In its effort to build efficient solutions for developing an aerial transport network in Dubai, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with French mobility specialist MND, a leading company in the ropeways industry.
One of the pioneers in the field of suspended transport vehicles, MND Group will support RTA to study and implement the CABLINE suspended transportation system to achieve Dubai's vision to transform 25% of transportation trips into self-driving transportation by 2030. Also supporting MND in the development of CABLINE system to provide a completely new experience for air transport is the French government agency for sustainable development (ADEME).
The CABLINE system is designed to be integrated and connected to the existing multimodal transport network in any city. The fully automated transmission system uses self-propelled cabins that move over suspended wires at speeds of up to 45 km per hour, and requires simple infrastructure that is easy to integrate with minimal space, and this innovative technology is more modern, beautiful, quieter and energy-saving compared to the current modes of suspended transmission.
The system will require minimum maintenance, ensuring a high operating rate of the urban transport system and optimal passenger service. This technological revolution includes patented innovations based on strong and proven references from the MND Group and its partners in the field of traditional suspended transport.
The memorandum was signed on behalf of the Roads and Transport Authority by Abdul Mohsen Ibrahim Younes, CEO of the Rail Agency, while it was signed by Xavier Gallo, head of the group, on behalf of the MND Group.
Commenting on the develoment, Abdul Mohsen Ibrahim Younes, CEO of Rail Agency said, “The signing of this MoU is part of RTA’s ongoing efforts to increase public transportation trips to 26% by 2030. Realizing this objective requires developing advanced innovative transport systems and improving the sustainable transport network in Dubai to encourage people and visitors to use public transport. MND is a leading group for ropeways infrastructure and working on a new driverless high-speed system. This CABLINE system by MND is flexible, energy saving, and minor impact on the urban context.”
In turn, Xavier Gallot-Lavallée, CEO of MND, said, “MND is very proud to work with RTA to achieve their vision of sustainable mobility and fully integrating urban network combining innovative technologies and modes. We believe the CABLINE technology under development in our ropeways design and innovation center based in the French Alps can contribute to new urban transportation experience. Our engineering and partners teams have been working hard in the last years to finalize design and make CABLINE a unique and disruptive technology to ease and make urban mobility more reliable.”
Additionally, RTA has also roped in Alibaba Cloud for a project called ‘City Brain’ system to manage traffic in urban areas. The system will analyses big data received from nol cards, operating buses and taxis as well as the Enterprise Command and Control Centre to improve bus schedules and routes. The system is expected to improve bus ridership by 17 per cent and cut down average waiting time by 10 per cent.
In another project, a remote Bus Performance Monitoring Centre at Al Quoz Bus Depot will track and monitor the performance efficiency of the RTA’s new 516 Volvo buses that are fitted with ‘Telematics’ system, which enhances the operational and maintenance processes, includes 47 types of alerts covering mechanical aspects, fuel consumption per kilometre, and the condition of the safety equipment on board. It has contributed to reducing fuel consumption by 5 per cent and supported the planning for periodic and preventive maintenance of buses.