Dubai Airport Launches world’s 1st AI Passenger Corridor

Dubai Airport (DXB) is now home to World first Artificial Intelligence powered corridor, allowing multiple travelers to pass through immigration controls within seconds. The corridor, referred to as the “red carpet,” allows passengers to walk through without presenting documents or stopping at immigration desks.

The new service allows up to 10 people to pass through at the same time, without having to stop or present identification documents, according to local newspaper Gulfnews.com.

The airport systems now recognize passenger data even before they arrive at border crossings, said Lieutenant General Mohamed Ahmed Al Marri, Director-General of the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai.

The new AI-powered corridor also speeds up processes and doubles the capacity of airports, as multiple passengers can be processed at once. In addition, AI also helps in detecting violations as it refers any suspicious passport directly to forgery experts, Al Marri added.

The new service is the first of its kind worldwide and comes as part of an integrated system that puts the experience of "boundless travel" within travelers' reach, Al Marri stated.

DXB maintained its position as the world’s busiest airport in terms of international passenger traffic for 2024, according to a report by Airports Council International (ACI) World.

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Saudi Arabia’s high speed train cuts Mecca - Medina travel time

The Saudi Arabian Haramain High-Speed Railway significantly reduces travel time between Mecca and Medina. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s fast train service, the Haramain Express, allows Umrah pilgrims to travel from the holy city of Makkah to Madinah in just 2 hours and 20 minutes, local media reported.

Moreover, the Saudi Arabia temporarily closing entry for Umrah pilgrims to shift focus to the upcoming Hajj season, many prospective pilgrims are looking ahead and planning for future journeys. One of the most efficient and comfortable ways to travel between Mecca and Medina the Haramain High-Speed Railway - a modern and reliable alternative to road travel.

What Is the Haramain High-Speed Railway?
Launched in 2018, the Haramain High-Speed Railway was specifically developed to facilitate the movement of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. The train operates at speeds of up to 300 km/h, connecting the cities of Jeddah, Mecca), and Medina, and covering a distance of 450km.

With up to 50 trips made daily, this high-speed rail service plays a crucial role during the Hajj pilgrimage, swiftly transporting thousands of passengers on their sacred journey.

How to travel between Mecca and Medina with the Haramain High-Speed Railway. The train guide with ticket prices, booking steps, stations and travel tips.

Train route and key stations

The Haramain High-Speed Railway covers a mainline track of 449.2km and includes a 3.75km branch that links to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. The train efficiently connects major cities and pilgrimage points, helping travelers reach their destination on time.

Below are the five key train stations along the route:
* Makkah Station: Located in the Ar Rusayfah District, approximately 3.5 km from Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah Al Mukarramah.
* Al-Sulimaniyah, Jeddah Station: Situated in the An Nassim District, 20 km from King Abdulaziz International Airport.
* King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) Station: Integrated within the Main Airport Terminal Building.
* King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) Station: Positioned near the Hejaz Gate of KAEC, 18 km from King Abdullah Port.
* Madinah Station: Located in the Al Hadra District, about 9 km from the city of Madinah.

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Dubai Smart cameras catch drivers using mobile even if cars are tinted

The advanced systems are designed to detect various violations, such as not wearing seat belts, mobile phone usage, and other distractions from the road. Impressively, they can capture these violations even if the vehicle’s windscreen is tinted."

The Director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police, said on Friday dated 08/11/2024 that advanced smart traffic cameras recently identified serious cases of distracted driving. “In one instance, a driver was caught using two phones at once while driving, while another was seen reading a newspaper, obstructing the view of the road,” he added.

Advanced photo technology
Explaining the technology to Khaleej Times, Youssef Al Hansali, CEO of Vitronic Machine Vision, said: “The smart camera system is capable of detecting if a motorist uses a mobile phone via advanced photo technology coupled with artificial intelligence.”

“A front-facing photo of the violating motorist is taken and processed by the UAE authorities for further action. It is important to understand that the system works very well from the front, but also from the side angle, and it is even able to penetrate tinted car windows,” added Al Hansali, whose company “has installed a variety of cutting-edge enforcement systems in the UAE".

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Omani - UAE Construction of railway network project begin

The Etihad Rail, Oman Rail and Mubadala Investment Company have entered into an agreement to commence the construction of the Omani-Emirati railway network project. The agreement was signed during the state visit of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Sultan of Oman, to the UAE.

The joint railway network, which would require a total investment of US$3 billion, will amplify the UAE and Oman as gateways to regional markets. The network will also pave the way for job creation in various sectors in both countries.

The network will facilitate cross-border trade, connecting commercial ports to railways within the two countries. A single freight train journey will be able to transport more than 15,000 tonnes of cargo - or around 270 standard containers.

Hafeet Rail will contribute to the development of various sectors in both countries, such as mining, iron and steel, agriculture and food, retail, e-commerce, and the petrochemical sector.

The passenger rail services will connect population centres, fostering social and familial cohesion, while supporting the tourism sector. The passenger train can reach speeds of up to 200 kilometres per hour, covering the distance between Sohar and Abu Dhabi in 100 minutes, and Sohar and Al Ain in 47 minutes. One train can accommodate up to 400 passengers.

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Dubai announces to build World Largest Airport

The Dubai government on Sunday dated 28-04-2024 approved designs for a new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport, began construction at a cost of Dhs 128 billion ($34.8 billion) as the emirate boosts airport capacity to meet growing travel demand.

Once the above project is complete, Al Maktoum International Airport will have “the world’s largest capacity”, reaching up to 260 million passengers, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said on X.

It will be five times bigger than the current Dubai International Airport, which is currently ranked the top globally for international passenger traffic.

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