Marine Integration Study for Metro Line Development, Dubai

Requirements

During the development of the Dubai Metro Purple Line (DPL) alignment and station design, it was identified that there were opportunities for marine transport to be integrated with a number of the DPL Stations. 

We supported Parsons Brinckerhoff to undertake a preliminary marine transportation masterplan and an intermodal terminal requirements study to identify the opportunities and value of adding marine connectivity.  

Solutions

A particular focus was the development of piers that could readily integrate with the station structures – the design of which was nearing completion. The study included:

• The planning context: review of marinas, ferry fleet, pier viability and development;
• Forecast of ferry patronage and berthing requirements at inter-modal hub stations;
• The identification of passenger flow drivers and developed spatial planning requirements;
• Integrated marine facilities within the station developments.

Benefits

Sustainability – Marine access was included at the stations where valuable – with particular linkage being identified for transits to and from the major coastal and offshore communities that were being developed at that time.

Innovation – The piers were all set in narrow coastal channels and a series of boarding ramps and pontoons were developed that could expand with increasing demand, while maintaining good accessibility.

Added Value – The marine piers were small compared to the size of many of the stations, but were designed in a complementary style with maximum use of prefabricated components.