UPDATE ON RAIL INDUSTRY

IN THE MIDDLE EAST

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WWW.RAILOPERATIONALREADINESS.COM UPDATE ON RAIL INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST 1
Produced by IQPC Middle East in association with the MENA Rail Operational Readiness Summit in January 2016 in Doha, Qatar.
 CONTENTS
Introduction 3

Top Rail Projects In The Middle East 4

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 4

Oman 6

Qatar 6

Kuwait 7

United Arab Emirates 7

Achieving Interoperability 9-10

Rail Operational Readiness 11-16

The Future Of Rail Transport In The Middle East 17

Sources 18

MENA Rail Operational Readiness Summit 19

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INTRODUCTION
The next ten years will witness the
complete transformation of rail
transport networks across the Middle
East as more than $200 billion is
currently invested in creating over
10,000 km of new railway tracks,
metro lines and supporting rail
infrastructure across the region. As
the series of planned rail projects
reaches completion, the Middle East
is quickly shedding its traditional
image of slow, frustrating and
transportation routes through the
packed cities and lengthy deserts.
In its place, advanced metro, LRT
(Light Rail Transit) and national railway
systems will emerge to swiftly convey
millions of people to their destination
with the highest levels of safety,
comfort and convenience.
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By 2025, rail industry analysts believe
that almost every major city in the
region will feature a dedicated metro
network, and every country will have
its own rail network with complete
national coverage. However, railway
development in the Middle East
doesn’t stop there. Not only are
there vast railway construction
projects occurring in each of the
GCC countries, the Gulf Cooperation
Council Rail Link – a hugely ambitious
$15 billion undertaking that aims to
forge permanent rail links between
every GCC member nation – is
quickly evolving from the pipe dream
of 2005 into a solid reality.
As each of the member states works
to complete their cross-border
UPDATE ON RAIL INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST
rail connections, the entire project
envisages the construction of a
2,177 km integrated network. Despite
delays in 2014 due to conflicting
economic and political priorities, the
project is pressing ahead with a firm
deadline of 2018.1
With these national and supra-
national projects in the pipeline, the
financial opportunities open to rail
solutions providers are only set to
grow larger as construction continues
towards completion and into the
operational phases of the resultant
networks.
1 Rail Journal, Delivering the GCC’s Integrated
Railway, 11/03/2015
3
TOP RAIL PROJECTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
As each of the
member states
works to complete
their cross-border
rail connections,
the entire project
envisages the
construction of a
2,177 km integrated
network. Despite
delays in 2014 due to
conflicting economic
and political priorities,
the project is pressing
ahead with a firm
deadline of 2018.
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Biggest Middle Eastern
Rail Projects by Country
Saudi Arabia: Kingdom-wide
Expansion of National Rail
Network
Location: 19 lines across the whole
of Saudi Arabia including GCC Rail
Link connections
Length: Up to 15,000 km of new rail
lines
Investment: $97 billion
Project initiated: 2010
Estimated project completion date:
Three major phases: Phase One by
2025, Phase Two by 2033 and Phase
Three by 2040
Project details: The commitment
to railroad investment demonstrated
by Saudi Arabia in the past few years
in nothing short of astounding, not
only in the scale of its rail ambitions
but also the planned speed of
implementation for such huge
projects.
The expansion and upgrading of
the entire national rail network is
necessary to secure a variety of
socio-economic benefits. Chief
among these is that it will aid the
diversification of the Saudi economy,
reducing its reliance on oil by tapping
into vast mineral deposits in the
deserts. The only way to efficiently
transport the valuable minerals across
the rugged terrain once they are
mined is by train, hence the devising
of the North-South railway, the largest
freight rail project in the region at
2,750 km long.2
Another key objective is the provision
of an efficient and comfortable means
of conveyance for the estimated 3
million pilgrims who flock to the holy
cities of Mecca and Medina every
year. The Haramain High Speed Rail
route will span the 450km between
the two cities via Jeddah and King
Abdullah Economic City, providing
an electrified passenger double line
where trains will travel at an average
speed of 360km per hour.3 The project
was made a high priority by the state
in order to provide better safety and
comfort to the growing numbers
of annual pilgrim visitors while also
UPDATE ON RAIL INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST
alleviating congestion on the road
system between the two cities and the
Jeddah Governorate.4
The 15-year rail programme, one
of the world’s largest infrastructure
projects with an estimated budget
of $97bn to be spent before 2040,
foresees up to 15,000 km of track
being laid, combining freight with
broad-gauge high-speed passenger
and urban metro lines.
LandBridge Project – Linking
Jeddah with Dammam
“This huge project which represents
one of the most important elements
in the expansion program adopted
by the supreme Economic Council
aims at providing fast, safe and
reliable service to ship the excessive
containers destined for both the
domestic market, or to the markets
of the Gulf States. The volume of
what will be transferred on this line
estimated to be about 8 million tons
of containers.” – Saudi Railways
Organisation: The LandBridge Project
Location: Jeddah to Dammam
Length: 950 km
Investment: $7 billion
Project initiation date: TBC
Estimated project completion date:
2020s
Projects details: As part of the first
phase of this massive expansion of
the Saudi railway network, a 950km
direct line connection will be laid in
order to link Jeddah on the Red Sea
with the city of Dammam on the Gulf,
with branch lines to key industrial
centres.5
In order to secure the right expertise
and funding for this endeavour, the
Saudi Government will be offering
concessions to the private sector for
the construction and operation of
the Landbridge via a Build Operate
Transfer (“BOT”) contract. This will
be one of the largest BOT schemes
ever undertaken in the region and will
2Rail Journal, Delivering the GCC’s Integrated
Railway, 11/03/2015
3Rail Journal, Saudi Arabia’s commitment to its rail is
breathtaking, 02/06/2014
4City Metric, High speed rail is popping up all over
the world.
5Saudi Railways, Haramain High Speed Rail Project
Brief
4
ensure that the infrastructure set in
place will form the backbone of the
new Saudi Arabian rail network.6
Once complete, it is estimated that the
LandBridge connection will be able
to deliver safe, efficient and reliable
transportation of over eight million
tonnes of freight cargo and more than
3 million passengers on an annual
basis.7
Riyadh Metro Network
Location: Riyadh
Length: 72.km across 6 automated
lines with 25 stations
Investment: $23.1 billion
Key stakeholders: Siemens, Alstom,
Bombardier, FAST Consortium,
Strukton, Ansaldo STS, Bechtel,
Parsons and Systra
Project initiated: 2014
Estimated project completion date:
TBC – early 2020s
Project Details: In 2014, Prince Khalid
bin Bandar broke ground on Line 4 of
the Riyadh metro system to signal the
start of plans to bring network up to
a total of six automated lines and 25
stations, hugely extending its reach
across the capital.8 A wide variety
of internationally respected rail and
engineering companies are involved
in the network upgrade project
and additional tenders for further
improvement and expansion projects
are expected to follow in the coming
years.
Progress on the new lines continues
at pace, as October 2015 saw the
completion of 1.2km of the TBM’s
designated 5km on Riyad Metro’s
Line 5, also known as ‘Green Line’,
along a route drilled from the Ministry
of Education to Salah Al-Din Station,
which is located between Orouba
Road and King Abdullah Road.
Specialised TBMs (Tunnel Boring
Machines) have been deployed on
the project and are capable of drilling
20 metres of new tunnel per day,
installing the tunnel lining as it goes in
order to further hasten progress and
avoid potential delays or accidents.9
Jeddah Urban Rail System
Location: Jeddah
Length: 157km metro, 39km LRT
lines, 16km tram line
Investment: TBC ($12 billion for
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metro)
Project initiated: April 2014
Estimated project completion date:
Early 2020s
Project details: Saudi Arabia’s
second city, Jeddah, is also
undergoing a complete overhaul of its
urban rail transportation system. By
2020, the construction of a new three-
line transit rail, a new tram line and
four major metro lines will completely
rejuvenate public transport options
across the city.
The four metro lines; red, blue, green
and orange, will encompass 44km
of tunnelled works as well as 113km
of elevated lines.10 These will provide
fast, safe and efficient transportation
along the arterial routes of the major
Jeddah city areas, without impacting
on the road traffic network.
“This huge project
The plan also involves the
construction of three double track which represents
LRT lines which will accommodate one of the most
65 train sets that will run east to west, important elements
encompassing 43 stations designed
for maximum coverage. Finally, the in the expansion
new double track Corniche Tramway program adopted
has been designated to run 16 km
along the coast from the Globe by the supreme
Roundabout in the north to a terminus Economic Council
near Tahlia Street, with 15 stops and a aims at providing
fleet of around 11 trams.11
The prequalification process for the
fast, safe and reliable
“design, build, operate” tenders has service to ship the
already begun and within the next
excessive containers
five years Jeddah will see its urban
rail system completely transformed, destined for both the
improving commuter journeys, domestic market,
recreational travel time and relieving
pressure on the city’s existing road
or to the markets of
transport network. the Gulf States. The
Perhaps even more exciting is volume of what will
the news that this is only Phase 1
of Jeddah’s ultimate strategy to
be transferred on this
support its sustainable, ‘liveable city’ line estimated to be
development ambitions. A second about 8 million tons of
phase of the Jeddah Transportation
Master Plan is scheduled to run containers.”
from 2020 to 2033 and will no doubt
6Oxford Business Group, Saudi Arabia rail project
progresses, 29/04/2015
6Saudi Railways, LandBridge Project Brief
8Ibid
9Global Rail News, Return of the Railway – Eastern
Promise, 09/02/2015
10Construction Week Online, FAST Consortium
Announces Riyadh Metro Milestone, 06/10/2015
11 Railway Gazette, Jeddah invites expressions of
interest in urban transport projects, 30/07/2015
UPDATE ON RAIL INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST 5
 encompass broader, more expansive
urban rail development opportunities.
Oman: Oman Rail
Location: Country-wide network
linking Muscat with major ports of
Sohar, Duqm and Salalah as well as
connections to other countries in the
GCC.
Length: 2,135 km
Project stakeholders: TBC, civil
works contracts still undergoing
bidding process
Project initiated: June 2014
Estimated project completion
date: Late 2018 for Phase 1
“Oman Rail is one big, ambitious
and complete network. We are
determined to link our three major
ports in the county — Sohar, Duqm
and Salalah — with other GCC
countries through this important
project.” – Ahmed Bin Mohammed
Bin Salim Al Futaisi, Oman’s Minister
of Transport and Communications
Project details: Thanks to its
expansive ports and advantageous
geographical position at the
southeast corner of the Arabian
Peninsula, Oman is marketing itself
as the commercial gateway to the
GCC. The three deepwater ports
of Salalah, Al Duqm, and Sohar
are critical to this strategy as they
sit along two major international
shipping routes which are within
two weeks of some of the world’s
largest and most important ports.
Oman Rail, the company with the
ambitious undertaking of starting
a 2,135 km national railway, was
founded in June 2014 and its
completed network will support the
vital commercial operations of these
ports as well as forging greater
transport connections throughout
the country and the GCC.12
Phase one of Oman Rail’s grand
vision to link the country’s ports and
borders has been broken into three
different phases - a 136km-long
line from the UAE border to Sohar,
a 27lm-long line to Al Buraimi and
an 8km branch through Sohar Port
and Freezone. The tender for the
civil works was issued in August
2014 and by May 2015 Oman
Rail received 11 bids from various
Italian, Chinese, Indian, Korean and
Austrian contractor groups.13
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Qatar: Integrated Rail Project
(QIRP)
Location: Integration of Doha Metro,
Lusail Light Rail Transit network and the
long-distance passenger and freight
network connecting to the GCC Rail
Link.
Investment value: $43.62 billion
Project stakeholders: Qatar Rail,
Deutsche Bahn International, Alstom,
QDVC, Thales
Project initiated: 2009
Estimated project completion date:
2020
Project details: Qatar Rail is
overseeing the construction of a multi-
billion dollar state-of-the-art integrated
rail network that comprises three major
projects: the Doha Metro, the Lusail
Light Rail Transit network and the long-
distance passenger and freight network
which will be connected to the GCC
railway.14
The four lines and 95 stations of the
Doha Metro will serve as the backbone
of QIRP and will provide the main form
of public transport serving the Greater
Doha Area.15 Naturally, the improvement
of urban mobility is a chief requisite of
preparing Qatar for the FIFA World Cup
2022 as major stations will service the
newly constructed stadiums as well as
other critical locations.
The Metro will accommodate
approximately 100 trains using
driverless technology controlled from
a central HQ. The trains will run at
maximum speeds of 80 km/hr in urban
areas and 130 km/hr in suburban
areas.16
Lusail LRT will consist of four main
tram lines in the newly developing
city of Lusail which is 15km north of
Doha. The 10.4km of underground
track and 22.7km of ground level and
elevated tracks feature a third rail that
utilises Alimentation Par le Sol (APS)
technology to provide ground level
12 Ibid
13 International rail Journal, 2015: A key year for
Oman Rail, 11/03/2015
14 Construction Week Online, Bids in for Phase One
of Oman Rail, 05/03/2015
15MEED, Qatar Integrated Rail Project, 12/11/2014
15 Unstudio, Qatar Integrated Rail Project
16 Global Mass Transit Report, Rail-based transit
projects in Qatar: Upcoming opportunities,
10/09/2012
6
power supply to the trams, eliminating
the need for overhead cabling.17 The
LRT will also be linked to the Doha
Metro Red Line, improving public
transport access between the two cities
when services start in 2018.18
Kuwait: A long-awaited
metro system
Length: 160km
Investment value: $7 billion
Project initiated: 2015
Estimated project completion
date: 2022
“I think the market and the opportunity
in the region now is better than it has
ever been for transport public-private
partnerships and rail in particular
because it is the most active market
and the one that offers the greatest
opportunities.” Trevor Butcher, Head
of Finance and Projects, DLA Piper
Middle East.
Project details: Plans for a Kuwaiti
metro system have suffered a long
history of being brought to the table
only to be swept off it again due to
numerous economic and political
difficulties as well as conflicting urban
transport priorities. Feasibility plans
for a dedicated metro were seriously
discussed in 2008 but were put on
hold once again until enthusiasm for
the project dwindled.
However, under new leadership and
with updated feasibility studies carried
out, the prospect of the Kuwait metro
system looks closer than ever before
as construction tenders are slated to
begin in early 2016.
The 160km metro network will
comprise of five lines complete with
68 stations. It will be almost 60%
underground in order to maximise
its coverage without impacting
negatively on road congestion levels
within Kuwait.19
The metro system will be built via
public-private partnership vehicles
where 50% of the shares will be offered
to Kuwaiti investors, with between 26
and 44% held by international project
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developers and investors. The final
6% to 24% will be held in trust by
the Kuwaiti Government. Given the
success this PPP method has had in
the Middle East in driving international
investment and attracting expertise, it is
expected to help create the exemplary
metro network that Kuwait both needs
and deserves.
UAE: Etihad Rail
Location: Railway connections
across all seven emirates of the UAE
as well as GCC Rail Link connections “Oman Rail is one
Length: 1,200 km big, ambitious and
Investment value: $11 billion complete network.
We are determined
Project initiated: 2008
to link our three
Estimated project completion date:
2018
major ports in the
county — Sohar,
“The plan is to connect the entire
GCC by 2018. However, in the UAE,
Duqm and Salalah
we are probably ahead of the other — with other GCC
states. Oman announced last week
countries through this
that it will be launching its railway
network by 2017 and hence that important project.”
would expedite our connection with Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin
Oman. Saudi’s railway development Salim Al Futaisi, Oman’s
is also in the pipeline – they have Minister of Transport and
started the implementation process. Communications
We are hopeful that by 2018, all
connections will be completed.” –
Abdulla Mohamed Al Nuaimi, Minister
of Public Works and Chairman of the
UAE’s National Transport Authority
“The dynamism of the region’s
transportation infrastructure segment
is driving innovation with the UAE
emerging as a leader with plans to
introduce various mass transportation
systems including the Etihad Rail
project in Abu Dhabi and the Route
2020 project in Dubai,” – Alex Heuff,
Exhibition Director, NATRANS Arabia
17 Railway Technology, Lusail Light Rail Transit, Qatar,
18 Qatar Construction News, Lusail Light Rail Transit
to start service in 2018, 18/07/2015
19 Gulf News, Phase 2 of Etihad Railway on Track,
04/03/2015
UPDATE ON RAIL INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST 7

“I think the market
and the opportunity
in the region now
is better than it
has ever been for
transport public-
private partnerships
and rail in particular
because it is the
most active market
and the one that
offers the greatest
opportunities.”
Trevor Butcher, Head of Finance
and Projects, DLA Piper Middle
East.
WWW.RAILOPERATIONALREADINESS.COM
Project details: The Etihad Railway
Project has already completed Phase
One consisting of a 264-kilometre-
long stretch and work on the
628 kilometres of Phase Two is
currently progressing at pace. Once
completed, the federal rail network
will connect up each of the seven
Emirates, easing congestion on the
busy road system and improving the
safety, convenience and comfort of
travelling throughout the UAE.
In addition, the Etihad Railway will
encompass the connections to
the Omani and Saudi borders that
represent the UAE’s contribution to
the Gulf Cooperation Council Rail
Link.20 The UAE’s commitment to the
project can be seen in the progress it
has made in developing these cross-
border links ahead of schedule.
Next Generation Rail
Transport for the Middle
East
“The Middle East has one of the
lowest density rail networks in the
world, with just under 34,000km of
track over a landmass of 15 million
square kilometre. The boom in the
construction of railway infrastructure
is expected to double the track
network to 67,000km and create
huge opportunities for local and
international businesses.” – MEED
As each of the respective countries
of the Middle East carefully
considers how best to successfully
UPDATE ON RAIL INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST
accommodate their expanding
populations and rising urbanisation
rates, the development of advanced
and efficient rail networks becomes
an increasingly favourable tool
of providing mass transport in a
sustainable manner.
As their road networks suffer
heightened strain, the value of
encouraging increased public
transport becomes equally clear. This
priority is evident in the rapidly rising
number of metro, LRT and tramway
projects emerging for tender in the
GCC and elsewhere in the Middle
East.
Furthermore, cross-nation coverage
by expanded rail networks offers
myriad opportunities for improved
mobility of commuters, business
visitors and tourists. Additionally, the
need for mass freight movement
is encouraging Middle Eastern
governments to turn to rail
development in order to achieve
a wide variety of their long-term
economic goals.
Considering these circumstances,
it is safe to say that the $200 billion
currently invested in Middle Eastern
rail development projects is likely to
be the start, rather than the end of the
rail construction trend in the region.
Even more ambitious urban transport
and international freight plans are
already under consideration and
their implementation represents a
golden opportunity for the region’s rail
infrastructure industry.
8
ACHIEVING INTEROPERABILITY
“The plan is
to connect the
entire GCC by
2018. However, in
the UAE, we are
probably ahead of
the other states.
Oman announced
last week that it
will be launching
its railway network
by 2017 and hence
that would expedite
our connection
with Oman. Saudi’s
railway development
is also in the pipeline
– they have started
the implementation
process. We are
hopeful that by 2018,
all connections will
be completed.”
Abdulla Mohamed Al Nuaimi,
Minister of Public Works and
Chairman of the UAE’s National
Transport Authority
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Railways and metro lines have
assumed a greater level of
importance – and hence investment
– throughout the Middle East as
the region’s respective countries
aim to improve public transport,
ease congestion and encourage
urban mobility through safe,
fast, comfortable and reliable rail
travel. An estimated $200 billion
of investments have been made
to develop the various national
projects that involve the construction
of an additional 40,000km of
both main line and urban railway
infrastructure across the GCC.1
Not only are there vast railway
construction projects occurring
in each of the GCC countries, the
Gulf Cooperation Council Rail Link
– a hugely ambitious $15 billion
undertaking that aims to forge
permanent rail links between every
GCC member nation – is quickly
evolving from the pipe dream of 2005
into a solid reality.
As each of the member states works
to complete their cross-border
rail connections, the entire project
envisages the construction of a
2,177 km integrated network. Despite
delays in 2014 due to conflicting
economic and political priorities, the
project is pressing ahead with a firm
deadline of 2018.
Achieving it on time will require
continued cooperation between all
of the rail link’s partners and the
resolution of significant questions
regarding interoperability such as
rail gauge and signalling systems
to ensure safe and efficient travel
across the entire network once it
opens. This translates into ongoing
UPDATE ON RAIL INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST
opportunities for contractors and
technological solutions providers as
the railways of the GCC expand and
become even more interconnected.
Interoperability
Technologies used in GCC
Rail Link Developments
“Harmonising technical standards
and operating rules between
neighbouring countries is naturally
critical to the success of any regional
network. There is still much to be
done to harmonise standards, but
governments have recognised the
need to work together to address the
issue and are making good progress
towards achieving a solution.” – Dr
Amjad Bangash, Managing Director,
Rail at Bechtel Ltd (UK)
Each of these expansive and
ambitious national rail infrastructure
projects have their own GCC
Rail Link connections to their
neighbouring countries to consider.
In order to make the GCC Rail Link
a reality, it has been essential to
choose and implement the right
interoperability technologies to
ensure that the transition between
differing national railways is smooth
and, most importantly, safe.
ERTMS/ETCS – European Rail
Traffic Management System/
European Train Control System
Designed for the continental rail
network in Europe, ERTMS/ETCS is
a signalling standard that observes
a “common language” that connects
the track side system (ground) and
the train side system (on board).
The ERTMS/ETCS equalises the
incompatibilities among the national
9
train rules, since each country has
an own rail “language” to manage
train traffic. The system assists the
driver by providing all the required
information such as national rail
network speed limits, signalling
exchange data and transmission
techniques. This ensures high
safety levels for all international rail
operations.21
GSM-R – Global System for
Mobile Communications –
Railway
GSM-R or GSM-Railway is a digital
communications platform that
allows train drivers to contact railway
regulation centres instantly and
accurately wherever they are as the
system guarantees performance
at speeds up to 500km/h. As well
as providing a set of standardised
operational and safety features
for national and cross-border rail
networks, GSM-R also enables the
seamless integration of regional
services and applications such as
ETCS.22
Utilising this streamlined digital radio
system will allow the GCC Rail Link
to achieve greater interoperability
and safety standards while also
reducing operational costs.
CBTC – Communications-Based
Train Control
The next generation of train signalling
solutions, CBTC consists of three
elements – ATP (Automatic Train
Protection), ATO (Automatic Train
Operation) and ATS (Automatic Train
Supervision). These cooperative
systems integrate equipment
installed on the trains with land-
based equipment, using wireless
communications to collect position
information from trains and send
back control signals.23
Ultimately, this allows for safer and
more efficient train management as
the train’s exact position is known
much more accurately. This is an
essential interoperability factor as
the respective national rail operators
across the GCC will need to
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accurately monitor trains entering
and leaving their section of the
regional GCC Rail Link network and
direct them accordingly.
An Interconnected
Railway for a More
Connected GCC
“Our challenge will not just be
in how to ensure the success of
executing these projects from a
technical and operational point of
view, but on how to exploit the socio-
economic potential of these massive
“Harmonising
investments so to ensure the technical standards
multiplier effect into our economies.” and operating
– Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin
Salim Al Futaisi, Oman’s Minister of rules between
Transport and Communications neighbouring
The six member states of the GCC countries is naturally
came together to form a trading critical to the success
bloc in 1981 and the past 34 years
of economic coordination and
of any regional
integration have only fuelled their network. There is still
enthusiasm for further cooperative much to be done to
endeavours. The GCC Rail Link is a
tangible and emphatic example of harmonise standards,
this spirit of cooperation designed to but governments
help provide greater socio-economic
benefits for all member states.
have recognised the
need to work together
Even though the Rail Link only
represents a small fraction of the to address the issue
massive rail projects currently being and are making good
undertaken in the region – $15 billion
out of the total $200 billion invested –
progress towards
it has a greater significance than this achieving a solution.”
Dr Amjad Bangash, Managing
statistic suggests. The successful
Director, Rail at Bechtel Ltd (UK)
development of the GCC Rail
Link will lead to boosted tourism,
greater commercial opportunities for
international freight transportation
and perhaps most importantly,
the encouragement of further
supranational collaborative projects
in the future.
21 Qatar Today, On Track: The GCC Rail Opportunity,
18/11/2013
22 Nokia Networks, GSM-R
23 Rail Control Systems, So what is CBTC, what does
it offer and where are the shortfalls?, 21/10/2015
UPDATE ON RAIL INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST 10
RAIL OPERATIONAL READINESS
“There are many
obvious challenges
that arise from the
environment we are
in and many that arise
because the railway
is a new business
to the region. So, in
environmental terms
there is the obvious
issues of temperature
and the sometimes
barren environment,
but the environment
is not always as
barren as it looks, so
we have to be careful
not to disrupt the
fragile ecosystems
that you find in the
desert areas.”
Graeme Overall, Director of
Business Development, Etihad Rail
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As part of their efforts to
develop advanced, efficient and
environmentally sustainable transport
infrastructure, the respective
countries of the Middle East are
embarking on a series of impressive
railway construction projects. Major
cities are hugely expanding their
metro systems or even building
them from scratch, as is the case
in Riyadh, Jeddah and Doha.
National rail networks are also
being developed across the region,
massively increasing the levels of
their coverage, safety, reliability and
comfort.
The scale of the region’s railway
ambitions extends beyond the
borders of individual countries,
as the member states of the
GCC plan to join their respective
railways together in order to form
an interconnected, international rail
network that will be known as the
Gulf Cooperation Council Rail Link.
Overall, this surge of railway
development activity across the
Middle East represents around
$200 billion of investment in
order to build more than 10,000
km of railway lines along with its
supporting infrastructure. This
estimate is according to research
from His Excellency Dr Ahmed
Bin Mohammed Bin Salim Al
Futaisi, Minister of Transport and
Communications in Oman.24
While progressing swiftly and
surely with the construction
process is clearly a vital priority for
the stakeholders of these major
projects, equally vital are the
considerations for the resultant
networks’ long-term operational
readiness once the infrastructure
UPDATE ON RAIL INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST
is complete. The commencing
of operations for entirely new
railways carries a huge number
of difficulties and complications,
including maintenance planning and
asset readiness, service delivery,
safety assurance and accident
prevention, environmental impact
and sustainability to name but a few.
When the interoperability issues of
running an internationally connected
railway like the GCC Rail Link are
added to the picture, it becomes
clear that the Middle East has plenty
to consider.
The following sections outline the
key priorities of Middle Eastern
railway operators and how they are
preparing for optimal operational
readiness before the development of
their railways is completed.
Operational Readiness
– Preparing to Deliver
Environmental
Considerations
“There are many obvious challenges
that arise from the environment we
are in and many that arise because
the railway is a new business to
the region. So, in environmental
terms there is the obvious issues
of temperature and the sometimes
barren environment, but the
environment is not always as barren
as it looks, so we have to be careful
not to disrupt the fragile ecosystems
that you find in the desert areas.” –
Graeme Overall, Director of Business
Development, Etihad Rail
The environmental conditions of
24 Global Rail News, Return of the Railway – Eastern
Promise, 09/02/2015
11

the Middle East present a number
of pressing challenges that need to
be considered by all rail operators
in the region. To start with, the
region’s harsh climate, featuring high
temperatures, high wind speeds,
sand storms, moving sand dunes
and other hazards cannot be taken
lightly. These conditions require
precisely adapted rail technologies
in order to ensure optimal safety and
reliability levels.
For example, specific dust-proof
signalling technologies as well as
fully encapsulated and externally
lubricated/grease-free rail locking
systems are being deployed as
desert-specific solutions across the
more remote desert areas of the new
Saudi Arabian, UAE and Omani rail
networks.25
In addition, there are ecological
issues to consider, as the expansive
new railways cut across the
respective countries of the Middle
East, through remote areas that
have been previously undisturbed.
As such, rail operators are preparing
strategies to minimise the ecological
impact of their construction work and
subsequent rail operations.
For example, Etihad Rail developers
are protecting rare reptiles and other
wildlife in the Western Region by
carefully encouraging them away
from the projected construction
works. In addition, numerous animal
crossings have been incorporated
into the rail lines.26
Emergency Planning and
Accident Prevention
“At the forefront of Etihad Rail’s
convictions is to proactively ensure
WWW.RAILOPERATIONALREADINESS.COM
“At the forefront
of Etihad Rail’s
convictions is to
proactively ensure
a safe and secure railway for
employees, the public and any future a safe and secure
passengers, and to make a positive railway for employees,
contribution to the UAE community. the public and any
This philosophy has led Etihad
Rail to develop and implement a future passengers,
safety and security strategy that is and to make a positive
integrated in – and a fundamental
component of – the overall company contribution to the
management system.” – Etihad UAE community.
Rail “Zero Accident Performance” This philosophy
Strategy
has led Etihad Rail
Safety is of fundamental importance
to any transport network’s operations
to develop and
and the emerging rail systems of the implement a safety
Middle East are no exception. The and security strategy
desire to actively prevent accidents
has led Middle Eastern rail operators that is integrated in
to develop emergency planning and – and a fundamental
accident prevention plans similar
to that of Etihad’s “Zero Accident
component of – the
Performance” strategy. overall company
The strategy is committed to
management system.”
Etihad Rail
maintaining and promoting a safe
and healthy work environment as it
develops the UAE’s national railway
network through the achievement of
a wide range of aims, including:27
The regarding of health, safety and
the environment as a priority core
value
• Compliance with and exceeding
of all applicable federal UAE
and local HSE Laws, regulations
and codes of practice, including
the Abu Dhabi HSE Policy
requirements through a systematic
approach to best practice HSE
management
25 VoestAlpine, Railway Solutions for the Middle East,
2014
26Terapinn, Middle East Rail Projects Report, 05/2013
27Etihad Rail, Safety and Security – Zero Accident
Performance Strategy, 2015
UPDATE ON RAIL INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST 12
 • Active promotion of programmes
to deliver environmentally
sustainable solutions and
continuously raise awareness of
environmental issues
• Electing to actively work with
contractors and business
partners who share Etihad Rail’s
commitment to safety, particularly
those who demonstrate positive
HSE performance
• Commitment of appropriate
resources (safety technologies,
appropriate staffing levels, etc)
to achieve a safe, healthy, and
environmentally responsible
workplace.
Anticipating Customer
Requirements
It is essential to remember that rail
infrastructure is a means to an end,
not the final product. The true test of
the resultant railway’s value is how
it delivers its services to the end
users, whether this involves freight or
passenger transportation. As such,
the customers’ needs must be fully
anticipated and satisfied in order for
the railway to achieve a sustainable
return on investment.
Naturally, providing optimal speed,
reliability and safety levels for every
journey represents the core of rail
customer expectations but there
are myriad other considerations.
Reliable high-speed internet access
for train passengers is one such
consideration, as the provision
of such access allows for greater
relaxation and/or productivity for
users of smartphone and portable
computing technology. Global ICT
solutions provider Huawei has
already highlighted how GSM-R
“4G Ready” networks are building
WWW.RAILOPERATIONALREADINESS.COM UPDATE ON RAIL INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST
the next generation of railway in
the Middle East, including the
eventual inclusion of Wi-Fi access in
underground metro systems.28
Not only do broadband wireless
networks allow for optimised
railway operations by cutting
through the obsolescence of legacy
communications systems, they also
allow customers to enjoy unrestricted
access to their personal technology,
improving satisfaction levels.29
Maintenance Planning
and Quality Assurance
As the individual national rail projects
and the GCC Rail Link progress,
industry analysts continue to reiterate
the importance of comprehensive
maintenance planning as the Middle
East is a relative newcomer to
railways operations of this size and
scale.
Given the unique operating
conditions previously mentioned
(high temperatures, high winds and
dust, etc) it would be foolish for
operators to adopt a simple “copy
and paste” approach to maintenance
planning strategies already being
used elsewhere. Instead, the likes
of Qatar Rail, Etihad Rail and the
Saudi Railway Company are aiming
to develop their own bespoke
quality assurance and maintenance
planning strategies as a safeguard
against faults and system failures.
Through the application of risk
management principles, pre-emptive
28 Trade Arabia, Huawei highlights 4G-ready railway
networks, 07/04/2015
29 Railway Technology, The 4G Rail Revolution,
14/08/2013
13
maintenance checks and asset
management strategies, it is possible
for these operators to identify where
the risks are and how to take the
most appropriate and cost-effective
actions to mitigate them.
The necessity of these precautions
applies doubly to the GCC Rail
Link project, as there is a clear
and present need to ensure a
parity of standards across the
entire international network in order
to ensure safety and reliability.
Complete interoperability of railway
assets (transferring trains, signalling
equipment, etc) is essential if this
ambitious project is going to live up
to the expectations of its designers.
Rail Interoperability
“Harmonising technical standards
and operating rules between
neighbouring countries is naturally
critical to the success of any regional
network. There is still much to be
done to harmonise standards, but
governments have recognised the
need to work together to address the
issue and are making good progress
towards achieving a solution.” – Dr
Amjad Bangash, Managing Director,
Rail at Bechtel Ltd (UK)
In order to make the international
rail network a reality, it has been
essential to choose and implement
the right interoperability technologies
prior to completion.
WWW.RAILOPERATIONALREADINESS.COM
The utilisation of advanced
technologies such as ERTMS/ETCS “Harmonising
(European Rail Traffic Management
System/ European Train Control technical standards
System) GSM-R (Global System for and operating
Mobile Communications – Railway)
and CBTC (Communications-Based
rules between
Train Control) will allow the GCC Rail neighbouring
Link to achieve both interoperability
countries is naturally
and operational readiness upon
completion. This will ensure that the critical to the success
transition of trains between differing of any regional
national railways is smooth and,
most importantly, safe.30
network. There is still
much to be done to
The ERTMS/ETCS equalises the
incompatibilities among the national harmonise standards,
train rules, since each country has an but governments
own rail “language” to manage train
traffic.31 GSM-R or GSM-Railway is
have recognised the
a digital communications platform need to work together
that allows train drivers to contact to address the issue
railway regulation centres instantly
and accurately wherever they are as and are making good
the system guarantees performance progress towards
at speeds up to 500km/h. CBTC
systems integrate equipment
achieving a solution.”
Dr Amjad Bangash, Managing
installed on the trains with land-
Director, Rail at Bechtel Ltd (UK)
based equipment, using wireless
communications to collect position
information from trains and send
back control signals.32
30Qatar Today, On Track: The GCC Rail Opportunity,
18/11/2013
31 Ibid
32 Rail Control Systems, So what is CBTC, what does
it offer and where are the shortfalls?
UPDATE ON RAIL INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST 14
 Cross Sector Learning –
Operational Readiness
Perspectives from other
Industries
As the Middle Eastern rail operators
develop their infrastructure and prepare
to commence operations, their lack
of experience in running nation-wide
systems can be augmented by turning
to other established industries that are
facing similar obstacles and challenges.
Oil and Gas Industry:
Disaster response planning
Due to the underlying danger
of their operations, oil and gas
exploration and production operators
are required by national and
international regulations to maintain
comprehensive disaster response
plans for all conceivable incidents.
Not only does this mean observing
preventative measures to protect
against disasters (such as sound risk
management, maintenance planning,
etc) it also means preparing special
measures to be employed if the
worst occurs. The Middle Eastern
rail industry has been learning from
the oil and gas sector’s advanced
escape plan protocols that were
designed to help people escape
from confined spaces on oil rigs and
in refineries, as there are comparable
conditions in a post-disaster train
wreck site.33
In addition, the oil and gas sector’s
design of safety and monitoring
technologies that are used to supply
breathable air in disaster scenarios
are also being considered for use in
train carriages.34
WWW.RAILOPERATIONALREADINESS.COM UPDATE ON RAIL INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Aviation Industry: Security
“International airports have invested
heavily in solutions and strategies
designed to better protect their
passengers, assets and cargo. What
is more, there are strong parallels
between airports and railway stations
beyond the fact that both serve
as transport hubs.” – RTM, “What
can our railways learn from airport
security?”
 In any country in the world, airports
and railway stations can become
some of the most congested areas
of a transport network, particularly
during holidays, religious festivals
or international sporting events.
In order to prevent crime and
terrorism incidents from occurring,
airports employ cutting-edge
video surveillance management
technologies in order to scan crowds
and spot suspicious behaviour,
augmenting the awareness of their
staff.35
Another commonality shared by both
type of transport networks is that
their operations continue practically
non-stop, meaning that security
needs to be maintained around the
clock in order to protect staff, assets
and the public utilising their services.
Consequently, Middle Eastern
railway operators understand that
they need to emulate airports and
employ 24/7/365 failsafe security
systems that can stand up to
extreme circumstances such as
power outages, terrorist attacks and
disaster scenarios.36
33Draeger, Oil and Gas Emergency Response
34Ibid
35Rail Technology Magazine, What can our railways
learn from airport security?, 03/2014
36Ibid
15

Progress of National
Rail Networks and the
GCC Rail Link
“The GCC rail network is part of
a wider GCC economic merger
strategy, which in its turn, reflects a
certain will for political integration.
It is an opportunity to test the six
countries’ ability and readiness
to cooperate and implement
large-scale projects of strategic
importance. Besides boosting trade,
the rail network will connect all the
countries of the GCC to the main
ports of the Gulf and the Indian
Ocean to transport goods to the
rest of the world,” – Shadi Malak,
Executive Director of Commercial
and Operations, Etihad Rail
Each of the GCC countries are
forging ahead with their expansive
rail network projects, with a view to
linking them all together as part of
the interconnected GCC Rail Link.
This $15 billion project has swiftly
moved from a pipe dream in 2005
to a near reality that the respective
project contributors estimate will be
completed in 2018.37
As important as the Rail Link is,
economically and politically, it
only represents a small fraction of
the hundreds of billions of dollars
invested in the new national railways
being developed across the region.
Etihad’s extended railway envisages
another 1,200km built to improve
WWW.RAILOPERATIONALREADINESS.COM
“The GCC rail
network is part of a
wider GCC economic
merger strategy,
which in its turn,
the transport links of all seven
emirates.15 Oman is also created reflects a certain
a country-wide 2,135km long rail
will for political
network that will link its major port
cities of Sohar, Duqm and Salalah.38 integration. It is an
Qatar’s Integrated Rail Project is opportunity to test
even more expansive, with $43.62
billion invested in connecting the the six countries’
Doha Metro, Lusail Light Transit ability and readiness
Rail network and the long-distance
passenger and freight rail network.39
to cooperate and
implement large-
Finally, the commitment to railroad
investment demonstrated by Saudi
scale projects of
Arabia in the past few years is strategic importance.
nothing short of astounding, not Besides boosting
only in the scale of its rail ambitions
but also the planned speed of trade, the rail network
implementation for such huge will connect all the
projects. Over the next 25 years,
through the investment of almost
countries of the GCC
$100 billion, the Saudi railways will to the main ports
be transformed from a few lines of the Gulf and the
with limited coverage to a broad,
interconnected network that is Indian Ocean to
capable of transporting millions transport goods to
of domestic and international
passengers as well as millions
the rest of the world,”
Shadi Malak, Executive Director
of tonnes of commercial freight
of Commercial and Operations,
annually.40
Etihad Rail
37 Rail Journal, delivering the GCC’s Integrated
Railway, 11/03/2015
38Gulf News, Phase 2 of Etihad Railway on Track,
04/03/2015
39 International rail Journal, 2015: A key year for
Oman Rail, 11/03/2015
40 MEED, Qatar Integrated Rail Project, 12/11/2014
41Rail Journal, Saudi Arabia’s commitment to its rail
is breathtaking, 02/06/2014
UPDATE ON RAIL INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST 16
THE FUTURE OF RAIL TRANSPORT
IN THE MIDDLE EAST
“The Middle East has one of the
lowest density rail networks in the
world, with just under 34,000km of
track over a landmass of 15 million
square kilometre. The boom in the
construction of railway infrastructure
is expected to double the track
network to 67,000km and create
huge opportunities for local and
international businesses.” – MEED
As each of the respective countries
of the Middle East carefully
considers how best to successfully
accommodate their expanding
populations and rising urbanisation
rates, the development of advanced
and efficient rail networks becomes
an increasingly favourable tool
of providing mass transport in a
sustainable manner.
As their road networks suffer
heightened strain, the value of
encouraging increased public
transport becomes equally clear. This
priority is evident in the rapidly rising
number of metro, LRT and tramway
projects emerging for tender in the
WWW.RAILOPERATIONALREADINESS.COM
“The Middle East has
one of the lowest
density rail networks
in the world, with just
under 34,000km of
track over a landmass
of 15 million square
kilometre. The boom
in the construction of
railway infrastructure
is expected to
double the track
network to 67,000km
GCC and elsewhere in the Middle
East.
and create huge
opportunities for local
Furthermore, cross-nation coverage
by expanded rail networks offers
and international
myriad opportunities for improved businesses.” 
mobility of commuters, business MEED
visitors and tourists. Additionally,
the need for mass freight movement
is encouraging Middle Eastern
governments to turn to rail
development in order to achieve
a wide variety of their long-term
economic goals.
Considering these circumstances,
it is safe to say that the $200
billion currently invested in Middle
Eastern rail development projects
is likely to be the start, rather than
the end of the rail construction
trend in the region. Even more
ambitious urban transport and
international freight plans are already
under consideration and their
implementation represents a golden
opportunity for the region’s rail
infrastructure industry.
UPDATE ON RAIL INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST 17
Sources:
TOP RAIL PROJECTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
http://www.globalrailnews.com/2015/02/09/the-return-of-the-railway-eastern-promise/
http://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/news/saudi-arabia-rail-project-progresses
http://www.citymetric.com/transport/high-speed-rail-popping-all-over-world-heres-why-thats-good-thing-1282
http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20140323199556
http://www.saudirailways.org/portal/page/portal/PRTS/root/HHSR_ProjectBrief
http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/blogs/david-briginshaw/saudi-arabias-commitment-to-rail-is-breathtaking.html
http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-31514-qatar-to-invest-4362bn-in-rail-infrastructure/
http://www.meed.com/knowledge-bank/top-100-projects/Qatar-Integrated-Rail
http://www.unstudio.com/projects/qatar-integrated-railway-project-qirp
http://www.gulf-times.com/qatar/178/details/435234/pm-briefed-on-progress-of-doha-metro-project
http://www.globalmasstransit.net/archive.php?id=10867
http://www.arabianbusiness.com/gcc-said-face-struggle-meet-2020-regional-railway-deadline-604537.html
http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/lusail-light-rail-transit/
http://www.qatarconstructionnews.com/lusail-light-rail-transit-start-service-2018/
http://gulfbusiness.com/2015/01/gcc-rail-projects-see-investments-worth-200bn/#.Vdil-vlViko
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/oman/oman-on-track-for-2-244-km-railway-project-1.1211113
http://www.omanrail.om/
http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/middle-east/five-consortia-in-running-for-oman-rail-civils-contract.html
http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-32822-bids-in-for-phase-one-of-oman-rail/
http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/middle-east/2015-a-key-year-for-oman-rail.html
http://www.thenational.ae/uae/transport/optimism-that-gcc-rail-network-will-be-delivered-in-2017
http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/middle-east/delivering-the-gccs-integrated-railway.html
http://networks.nokia.com/ru/portfolio/industries/railways/gsm-railway
http://www.saudirailways.org/portal/page/portal/PRTS/root/Home/04_Expansion_Specification/04Expansion
http://saudigazette.com.sa/business/natrans-arabia-to-showcase-200-billion-transport-projects/

ACHIEVING INTEROPERABILITY
http://www.globalrailnews.com/2015/02/09/the-return-of-the-railway-eastern-promise/
http://www.qatartodayonline.com/on-track-the-gcc-rail-opportunity/
http://www.uaeinteract.com/docs/On_track;_Etihad_Rail_plans_to_link_key_cities_and_industrial_hubs_by_2018/55898.htm
http://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/news/saudi-arabia-rail-project-progresses
https://www.etihadrail.ae/sites/default/files/pdf/2001855_Etihad%20Rail%20Document%20Branding-2.pdf
http://www.railway-technology.com/features/feature-the-4g-rail-revolution-mobile-internet/
http://www.newcitiesfoundation.org/online-and-underground-2014/docs/OnlineAndUnderground_2014_Report.pdf
http://www.railway-technology.com/news/newsrail-networks-africa-middle-east-latin-america-double-2022
http://muslimvillage.com/2015/10/11/113875/saudi-social-impact-economic-change/
http://dohanews.co/qatar-rail-restarts-initial-bidding-process-long-distance-network/
https://www.bcogc.ca/industry-zone/documentation/Emergency-Response-and-Safety
http://www.draeger.com/sites/enus_us/Pages/Chemical-Industry/Oil-and-gas-exploration-Emergency-response.aspx
http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-Industry-Focus-/what-can-our-railways-learn-from-airport-security
http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/middle-east/delivering-the-gccs-integrated-railway.html
http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/phase-2-of-etihad-rail-on-track-1.1466633
http://www.meed.com/knowledge-bank/top-100-projects/Qatar-Integrated-Rail
http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/middle-east/2015-a-key-year-for-oman-rail.html
http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/blogs/david-briginshaw/saudi-arabias-commitment-to-rail-is-breathtaking.html

RAIL OPERATIONAL READINESS

http://www.citymetric.com/transport/high-speed-rail-popping-all-over-world-heres-why-thats-good-thing-1282
http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20140323199556
http://www.saudirailways.org/portal/page/portal/PRTS/root/HHSR_ProjectBrief
http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/blogs/david-briginshaw/saudi-arabias-commitment-to-rail-is-breathtaking.html
http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-31514-qatar-to-invest-4362bn-in-rail-infrastructure/
http://www.meed.com/knowledge-bank/top-100-projects/Qatar-Integrated-Rail
http://www.unstudio.com/projects/qatar-integrated-railway-project-qirp
http://www.gulf-times.com/qatar/178/details/435234/pm-briefed-on-progress-of-doha-metro-project
http://www.globalmasstransit.net/archive.php?id=10867
http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/lusail-light-rail-transit/
http://www.qatarconstructionnews.com/lusail-light-rail-transit-start-service-2018/
http://gulfbusiness.com/2015/01/gcc-rail-projects-see-investments-worth-200bn/#.Vdil-vlViko
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/oman/oman-on-track-for-2-244-km-railway-project-1.1211113
http://www.omanrail.om/
http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/middle-east/five-consortia-in-running-for-oman-rail-civils-contract.html
http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-32822-bids-in-for-phase-one-of-oman-rail/
http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/middle-east/2015-a-key-year-for-oman-rail.html
http://www.thenational.ae/uae/transport/optimism-that-gcc-rail-network-will-be-delivered-in-2017
http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/middle-east/delivering-the-gccs-integrated-railway.html
http://networks.nokia.com/ru/portfolio/industries/railways/gsm-railway

WWW.RAILOPERATIONALREADINESS.COM UPDATE ON RAIL INDUSTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST 18

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