Dubai’s futuristic tram: SYSTRA’s role in a world-first transport system

Pioneering sustainable transport in Dubai

SYSTRA has participated since the middle of the 2000s in the development of the tramway in the Emirate of Dubai. Pioneers in this transport mode in the region, the Emirates are pursuing this development with a level of on-board technology seen nowhere else on the planet.

The Dubai Tram serves the Al Sufouh and Dubai Marina districts situated in the west of the Emirate, where touristic and residential development took off in a big way at the start of the 21st century. In order to reduce car traffic and offer a sustainable transport mode to inhabitants, the tram was chosen.

World-first technologies for a modern tramway

SYSTRA was the project manager from the initial studies in 2006 and met the requirements of the authorities by proposing a tramway featuring a host of world firsts: a full ground-powered line along the entire route, airconditioned stations with platform screen doors, command systems and Automatic Train Protection and Operation (ATP/ATO), unprecedented technologies for such a transport mode.

A two-phase project to expand mobility

Inaugurated on 11th November 2014 in its first phase (9.5km and 11 stations), linking Al Sufouh to the Dubai Marina, the tramway project has entered the second phase of its development in 2016. This extension should add 9 stations and 6,5km to the existing line, that will reach new major locations in Dubai such as Madinat Jumerirah, the Burj Dubai tower and even the Mall of Emirates.

SYSTRA has been awarded the concept and preliminary design studies of this tram extension, in partnership with AECOM.