The world's longest driverless metro system

Saudi Arabia has launched the Riyadh Metro driverless metro system, which can carry 3.6 million passengers per day when completed.

Saudi Arabia is working to transform the country into a future tourist paradise with projects like The Line Vertical City and the Mukaab cube building. Authorities have just inaugurated a new driverless metro system described as the world's longest , New Atlas reported.

KAFD metro station by Zaha Hadid Architects. (Photo: Hufton+Crow).

The Riyadh Metro began operating on December 1, opening three lines (one more will be added in January 2025 and two more after that). The system will be 176 km long and will connect key districts, commercial centers and landmarks in the Saudi Arabian capital. With a capacity of 3.6 million passengers per day when fully completed, the new network will significantly reduce road traffic in Riyadh, thereby reducing CO2 emissions by 10.8 million tons annually.

The Riyadh Metro has a total of 85 metro stations. The most notable of these is the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) metro station designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. The station has a carefully calculated layout to help passengers find their way around. The station's exterior has an eye-catching curved lattice shape that helps relieve the capital's summer heat.

69 Alstom Metropolis and 47 Innovia Metro trains are used to transport passengers, all of which are electric. They are arranged in three classes: first class, family class and single class, and include ergonomic seats, LED lighting, air conditioning and a passenger information system. The trains also run automatically and have been part of driverless transport systems in Budapest, Hungary, Sydney, Australia, and Taipei, Taiwan.

"This is a driverless train. Train movement is protected by a modern signalling system, which controls train speed, ensuring safe and smooth operation, including automatic door opening. Fully air-conditioned metro stations are equipped with barrier doors to prevent people from approaching the tracks. The trains also feature an advanced passenger information system that provides real-time information to passengers via screens and speakers on the trains and platforms," ​​said Alstom, the metro supplier for the project.