Enabling Sustainable High-Capacity Rail Infrastructure Across the UAE

Customer challenge

The largest railway project in UAE, Etihad Rail has strengthened the country’s trade and population links, redefining transport and logistics in the region. Once fully complete, the UAE’s megaproject is expected to serve approximately 16 million passengers and 50 million tonnes of freight. Initially a heavy goods service, network is due to transport millions of passengers between cities by 2030.

The ambitious project also supports the UAE’s green targets, allowing for the sustainable replacement of 5,600 lorry trips per day, equating to up to 80% less carbon dioxide.

Etihad Rail PJSC required a premium under ballast mat solution that would protect the ballast and superstructure whilst improving the track quality, also attenuating vibration down to a specific level. The customer also required a low-maintenance, fastening-free and durable embedded track solution that would thrive in the depot and port sections of the rail.

The high axle load of 32.5 tonnes and specific superstructure across bridges made this ambitious project uniquely challenging but Pandrol’s Under Ballast Mat offering made us fully equipped to rise to the challenge, one of only a select few suppliers who could demonstrate the necessary technical qualifications.

The results

Despite the global energy and transport crisis over the last few years, Pandrol was able to meet the supply demands of the project to contribute to the success of this milestone project. Pandrol’s strong performance during Stage One paved the road for success in Stage Two, demonstrating the good relationships between Pandrol, the customer and contracting partners. With future work planned to extend the passenger transport network, 10 new stations and 50km of additional track has been planned.