Rail Agency announces trains to undergo driverless operation and climatic tests in Japan

The tests are witnessed by an RTA team headed by Engineer Mohammed Essa Al Rowaished, Deputy Director of Planning and Development Department in Rail Agency joint with Dr. Kamal Idir, Rail System Manager Engineer Ahmed Sharif Interface, Integration & Coordination Manager and Engineer Helal Abdul Wahed Al Khafaili, Rolling Stock Engineer from Rail Projects constructions Department.

The team was accompanied by the project engineer, Independent Safety assessor and operation and maintenance consultants. These tests are the follow up of rolling stock subsystems tests that had been successfully carried out previously in several cities of Japan and Europe.

The first train underwent dynamic tests at speed of up to 60km/h as well as Signalling tests for the purpose of driverless operation. The tests that have been 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 to the historical city of Hiroshima.

While the second train was at Nippon Sharyo facilities, which is located in Nagoya, went through Climatic Testing. These tests will determine the suitability of the train air-conditioning system to Dubai's climatic conditions.

These Two test periods which occurred 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 climatic conditions."

The RTA team continued its visit to kinky Sharyo facility in Osaka to check and ensure conformance of workmanship quality of trains in accordance with the contract requirements.

Following the completion of these tests, the two trains will go through final pre-shipment inspection and envisaged to be delivered to Dubai in Mar'08. The remaining 42 trains are envisaged to be delivered to Dubai by the last quarter of 2008 in preparation for passenger service commencement in Sept'09."