Plan, released in September 2007, which is intended to provide a clear direction of growth for Abu Dhabi City.

What do you think about the plans? Post your comments below.




Readers' Comments


Binil (Nov 19, 2009)
Al Ain
United Arab Emirates

New Bus stop
Now new transpotr system is very good and useful especially in Al ain.I have a request that rout number 990,we want a bus stop between jabal hafeet round about and Ain Al Faida.Now the bus stop is just next to the roundabout,we more than 250 people living there so please kindly rarrange the bus stop

Christian (Mar 2, 2009)
Hamburg

Personal Rapid Transit
This small prt-system covered area makes no sense! You should offer electric scouters for public use instead. When you want to change the world, then you should install a prt system, that covers all public transport needs. But at the moment I don't believe that there is any system that has solved all topics concerning safety and traffic organisation.

Molly (Feb 25, 2009)
Dubai
United Arab Emirates

Public transport
Public transport links in the UAE .... a much needed facility at last!!!!

Ollie Mikosza (Feb 20, 2009)
MISTER - transit system of the 21st century
PRT systems like MISTER are a far better solution to city transit problems than any metro, bus or rail systems. For the money that will be spent on a few metro lines, which will solve very little in terms of road congestion or transit comfort. For US$ 7 bn, which will only be enough to build 50-70 km of metro systen, Abu Dhabi could build a 1000 km network of MISTER system, which could move more people, closer to their destination, faster and in full comfort. What is surprising, that bold decisions like Masdar, are not matched by equaly bold decisions about the technologies to be employed. Only the "tested and proven" solutions are used, hence wasting the potential of real quantum leap. By the time when metro is finished in Abu Dhabi, it will be obsolete, as MISTER and other PRT systems will be built by that time in many cities around the World.

Jane (Feb 19, 2009)
public transport
Great news and the sooner it's built the better. It's about time public transport links were improved in the UAE. Maybe getting about in the future won't mean sitting in a traffic jam for half the day!

jerry schneider (Feb 19, 2009)
Personal Rapid Transit in Abu Dhabi
There is lots of information on global developments of PRT systems at: http://faculty.washington.edu/jbs/itrans


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Mott MacDonald
Product & Services: BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS
P.O. Box PO Box 47094,
Abu Dhabi,
United Arab Emirates


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