Abu Dhabi releases transport plan details

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport (DoT) yesterday released details of its Surface Transport Master Plan (STMD), upon which its metro project is based.

Emirates Business had on February 18 broken the story about the capital inviting tenders for the Metro, and yesterday, the department officially invited bids for what it called the Abu Dhabi Metro Study.

The transport master plan is a major initiative undertaken by the department to develop a comprehensive plan for surface transport – including different modes for passengers and freight.

The plan looks at roads, a metro and a Light Rail Transit (LRT) plan to meet the needs of Abu Dhabi until 2030.

Currently, the STMP, in its final phase, calls for establishing a high-quality, high-capacity Metro rail system covering 131 km, supported by tram and bus feeder services. Like Dubai, dissapting traffic congestion on the highway network is a key aim, as well as providing optimal connectivity between Abu Dhabi Island and its suburbs and upcoming communities such as Saadiyat, Yas Islands and Al Raha Beach.

The study's overall objective is to help ensure implementation of 'Abu Dhabi Metro' in accordance with its schedule and technical specifications. Accordingly the study will be phased out on three different stages. The stages being feasibility study, preliminary design and final contract documentation and tender award.

Under the main stages of 'Abu Dhabi Metro Study', the main tasks will include the determination of parameters of the Metro line covering its alignment, track rail systems and station locations; the selection of the optimal project urban insertion; the provision of capital, operation and maintenance cost estimates of the Metro line; the project implementation schedule; the revision of alternative options for design, construction, procurement and operations; the specification of optimal functional/output characteristics of the project to maximise its patronage and financial viability.

The study will aim to carry out planning of Metro operations to the level of detail necessary to specify train technologies, track geometry, train sizes, numbers of train car sets, depot and maintenance facilities, power, station configurations, train service frequencies, fare collection and ticketing systems.

The study will also focus on the development of a detailed implementation schedule for the project.

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