Light-weight driverless smart-train and solar-powered rail bus system under study by Dubai RTA

Dubai is researching two cutting-edge transport options to expand its mass transit network: a solar-powered rail bus system and a lightweight, driverless smart train that resembles a 'platoon of pods'. During the Dubai International Project Management Forum (DIPMF) on Thursday, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) signed two memorandums of understanding (MoU) with foreign enterprises.

The signing of two Memorandums of Understanding "is part of RTA's strategic plans to engage in communication with premier companies and specialised entities to identify and adopt the most sophisticated and advanced practices," according to Abdul Mohsen Kalbat, CEO of RTA's Rail Agency. Two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed: one with UK-based Urban.Mass to create the Floc Duo Rail system, a double-track system that facilitates swift and efficient movement of transport units; and the other with US-based Rail Bus Inc. to develop a solar-powered rail bus system.

"Driverless, electric-powered pods moving on an elevated track that does not require earthworks, costly tunnels, and large stations" make up the Floc Duo Rail system, according to Urban.Mass. "The lines may be put in faster than a new road or even a conventional transportation system. Compared to light rail, its light infrastructure uses a lot less steel and concrete. A large portion of the energy needed for operation is supplied by its solar panels. Additionally, according to Urban. Mass on its website, "the driverless Floc Duo Rail trains are smartly designed to match capacity to demand, reducing unnecessary energy consumption."

The system may be expanded from a small neighbourhood or local region to a network spanning the entire city. The RTA states that "the system's double tracks enable transport units to move quickly and effectively within metropolitan areas." It runs on electricity and is a driverless system. To successfully satisfy the demands of the emirate, this system employs short units during low peak hours and long units during high peak periods.

The mass transit system is engineered to produce no carbon emissions, as the pods would run on a solar-powered bridge. "The system is best suited to transport 1,000–16,000 passengers in each direction per hour. Cities with 200,000–10 million people might find it appropriate, according to Urban.Mass.

The second Memorandum of Understanding, which was signed with US-based Rail Bus Inc., relates to the creation of a solar-powered rail bus system that will employ tiny, autonomous electric cars that travel on elevated lines.

According to Rail Bus Inc., "the system's lightweight and adaptable design allows it to be retrofitted into a broad range of environments and provide transportation that is both operationally and environmentally efficient."

"With the same length and capacity, the cost of the track infrastructure is reduced significantly by the lightweight vehicles and high operational flexibility, coming in at less than 20 percent of the total cost of a Metro system," the business continued.