This futuristic train network in Dubai has sped into the record books thanks to the support of Tata Steel.

Officially the world’s longest fully-automated metro network spanning 47 miles with two operational lines, the Dubai Metro is a feat of modern transport engineering, underpinned by over 60,000m2 of Tata Steel ComFlor® 80 composite floor decking across its footbridges, walkways, platforms and all elevated public areas.

Created as a solution to the region’s rapidly-growing population and severe traffic congestion, the flooring choice for the pioneering driverless rail system not only had to meet the demands of its complex architectural design, but cope with the extreme footfall generated by the 200,000 passengers which now use the Metro system daily.

Dubai’s on track with new metro system supported by Tata Steel

ComFlor® 80 decking system by Tata Steel was specified for the ambitious project thanks to its unrivalled ability to achieve unpropped continuous spans of up to five metres, reducing structural costs on site and enabling speedy installation to ensure the metro system could be up and running on time. It also boasts the fire certification whilst its large curvature detail provided exactly the right profile.

But Tata Steel didn’t just provide the practical support for the metro network’s flooring. It also provided a full-service solution for the project’s engineers and designers, using its considerable technical expertise to assist with completion of drawings, production planning, method statements and schematic designs, along with delivery of the large spans of ComFlor® 80 decking.

World’s longest automated metro is kept on track by Tata

The result is an urban network that was used by over 10 million passengers in its first six months of operation, a metro system that isn’t just a crucial part of Dubai’s future, but a jewel in its crown with more metro lines already planned as part of the Road and Transport Authority’s masterplan.