The UAE: A Promising Market for the Latest Sustainable Transportation Innovations

Global Rail 2025, the world's biggest rail and transport infrastructure conference, wrapped up in Abu Dhabi this week. The event brought together major global companies at a time when the UAE and Gulf region are seeing rapid growth in railway development, driven by massive investments in strategic projects.

The timing couldn't be better. The UAE is becoming a key market that attracts international rail companies, thanks to ambitious infrastructure plans and substantial government backing. Several company representatives at the event highlighted how the Emirates offers a promising environment for cutting-edge transport solutions.

**Hassan Allam Construction is betting big on the region**

Ahmed Abu Deishish, Senior Transport Projects Manager at Hassan Allam Construction, called the UAE rail market "strategically vital" for his company. The firm is currently working on the Hafeet Rail project, which will connect the UAE and Oman in partnership with Siemens. Hassan Allam handles power systems and communications for the project.

"We're targeting more strategic projects within the UAE, including the Union Train project and the high-speed rail between Abu Dhabi and Dubai," Abu Deishish said. The company has created a dedicated sustainability department and already completed several projects meeting global environmental standards.

**French engineering firm SYSTRA tackles desert challenges**

Eric Provost, Innovation Manager at SYSTRA, emphasized how dynamic the Middle East rail market has become. His company is showcasing a concrete slab track technology designed specifically for desert conditions - it prevents sand accumulation that can clog gravel layers and cause train breakdowns.

SYSTRA continues its partnership with Etihad Rail after winning last year's innovation award at Global Rail for developing digital twin technology. The company brought experts from Australia and Canada to this year's event, showing how seriously it takes the regional market.

**Local startup goes from idea to Dubai Metro in four years**

Future Maintenance Technologies, founded just four and a half years ago, is already working with Dubai Metro through partnerships with the Roads and Transport Authority, Keolis, and Mitsubishi. CEO Saad Khan explained how their fully autonomous inspection vehicle eliminates the need for manual track inspections.

"This smart vehicle digitizes inspection processes and collects precise data about rail condition and deterioration over time," Khan said. The company designs various robots, including train inspection units and fully autonomous drones for maintenance operations.

**British company uses AI to keep camels off train tracks**

Innovation Factory, a British firm, unveiled an AI-powered system that warns camels and other animals away from railway lines. CEO Anwar Al-Majarkash said the UAE provides an ideal environment for adopting advanced transport solutions.

The solar-powered system uses smart cameras and warning sounds to detect animals up to 50 meters away, with alert sounds reaching 150 meters. If camels are spotted on tracks, the system sends direct warnings to train drivers so they can slow down and take necessary precautions.

The technology addresses a real problem in desert regions where livestock and wildlife can wander onto rail lines, potentially causing accidents or delays.

For investors and industry watchers, Global Rail 2025 showed how the Gulf region is becoming a testing ground for next-generation rail technology. Companies are bringing their most advanced solutions here, knowing that success in the UAE market often opens doors across the Middle East and beyond.