In a groundbreaking announcement, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has introduced a revolutionary electric pod rail system that promises to transform urban mobility and tackle traffic congestion effectively. Unveiled at the GITEX Global Conference, the Floc Duo Rail system represents a futuristic approach to transportation in the city.
The system features self-driving electric pods designed to facilitate seamless movement across Dubai. A prototype resembling a bubble has been showcased at the event and is currently undergoing testing by the RTA. This initiative aims to provide a cost-efficient transport solution with a minimal carbon footprint while enhancing scalability throughout the urban landscape.
Once implemented, Dubai will set a precedent as the first city globally to adopt such an innovative transportation system. The concept of the Floc Duo Rail was initially presented at the Dubai International Project Management Forum in January, where the RTA entered into a partnership with the UK-based Urban-Mass Company to develop this project.
The design is notably efficient, requiring minimal infrastructure, including just two tracks and a reduced amount of steel and concrete. The pods will offer “first and last mile services,” enabling passengers to travel directly from their doorsteps without the need to locate a station. The system will adjust to passenger demand and can accommodate both small stops and large urban interchanges, with the capability to split longer trains into shorter ones for suburban service.
The pods, which can hold up to 16 passengers each, will be operational both on the ground and in suspended tracks. Additionally, the RTA recently approved a suspended transport system that will span three routes in the city, covering over 26 km in Umm Suqeim, 24 km in Al Khor, and 15 km in Zabeel with multiple stations along the way.
Although the exact timeline for the Floc Duo Rail system’s launch and fare details remain undisclosed, the RTA continues to test the system’s operational capabilities. Furthermore, a novel payment method using palm recognition is set to be introduced within Dubai’s public transport framework.
