The Dubai Rapid Link (DURL), an international consortium including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), has completed the construction of Dubai Metro Red Line, a fully automated, driverless metro system, in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Dubai Metro will be the world's longest driverless rail system, with a total length of approximately 75 kilometers, consisting of the newly completed Red Line and the Green Line (Phase II) currently under construction, which will run through the old city along Dubai Creek. The network will substantially ease Dubai's traffic congestion stemming from rapid population growth. The system commenced operation on Wednesday at 10 key stations. The other members of DURL include three Japanese companies - Mitsubishi Corporation (MC), Obayashi Corporation and Kajima Corporation - and Yapi Merkezi Insaat ve Sanayi A.S. of Turkey. The 53 kilometer-long Red Line (Phase I) runs between Dubai International Airport and Jebel Ali, a new area under development along the coast. The Dubai Metro is the first urban rail system in GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council). The five-partner Japanese-Turkish consortium supplied the fully automated driverless rail system and performed related civil and construction work.
