The world’s longest unmanned metro has begun operation in Saudi Arabia.

Rail vehicles moving along fixed routes are among the first to be automated. The authorities of Saudi Arabia announced that the world’s longest unmanned metro system is starting to operate in the capital of this state. Three lines of this system were put into operation on December 1 of this year.

Image source: Hufton+Crow, New Atlas

Another driverless metro line will be launched in Riyadh in January next year, after which two more will join it. In total, the length of automated metro lines reaches 176 km, the transport system covers key areas of the capital of Saudi Arabia and business centers, as well as cultural attractions. There are 85 stations in total and their interiors are carefully designed to facilitate navigation and traffic.

The system is designed for a daily passenger flow of 3.6 million people, it is designed to reduce congestion on the capital’s surface roads and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 12.5 million tons per year. The Saudi metro will use electric trains Alstom Metropolis (69 units) and Innovia Metro (47 units) as rolling stock. According to local tradition, the carriages will be divided into three classes: first class, family and bachelors. The carriages are equipped with LED lighting, information displays and an air conditioning system. The automatic train control system has already been tested in Budapest, Sydney and Taipei. Automation controls the smooth movement of trains between stations and car door drives. Passenger access to the tracks is prevented by special protective screens with sliding doors.