Dubai Metro Enhances Passenger Comfort and Sustainability
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has recently completed a significant enhancement of the ventilation and air conditioning systems on the Red and Green Lines of the Dubai Metro. This comprehensive upgrade, aimed at ensuring passenger comfort even in Dubai’s intense summer heat, covered 876 units across 14 stations.
The system upgrade resulted in maintaining stable temperatures between 24–25°C at all stations without any service interruptions. The next focus for the RTA is Phase 3, where the primary goal will be to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability by implementing advanced technology upgrades.
Key Highlights of the Upgrade
Wide Reach: The overhaul targeted 14 stations and two car parks along the Red Line, marking it as the most extensive improvement project for the Dubai Metro’s cooling systems to date.
Key Components Serviced: The project involved servicing crucial components like air handling units, fan coil units, chilled water pumps, extract fans, smoke extract fans, and pressurisation units.
Maintenance Details: The tasks included replacing bearings and cooling coils, thorough cleaning of equipment, and dynamic balancing to ensure the systems operate quietly, efficiently, and reliably.
No Interruptions: Work was primarily conducted during off-peak hours and at night to ensure seamless operational continuity throughout the day.
Building on Success: The latest phase builds on a previous initiative that upgraded 261 units across 13 stations, presenting a comprehensive revitalization of the metro’s cooling infrastructure.
Enhancing Passenger Experience
Strong ventilation and air conditioning are crucial for maintaining a comfortable and safe environment for passengers within the metro stations. By sustaining a stable temperature range of 24-25°C, the upgrade not only enhances passenger experience but also contributes to the overall reliability and resilience of the metro system.
RTA’s forthcoming Phase 3 will extend the enhancement efforts to target the remaining 25% of fan coil units in public areas and air handling units in critical spaces. The focus will be on energy optimization through the use of variable flow technology, which adapts airflow based on demand, reducing energy consumption and aligning with Dubai’s sustainability objectives.
Collaborative Success
This extensive project is a result of the successful cooperation between RTA’s Rail Agency and Keolis-MHI, the entity responsible for operating and maintaining the Dubai Metro and Tram services. Their joint endeavors ensured the completion of the upgrade efficiently and safely, with minimal impact on the passengers.