Motorola today announced it has joined forces with UAE telecom provider, du, in the launch of Dubai Metro’s mobile WiMAX network. It will provide mobile connectivity and backhaul for Wi-Fi traffic on the Dubai Metro train as well as in the stations.
The Dubai Metro will be the longest fully automated rail transport system in the world. The Red Line, which is 52km long, is already functional and is expected to be followed by the Green line in early 2010. Once completed, the Metro will have 47 stations, four of which will be underground.
Du, the integrated telecom service provider in the UAE, launched mobile telecommunication services in February 2007 across the UAE, in addition to internet and pay TV services that it provides in some of the free zones of Dubai. It is 39.5 percent owned by the UAE Federal Government, 19.75 percent by Mubadala Development Company, 19.5 percent by Emirates Communications & Technology Company LLC and the remaining stake by public shareholders.
Meanwhile, the fully automated Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system, developed by Advanced Transport Systems in the UK, at Heathrow airport has been delayed again. The PRT Ultra will now open in Spring 2010. A major change has been the requirement to change the operating frequency of the communications system from 2.4GHz to 5.1GHz, in order to avoid any possibility of interference with the automated baggage handling system in Terminal 5.
In an automated train system it is important to know exactly where all trains are and to keep them a safe distace apart from each other. The Seltrac system, supplied and installed by Alcatel is in use on railway systems in Vancouver, Detroit and Toronto. Here are some Communications Based Train Control Papers.
American cities including Ithaca, N.Y., and San Jose, Calif., are doing PRT feasibility studies for driverless, on-demand transportation systems, reports NPR. The Minnesota Department of Transportation is also looking into a PRT system.
Here are Wired’s Five Commuter iPhone Apps You’ve Gotta Try:
- Bike your Drive — A free app specifically for bike commuters. It uses the iPhone’s GPS to calculate how far you’ve gone, how many calories you’ve burned and how much gas (and money) you’ve saved .
- Transit Maps — Simply download the map from your local transit agency and store it on your phone.
- Aha — Provides real-time traffic info about your route. Play karaoke with your fellow road warriors or sound off in a “shout room” about that moron who cut you off or find a coffee shop.
- Zipcar — Easier than trying to navigate the Zipcar website on your phone. This free app is a must-have for frequent Zipcar users.
- Maps + Compass — Plug in your current location and your destination and tell it whether you’re walking, driving or taking the bus. The app will map out the best route.
Other transit connectivity articles on Dailywireless include, iPhone Drives Car, Live 360 Degree Streaming Video, Google Earth Gets “Live” Overlay, Hands-free Vehicular Calling, Harris Cuts Fog of War, Shipboard AIS Gets a Satellite Swarm, SF Gets Solar Wi-Fi Bus Shelters, Ford Sync Dials 911, Proxim WiMAX for Washington Ferries, CradlePoint: Mobile WiFi/WiMAX Hot Spots, In-Vehicle Infotainment: Death Race.
