As any regular flyer will know, sometimes it is more aggravating waiting to be taken to your aircraft than it is getting through the departure gate the first place.
In another world's first, however, Dubai Airports aims to eliminate that hassle for passengers at Dubai International (DXB) Terminal 2.
The latest innovation takes the form of an intelligent traffic system (ITS), which optimises the coordination of buses used to shuttle passengers from T2 departure gates to the aircraft.
The use of new technology to improve service and boost capacity as part of its DXB Plus programme is designed to elevate capacity at DXB to 118 million by 2023.
“It is another world first for DXB. It is the first time this technology has been implemented and used in this manner,” said Bryan Thompson, the senior vice president – development at Dubai Airports. “The system is fail-safe, and provides a fully automated solution to coordinate bus scheduling which in turn reduces wait times for departing passengers.”
The new system improves efficiency by ensuring buses are fully utilised, increasing the average number of passengers per bus trip from 40 to over 60. It reduces the number of bus trips by 20 per cent which in turn limits fuel burn and emissions. And it alleviates congestion during peak operations, according to Dubai Airports
“DXB Plus initiatives are in line with smart government and proof that technology can be applied to many parts of our business to improve the passenger experience, boost efficiency and help us augment capacity,” said Mr Thompson.
And the new system will benefit a significant number of air travellers. DXB is the world’s number one airport in terms of international passenger traffic and number three globally in terms of total passenger traffic as reported by Airports Council International.
chnelson@thenational.ae
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Hydrogen: Market potential
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Rain Management
Year started: 2017
Based: Bahrain
Employees: 100-120
Amount raised: $2.5m from BitMex Ventures and Blockwater. Another $6m raised from MEVP, Coinbase, Vision Ventures, CMT, Jimco and DIFC Fintech Fund
Arabian Gulf Cup FINAL
Al Nasr 2
(Negredo 1, Tozo 50)
Shabab Al Ahli 1
(Jaber 13)
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
