Our commitment to sustainable environmental and economic development

Fencing

All the Etihad Rail right-of-way corridors and facilities are segregated by different types of fencing, including boundary, sand mitigation, security, anti-dazzle and military fences. Fence installation ensures a secure environment for the rail network, keeping rail corridors safe and maintainable during operations while also providing a secure and well maintained environment for people and wildlife in the surrounding areas.

The general public is invited to report any instances of fence incursions (animal, accidental, weather related etc.) on the Etihad Rail Emergency Number: 800 SIQA (800 – 7472).

Environmental Assessment

Etihad Rail carries out constant Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) to minimise the environmental effects of the railway throughout its planning, development, construction and operation.

Contractor Responsibilities

Etihad Rail has set out a comprehensive range of standards and guidelines to ensure that all contractors on site conform to a uniform, consistent and acceptable level of environmental performance and to protect the bio-environmental conditions.

The company works in close coordination with the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture & Tourism, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, and the equivalent authorities throughout the Emirates, taking every precaution possible to preserve the UAE’s natural environment and heritage.Etihad Rail undertakes a range of measures, such as close monitoring of wildlife movement patterns and protecting their natural habitat, to ensure that any interference is minimised. Etihad Rail avoids wildlife breeding sites, particularly in the case of rare or endangered species, throughout the construction of the railway, and ensures that any vegetation in the path of railway routes is carefully extracted and re-planted.

While trains are one of the most environmentally friendly modes of transport, Etihad Rail has taken further action to minimise its environmental impact, implementing the stringent standards employed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with regards to engine emission levels. Under these measures, Etihad Rail has ensured that its locomotives meet Tier 3 engine emission levels, which minimises environmental impact by monitoring and lowering exhaust emissions produced by locomotives, controlling nitrogen oxide, sulphur oxide, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter and carbon monoxide.

Built to the very highest international standards, Etihad Rail’s state-of-the-art network will act as a catalyst for economic growth and sustained social development. The railway will redefine logistics and transport in the region, providing a modern, safe, efficient and sustainable network which will connect the seven emirates of the UAE to its neighbouring GCC countries.

The cost-effective railway network incorporates energy efficiency and sustainability while providing unique solutions for freight movement, distribution, handling, logistics and clearances. The railway network will link the principal centres of population and industry of the UAE, and will form a vital part of the planned railway network across the GCC.