Mecca Metro
Encyclopedia
The Mecca Metro, officially the Al Mashaaer Al Muqaddassah Metro, is an 18.1 km long elevated metro
in the city of Mecca
, Saudi Arabia, which opened in November 2010.
, Muzdalifa and Mina
to reduce congestion caused by buses and cars during the Hajj
. It will also carry pilgrims performing Umrah
throughout the year. Once complete, the Saudis estimate 53,000 buses will disappear from the city’s crowded roads, promising a safer, more comfortable pilgrimage.
The metro was opened on 13 November 2010 for Hajj Operations (Hajj 1431), in time for the Hajj between 25 and 29 November. It will initially operate at 35% capacity with automatic train protection
to assist manual driving. A member of staff will be retained onboard once driverless operation is introduced in mid-2011. Makkah Metro is stated to be the world's fastest design, build to operate metro in the world at 21 months. When fully operational during Hajj 2011 (Hajj 1432), it will be able to transport 72,000+ pilgrims /hour in full automatic mode. With up to 8 million passenger journeys forecast during the week of the Hajj in November 2011, it will then be the most intensley used Metro in the world during the period of the Hajj pilgrimage.
The line is elevated at a height varying between 8 metres (26.2 ft) and 10 metres (32.8 ft). It is designed to carry up to 72,000 passengers/hour/direction in time for the 2011 Hajj.
Although the metro uses conventional steel wheel on rail technology, it is sometimes incorrectly referred to as a 'monorail
'.
high speed rail network.
CRCC carried out construction of the project infrastructure and integrated and subcontracted various systems.
Several subcontracts were awarded. Brecknell Willis provided lightweight aluminium conductor rails with stainless steel contact surfaces. These supply 1500 V DC and a current draw of 3000 A. Westinghouse Platform Screen Doors supplied the platform screen doors, Siemens
power supplies, and WS Atkins is responsible for electrical and mechanical systems and project management. Thales supplied Seltrac Communications-Based Train Control, an operations control centre, CCTV, SCADA and passenger information systems. Systra
supervised the civil work, and Lloyds Register has been appointed as safety assessor. Serco provides operations and maintenance consultancy. TUV Rheinland
provided consultancy and support for the developement of HSQE Manaagement Systems, production of the System-Wide and O&M Safety Cases and achieved acceptance by the Saudi Railway Commission (SRC) for the issue of the Operating License and Safety Certificate for Phase 2 Hajj Operations in 2011 (Hajj 1432).
will supply the braking systems with modifications to suit sandy conditions.
The first trainset was shipped from China in May 2010 and the last was due to arrive by the end of 2010.
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
in the city of Mecca
Mecca
Mecca is a city in the Hijaz and the capital of Makkah province in Saudi Arabia. The city is located inland from Jeddah in a narrow valley at a height of above sea level...
, Saudi Arabia, which opened in November 2010.
Background
The metro will transport pilgrims between holy sites in Mecca, Mount ArafatMount Arafat
Mount Arafat or Mount Arafah is a granite hill east of Mecca. It is also known as the Mount of Mercy . The hill is the place Muslims believe the Islamic prophet Muhammad stood and delivered the Farewell Sermon to the Muslims who had accompanied him for the Hajj towards the end of his life...
, Muzdalifa and Mina
Mina, Saudi Arabia
Mina is a location situated some 5 kilometres to the east of the Islamic holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It stands on the road from Mecca's city centre to the Hill of Arafat....
to reduce congestion caused by buses and cars during the Hajj
Hajj
The Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the largest pilgrimages in the world, and is the fifth pillar of Islam, a religious duty that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so...
. It will also carry pilgrims performing Umrah
Umrah
The Umrah or is a pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, performed by Muslims that can be undertaken at any time of the year. In Arabic, Umrah means "to visit a populated place"...
throughout the year. Once complete, the Saudis estimate 53,000 buses will disappear from the city’s crowded roads, promising a safer, more comfortable pilgrimage.
The metro was opened on 13 November 2010 for Hajj Operations (Hajj 1431), in time for the Hajj between 25 and 29 November. It will initially operate at 35% capacity with automatic train protection
Automatic Train Protection
Automatic Train Protection in Great Britain refers to either of two implementations of a train protection system installed in some trains in order to help prevent collisions through a driver's failure to observe a signal or speed restriction...
to assist manual driving. A member of staff will be retained onboard once driverless operation is introduced in mid-2011. Makkah Metro is stated to be the world's fastest design, build to operate metro in the world at 21 months. When fully operational during Hajj 2011 (Hajj 1432), it will be able to transport 72,000+ pilgrims /hour in full automatic mode. With up to 8 million passenger journeys forecast during the week of the Hajj in November 2011, it will then be the most intensley used Metro in the world during the period of the Hajj pilgrimage.
The line is elevated at a height varying between 8 metres (26.2 ft) and 10 metres (32.8 ft). It is designed to carry up to 72,000 passengers/hour/direction in time for the 2011 Hajj.
Although the metro uses conventional steel wheel on rail technology, it is sometimes incorrectly referred to as a 'monorail
Monorail
A monorail is a rail-based transportation system based on a single rail, which acts as its sole support and its guideway. The term is also used variously to describe the beam of the system, or the vehicles traveling on such a beam or track...
'.
Route
The initial line may be extended later to Al Haram and will be the first of a proposed five-line network which would connect the area to Jeddah airport and the future Haramain High Speed Rail ProjectHaramain High Speed Rail Project
The Haramain High Speed Rail project also known as the "Western Railway", is a high speed inter-city Rail transport system under construction in Saudi Arabia. It will link the Muslim holy cities of Medina and Mecca via King Abdullah Economic City, Rabigh, Jeddah and King Abdulaziz International...
high speed rail network.
- Phase 1, The Pink Line, is a loop of four parallel lines between Mena, Muzdalifa and Arafat with three pick-up/drop-off stations at each place. The four-line loop splits into single tracks covering all the encampment zones in Mina. Mina will be the last station for the metro line and will be located towards the west of the Jamarat BridgeJamarat BridgeThe Jamaraat Bridge is a pedestrian bridge in Mina, Saudi Arabia near Mecca used by Muslims during the stoning of the devil ritual of the Hajj. The bridge was originally constructed in 1963, and has been expanded several times since then. The purpose of the bridge is to enable pilgrims to throw...
. The Pink Line will be linked to all four floors of the bridge by elevators. The four parallel lines move south towards Arafat before reaching a main station next to the Arafat Mosque and splitting again into single lines to carry pilgrims into Arafat. The lines come together again and move towards Muzdelefa where pilgrims will spend ceremonial time before returning to Mina. The line will run on a viaduct with the depot at the end of the trail behind the first station in Arafat. A turnaround loop is planned between the last station and the depot. Passengers can transfer to the Red Line or the Blue line at Mena station. This line opened in November 2010. - Phase 2, the Red Line, is a straight link between Mena and Mecca.
- Phase 3 and 3A , the Orange Line, will connect Mecca to large multilevel parking facilities at Resaifah to the west and other parking facilities to the south.
- Phase 4, the Blue Line, will connect Mena to the west side of Mecca through a big loop to the north. Phase 4A is a straight extension south off the Blue Line loop.
- Phase 5, the Yellow Line, circles Mecca with a straight extension to the north. It connects to the Red Line, the Blue Line and the Orange Line, thus facilitating continuous metro service between the parking areas and Arafat.
Construction
China Railway Construction Corp was responsible for infrastructure construction and systems integration under the 6.7 billion riyal phase I contract which was awarded by the Saudi Arabian government in February 2009 following a visit by President Hu Jintao of China.CRCC carried out construction of the project infrastructure and integrated and subcontracted various systems.
Several subcontracts were awarded. Brecknell Willis provided lightweight aluminium conductor rails with stainless steel contact surfaces. These supply 1500 V DC and a current draw of 3000 A. Westinghouse Platform Screen Doors supplied the platform screen doors, Siemens
Siemens
Siemens may refer toSiemens, a German family name carried by generations of telecommunications industrialists, including:* Werner von Siemens , inventor, founder of Siemens AG...
power supplies, and WS Atkins is responsible for electrical and mechanical systems and project management. Thales supplied Seltrac Communications-Based Train Control, an operations control centre, CCTV, SCADA and passenger information systems. Systra
Systra
SYSTRA is an international engineering and consulting group specializing in rail and public transport. SYSTRA is known worldwide for its work in transport modes that offer a sustainable alternative to cars and trucks...
supervised the civil work, and Lloyds Register has been appointed as safety assessor. Serco provides operations and maintenance consultancy. TUV Rheinland
TÜV Rheinland
TÜV Rheinland is a global provider of technical, safety and certification services. Originally called the Dampfkessel-Überwachungs-Vereine , TÜV Rheinland was founded in 1872 and has its headquarters in Cologne, Germany...
provided consultancy and support for the developement of HSQE Manaagement Systems, production of the System-Wide and O&M Safety Cases and achieved acceptance by the Saudi Railway Commission (SRC) for the issue of the Operating License and Safety Certificate for Phase 2 Hajj Operations in 2011 (Hajj 1432).
Rolling stock
On 4 April 2009 Changchun Railway Vehicles was awarded a contract to supply 17 Type A 12-car metro trainsets. Each set will have eight motor and four trailer cars, all with aluminium bodies. A Type A car is 22.3 metres long and 3 metres wide. Knorr-BremseKnorr-Bremse
Knorr-Bremse is a manufacturer of braking systems for rail and commercial vehicles that has operated in the field for over 100 years. The company also produces door systems for rail vehicles and torsional dampers. In 2009, the Group's workforce of over 14,000 achieved worldwide sales of EUR 2.761...
will supply the braking systems with modifications to suit sandy conditions.
The first trainset was shipped from China in May 2010 and the last was due to arrive by the end of 2010.
See also
- Haramain High Speed Rail ProjectHaramain High Speed Rail ProjectThe Haramain High Speed Rail project also known as the "Western Railway", is a high speed inter-city Rail transport system under construction in Saudi Arabia. It will link the Muslim holy cities of Medina and Mecca via King Abdullah Economic City, Rabigh, Jeddah and King Abdulaziz International...
- North South Railway (Saudi Arabia)
- Saudi Railways Organization
- Transport in Saudi ArabiaTransport in Saudi Arabia- Railways :Saudi Arabia has several hundred route kilometres of standard gauge railways linking the capital Riyadh with the Persian Gulf. The new 440 km Haramain High Speed Rail Project will link Makkah and Medina....
- Arab Mashreq International RailwayArab Mashreq International RailwayThe Arab Mashreq International Railway is a proposed railway network in the Middle East. The planned network has north-south and east-west axes, and 16 different routes covering 19500 route-km...