A Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) delegation witnessed the technical trial run of the Dubai Metro on the test track at Wadaoki Plant in Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mihara City, Japan.

Chairman of RTA’s board and executive director Mattar Al Tayer termed the test as fully successful.
“The train moved smoothly without any wobbling, sounds or noises; as it is electrically-driven. It started at a speed of 30 km per hour (kph) before accelerating to 60 kph and the test ride was made with and without a driver.”
Al Tayer said next April the RTA would conduct another trial run for the metro in Dubai on the new test track site that runs 11 km from Ibn Battuta Station to Jebel Ali Depot, including a 3.4 km at grade track.”
Dubai Metro is considered the biggest driverless metro project implemented as one unit across the world. The total cost of the two lines (Red and Green) is about Dh15 billion.
He said the train was a crucial milestone towards implementing the Dubai Metro Project. Following the trial run, Al Tayer expressed delight over the calibre of work done. “We are proud of this partnership” he said.
“In view of the commitment and serious attitude shown by the contractor to deliver the work at the highest standards and according to schedule, we are confident that the vital Dubai Metro Project will be delivered on time”  Al Tayer added.
The technical test was conducted in the presence of UAE Ambassador to Japan Saeed Al Nuwais, CEO of Marine Agency Mohammad Obaid Al Mulla, CEO of Rail Agency Abdulmajeed Al Khaja, director of marketing and corporate communication Dr Aysha Al Busmait, director of rail planning and development Abdulrida Abu Alhassan and director of marine projects Khalid Al Zahid.
Senior executives of the contractor of the Dubai Metro Project also witnessed the trial run.
The delegation members watched the experiment that millions of people in the UAE and the region have been waiting for. They boarded the train which moved on a test track extending 800 meters and made seven full round trips.
Dubai’s upcoming Metro project will serve residents and visitors within the emirates and may not ease traffic congestion in neighbouring emirates, said a senior official.
Al Khaja was quoted in the Dubai press as saying:  “It would be wrong to say that the Dubai Metro will ease traffic congestion in neighbouring emirates unless they build similar metro systems and connect them to the Dubai Metro.”
“I should emphasise that Dubai Metro and tram are purely to serve Dubai city. We want to make journeys within Dubai pleasant with less time,” he added.
He said the RTA was working on a plan to extend the Red Line by 16.5 km from Jebel Ali to the Dubai-Abu Dhabi borders. “We are also planning to link the Red Line with the new airport in Jebel Ali,” he said.
Al Khaja revealed that Dubai would have a comprehensive network of metro lines and tram tracks to meet the transport needs of an expected 5.2 million population by 2020.
After the Red and the Green Lines, currently under construction, the Rail Agency will start construction on the Purple Line and Blue Line.