Dubai Metro achieves new milestone; here’s how its fleet is maintained

Image: RTA

Dubai Metro has set a new milestone in operational excellence, logging more than 16.8 million hours of specialised maintenance work since its inception in 2009, covering carriages, rails and tunnel maintenance, according to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)

The urban rail service has also achieved a punctuality rate of 99.7 per cent, exceeding international safety benchmarks.

Since its launch 14 years ago, Dubai Metro has completed over 1 million kilometres in travel distance. Maintenance teams have covered 30,000 kilometres on foot during their inspection tours.

RTA has employed specialised apps and systems to streamline maintenance activities, aligning with its ambitious paperless strategy and plans to raise efficiency.

Here are some of the key highlights of how RTA ensure the Dubai Metro offers peak performance 24X7.

Dubai Metro: Maintenance highlights 

1. RTA conducts two categories of preventive maintenance: the first, light maintenance conducted every 14 days or quarterly and the second, overhaul (comprehensive) maintenance. The second process involves periodic inspections and overhauling of trains based on mileage, is routinely performed for each train after every 750,000 kilmetres.
2. Each train undergoes a 15-day overhauling process. About one million manhours were devoted to meticulously maintain 79 trains and ensure their optimal performance. A dedicated team of 70 employees conducts maintenance working around the clock. Overhauls are conducted in a fully-equipped workshop located at the Al Qusais Depot.
3. The Dubai Metro’s fleet boasts 129 trains, comprising 50 modern units and the initial batch of 79 trains, which have recently undergone maintenance.
4. With Dubai Metro covering a total of over a million kilometres so far, it is currently conducting its second overhaul maintenance, the highest level of an overhaul. This process involves the inspection and refurbishment of all 14 train systems, encompassing components like the metro carriage systems, gear unit, traction motor, brake system, train door system, pneumatic valves and air conditioning systems.
5. Since the metro’s inception, overhauling teams have undertaken rail grinding for a combined length of 800 kilometres. They’ve used very sophisticated rail refurbishment equipment, which automatically grinds rails to ensure optimal alignment between rails and train wheels. It helps prevent potential breaking of rails and extends the lifespan of the train infrastructure. RTA also employed state-of-the-art cameras and laser technology to scan rail sections and determine the most suitable maintenance system that guarantees smooth train operations.
6. RTA uses drones to examine and inspect Dubai Metro tunnels extending 14 kilometres on both Red and Green Lines. The drones are equipped with multiple cameras, including a high-resolution one to monitor the condition of the tunnels.
7. Infrared technology is utilised to monitor the walls of train tunnels, providing instant reporting on asset conditions and maintenance activities. This technology seamlessly integrates with RTA’s maintenance management system, offering a digital platform for inspection tasks, which minimises the possibility of human errors.
8. In addition to the use of (SightCall) technology by first line response teams, which is an augmented reality application on mobile devices that enables experts to the teams to obtain instant information remotely to support diagnosis and quick resolution of complex system faults.
9. The metro network has over 10,000 CCTV cameras to oversee all train facilities. Throughout the year, maintenance is conducted on over 2,000 informational screens to assure efficiency.
10. Dubai Metro features advanced train manufacturing technology and serves as a comprehensive transit system. It includes 900 automated fare gates, 548 escalators, 273 elevators, 96 electric walkways, and air-conditioned footbridges, all ensuring a smooth and safe transportation experience for all its users.