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Dubai Metro trains on trial in Japan

DUBAI — The Rail Agency of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced that the first two Metro trains have been transported out of the factory to undergo driverless operation and climatic testing in various locations in Japan.

The tests are being witnessed by an RTA team headed by Mohammed Essa Al Rowaished, Deputy Director of Planning and Development Department in Rail Agency, and Kamal Idir, Rail System Manager, along with other officials.

The team was accompanied by the project engineer, independent safety assessor and operations and maintenance consultants.

These tests are the follow-up of the tests of the rolling-stock subsystems that had been successfully carried out in several cities of Japan and Europe earlier.

The first train underwent dynamic tests at a speed of up to 60km per hour as well as signalling tests for the purpose of driverless operation.

The tests conducted were functional dynamic test, automatic speed control, emergency braking and other safety-related tests. These were carried out at Mihara Test Track which is located near Hiroshima.

The second train was at Nippon Sharyo facilities, located in Nagoya, and went through climatic testing, which would determine the suitability of the train’s air-conditioning system to Dubai’s climatic conditions.

“These two tests which took place simultaneously are very important milestones in the Dubai Metro Project. The Mihara tests will determine that the trains are able to run dynamically and safely in driverless operation while the other tests will ensure the passengers’ high level of comfort when the trains operate in Dubai’s climatic conditions,” an RTA Press release said yesterday.

The RTA team visited Sharyo facility in Osaka to check and ensure quality of workmanship in accordance with the contract requirements.