Dutch technology firm 2getthere said it has been awarded the contract to deliver a new automated vehicle system in Dubai, UAE, that will link new waterfront lifestyle destination Bluewaters with the city’s network of metro stations.
 
A world-leading developer of sustainable mobility solutions, 2getthere will be implementing the project through its Middle East joint venture with United Technical Services.

The Dutch firm said, once ready, the innovative transport system will boast a capacity of 5,000 people per hour per direction.

The automated vehicle connection between Bluewaters and the metro is set to become the largest of its kind in the world and is considered an example of the future of autonomous transport solutions, it added.

On the new venture, 2getthere CEO Carel van Helsdingen said: "We believed from the start that our system and technology provided the best fit for the application. It is rewarding to be under contract."

"The award of the project clearly shows the increased interest in 2getthere’s systems throughout the Middle East," he noted.

"This is based to a large extent on our excellent track record in Masdar City and Capelle aan den IJssel in the Netherlands, where we operate comparable systems with a high availability and reliability in harsh climate conditions," he added.

Bluewaters Dubai is a landmark project by UAE group Meraas Holding in Dubai which is under construction 500 m off the Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) coastline, opposite The Beach and near Dubai Marina, in Dubai, UAE.

The island is a colourful beacon adorning the city’s spectacular coastline and skyline, with a collection of townhouses, penthouses and apartments; retail and dining experiences and two hotels, linked to the shore by a multi-modal transport system ensuring easy access to the island.

The centrepiece at Bluewaters will be Ain Dubai, the tallest and largest observation wheel that will be taller than the 550 ft High Roller that opened in Las Vegas in March 2014. It will also be 64 ft taller than the 625 ft New York Wheel planned for Staten Island.

When completed, Ain Dubai will be able to carry up to 1,400 passengers in its 48 capsules, and provide views of Dubai Marina and landmarks such as Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah, and Burj Khalifa. Its base will also serve as an exciting entertainment zone.

The awarded automatic transport system fits Dubai’s objective to have 25 per cent of all trips completed by automated systems by 2035.

The automated transport system at Bluewaters will feature 25 driverless Group Rapid Transit (GRT) vehicles capable of carrying 24 passengers each, connecting stations on the island and Nakheel Harbour and Tower Metro Station 2.5 km apart.

The capacity will initially be 3,350 people per hour per direction, with the possibility to increase to 5,000 people per hour per direction. The trip time will be approximately 4.5 minutes.

"The application is the first to feature a 2getthere’s third-generation GRT vehicle," stated Ziad Al Askari, the COO of 2getthere Middle East and United Technical Services.

"This automated vehicle can serve in automated people mover (APM) applications as well as an autonomous transit system on public roads, integrating the necessary sensory technology," he noted.

The solution provided for the connection to Bluewaters is a perfect fit with the autonomous transport strategy as a pillar to achieve a sustainable economy for the UAE, he added.

Van Helsdingen is convinced the automated vehicles will have a great appeal and will encourage more people to visit Bluewaters by public transit.

“The Bluewaters application demonstrates the capability of 2getthere’s systems to provide significant capacities, making them a financially attractive alternative for the expensive, traditional rail-guided APM systems at airports and campuses," explained Van Helsdingen.

"Basically we are applying Level 4 autonomous vehicles on a dedicated track to provide a high capacity and throughput. We are working on introducing these vehicles in mixed traffic, similar to the extension of the Rivium application in the city of Capelle aan den IJssel (the Netherlands) just announced two weeks ago," he added.-TradeArabia News Service