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[Photos] Dubai's Groundbreaking Catenary-Free Tram System

RailPhotos 58

The 6.5-mile Dubai tramway, which entered into service on November 11th, 2014 (two months ahead of schedule), links connects the Dubai metro and the Palm Jumeriah monorail, along Al Sufouh Road and Jumeirah Beach Road from the Mall of the Emirates to the Dubai Marina. The tram features many of Alstom’s technological innovations. It is the first tram in the world able to run in temperatures of up to 50 °C (122 °F) and to withstand harsh climate conditions.

Equipped with APS ground-level power supply, the system is also the first in the world to be catenary-free all along the line, enabling perfect integration of the tramway into the cityscape. The tram of Dubai has a distinctive diamond-shaped styling on the front end to better reflect the city’s image. The Dubai tramway offers high-end comfort to passengers. The line is equipped with air-conditioned stations and automatic platform screen doors, also a world fist. The Citadis tram of Dubai features three classes: “gold”, “silver” and “women & children” and is equipped with real-time passenger information and video broadcasting. 


The Dubai tramway line features 11 Alstom Citadis vehicles using catenary-free power supply operating at a maximum speed of 31 mph. The line's 11 stations are equipped with air conditioning and platform screen doors. The 6.5-mile line links 11 stations connects the Dubai metro and the Palm Jumeriah monorail, along Al Sufouh Road and Jumeirah Beach Road from the Mall of the Emirates to the Dubai Marina.

Photo: Alstom Transport/James Chakson

 

Dubai trams at the Dubai Marina station. Entrance to the train sets is automated to ensure perfect alignment with the doors.

Photo: Alstom Transport/L.Tissot

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Control center of the Dubai tram system receives feeds from 750 cameras along the line. It allows for supervision, communication and control of the tram service.

Photo: Alstom Transport/L.Tissot

Dubai Marina station. View of the APS (ground-level power supply) System.

Photo: Alstom Transport/L.Tissot

Tramway Dubai.

Photo: Alstom Transport/TOMA - C.Sasso

Dubai Tram.

Photo: Alstom Transport/Sylvie Curty

Dubai tram elevated view.

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

Signage at a station.

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

Dubai tram at the Jumeriah Beach station.

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

The tram offers three classes, differentiated by their colors and comfort: gold, silver and women & children (shown). The Gold class features wider seats covered with leather, wooden armrests and luggage racks.

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

View from inside the tram.

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

View from the tram line, which parallels the highway and the futuristic-looking Metro station.

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

The Dubai tram system in Dubai is the first 100-percent catenary-free tramway in the world. The APS power system has been adapted to cope with extreme weather conditions.

View of the highway and cityscape from the tramway.

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

Passengers entering station from tram.

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

For the safety, a catenary system is utilized on the tram in the maintenance depot grounds.

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

Dubai tram emerging from the wash.

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

Dubai tram inside the maintenance department Al Sufouh depot.

Photo: Alstom Transport/L.Tissot

Undercarriage of Dubai tram.

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

Press group along with RTA officials touring the maintenance facility.

Photo: Alstom Transport/F.McLoughlin

View from the 124th floor of the Burj Khalifa.

Photo: Alstom Transport/F.McLoughlin

Spices for sale.

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

Passengers inside the Dubai tram.

Photo: Alstom Transport/L.Tissot

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

Dubai tram arriving at JBR 1 station close to the Dubai Marina.

Photo: Alstom Transport/L.Tissot

Dubai tram on JBR 2 station close to the Marina District.

Photo: Alstom Transport/L.Tissot

Signing of the 13-year maintenance contract for the Al Safouh tram in Dubai.

Photo: Alstom Transport/RTA-Sylvain Hijazi

Visit of His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of Dubai's Road and Transport Authority (RTA).

Photo: Alstom Transport/Sylvie Curty

Vincent Prou, Managing Director
of the Gulf region for Alstom Transport, discusses the features of the tram station.

Dubai tram.

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

Dubai tram.

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

Brushes have been fitted to the trams to clear sand from the third rail and the switch boxes that power the live rail are air-conditioned.

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

The 6.5-mile line links 11 stations connects the Dubai metro and the Palm Jumeriah monorail, along Al Sufouh Road and Jumeirah Beach Road from the Mall of the Emirates to the Dubai Marina.

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

The stations are equipped with contact-less ticketing, touch screen information kiosks and video broadcasting for passenger information and advertising.

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

The Dubai line has 11 stations, which are equipped with air-conditioning and platform screen doors.

The Al Sufouh maintenance depot

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) headquarters.

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

An RTA director explains some ot the maintenance facility's functions.

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

Press tour of maintenance depot.

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

Dubai tram detail.

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

Dubai tram inside the maintenance department Al Sufouh depot.

Photo: Alstom Transport/L.Tissot

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

Dubai tram on lifts.

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

Some sightseeing highlights of Dubai include the Burj Khalifa, the "tallest building in the world."

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

View from the 124th floor of the Burj Khalifa.

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

Views from the spice souk, a tourist destination.

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

View from a hotel near the Burj Khalifa.

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

Local flavors include dates.

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

Sights from the beach.

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic

Photo: METRO Magazine/J.Starcic