Abu Dhabi will soon welcome a tram network which will operate from Yas Island and connect to Zayed International Airport.
Abu Dhabi Transport Company (ADT) unveiled the plans on the opening day of the Global Rail Transport Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference which kicked off on Tuesday.
The Abu Dhabi Light Rail Transit (LRT) was approved by the Department of Municipalities and Transport and will consist of three phases, according to ADT. While the official timeline has not been confirmed, the base phase construction will be the first to be launched.
The base phase will start at Yas Gateway Park and connect Yas Island attractions like Ferrari World, Yas Marina Circuit and Yas Bay before crossing to the mainland and branching off towards Zayed International Airport, Etihad Plaza and Al Raha Mall, according to an information pack seen by The National.
The trams will reach speeds of 100kph and will have the capacity to carry up to 6,630 passengers per hour, according to ADT's website.
A map displayed at the conference appeared to show the tram network connecting with Disneyland Abu Dhabi on Yas Island, although officials have not yet confirmed the location of the attraction.
Abu Dhabi Airports is “working feverishly” to get the airport better connected with the city and other Emirates through public transportation, said Cheryl Chan, strategic adviser in planning and Development at Abu Dhabi Airports.
“We wanted to link up the airport with the rest of Abu Dhabi and have ADT provide that connectivity for us,” she said. “Right now in terms of public transportation, there are only a few bus lines that come from downtown.”
Around the loop
ADT also revealed plans for an Urbanloop project, with trials beginning on Reem Island in the next six months. The Urbanloop is a French autonomous personal rapid transit (PRT) system, which uses pod-like vehicles for first and last mile transportation.
It debuted at the Paris Olympics last year. A model was on display as the main attraction at the ADT booth, and invited visitors to sit and experience the future of mobility.
“I don't think the connectivity can happen to the airport until the technology is proven. It is self-driven, so it is slightly different from having a traditional light rail line,” Ms Chan said.
The vehicle is purpose-built for the region, and includes “advanced air-conditioning and enhanced dust protection”, according to their fact sheet. They will be able to accommodate from two to 12 people, and up to 1,500 passengers per hour offering a non-stop service to the user's end destination.
Abu Dhabi Airports is also considering using an automated people-mover for their future expansion, as well as a PRT system for premium customers.
“Our key when we design this passenger experience, we want to provide different levels of services. We are trying to see if this small pod approach would be viable for VIP, first class, and business class passengers, providing another option for that.”
Sustainable and integrated transport has become a central focus for the Emirate. These are the latest innovations in Abu Dhabi's goal of ranking among the world's top 30 cities in the Global Traffic Index by 2045.
Other autonomous vehicles have been piloted in Abu Dhabi such as the trackless tram which runs from Marina Mall to Reem Mall, and WeRide's driverless robotaxis.
European arms
Known EU weapons transfers to Ukraine since the war began: Germany 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles. Luxembourg 100 NLAW anti-tank weapons, jeeps and 15 military tents as well as air transport capacity. Belgium 2,000 machine guns, 3,800 tons of fuel. Netherlands 200 Stinger missiles. Poland 100 mortars, 8 drones, Javelin anti-tank weapons, Grot assault rifles, munitions. Slovakia 12,000 pieces of artillery ammunition, 10 million litres of fuel, 2.4 million litres of aviation fuel and 2 Bozena de-mining systems. Estonia Javelin anti-tank weapons. Latvia Stinger surface to air missiles. Czech Republic machine guns, assault rifles, other light weapons and ammunition worth $8.57 million.
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Eyasses squad
Charlie Preston (captain) – goal shooter/ goalkeeper (Dubai College)
Arushi Holt (vice-captain) – wing defence / centre (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Olivia Petricola (vice-captain) – centre / wing attack (Dubai English Speaking College)
Isabel Affley – goalkeeper / goal defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Jemma Eley – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Alana Farrell-Morton – centre / wing / defence / wing attack (Nord Anglia International School)
Molly Fuller – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Caitlin Gowdy – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Noorulain Hussain – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai College)
Zahra Hussain-Gillani – goal defence / goalkeeper (British School Al Khubairat)
Claire Janssen – goal shooter / goal attack (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Eliza Petricola – wing attack / centre (Dubai English Speaking College)
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
About RuPay
A homegrown card payment scheme launched by the National Payments Corporation of India and backed by the Reserve Bank of India, the country’s central bank
RuPay process payments between banks and merchants for purchases made with credit or debit cards
It has grown rapidly in India and competes with global payment network firms like MasterCard and Visa.
In India, it can be used at ATMs, for online payments and variations of the card can be used to pay for bus, metro charges, road toll payments
The name blends two words rupee and payment
Some advantages of the network include lower processing fees and transaction costs
The bio
Favourite book: Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer
Favourite quote: “The world makes way for the man who knows where he is going.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist
Favourite Authors: Arab poet Abu At-Tayyib Al-Mutanabbi
Favourite Emirati food: Luqaimat, a deep-fried dough soaked in date syrup
Hobbies: Reading and drawing
Jewel of the Expo 2020
252 projectors installed on Al Wasl dome
13.6km of steel used in the structure that makes it equal in length to 16 Burj Khalifas
550 tonnes of moulded steel were raised last year to cap the dome
724,000 cubic metres is the space it encloses
Stands taller than the leaning tower of Pisa
Steel trellis dome is one of the largest single structures on site
The size of 16 tennis courts and weighs as much as 500 elephants
Al Wasl means connection in Arabic
World’s largest 360-degree projection surface
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
