It was only last month that Elon Musk hit the headlines after announcing plans for the Dubai Loop. The project, announced at the World Governments Summit, will involve the creation of an underground road network in the city.
It is expected to be similar to the Las Vegas Loop, which uses Tesla vehicles to carry convention centre visitors through high-speed tunnels to avoid the traffic on the roads above.
The proposal was eye-catching, but it certainly wouldn’t be the first time that planners have thought outside the box to find unique ways to solve transport issues. With that in mind, The National takes a look at some of the more unusual transport systems around the world.
Suspension monorail in Wuppertal, Germany
You would be forgiven for thinking the picture above was upside down. The elevated monorail system in Wuppertal, western Germany, has been operating since 1901 and was developed because the valley in the area made the creation of a traditional train system a challenge.
The unusual track design allows passengers to travel over roads and rivers without interruption.
Otherwise known as the Schwebebahn, more than 80,000 people use it each day. The system covers 13km of the city and has 20 stops, only four of which are above solid ground.
Monte sledges in Madeira, Portugal
These sledges are handmade using wicker and have been around since the 19th century. They are used to transport people in the parish of Monte in Madeira.
The toboggans are pushed by two drivers, called carreiros, along a 2km-long route to reach the city of Funchal. The carreiros wear a distinctive uniform of white shirts, trousers and straw hats.
They also have to wear specially made boots with extra-thick rubber soles, which act as brakes when they need to slow down during the trip, which takes about 10 minutes.
Maglev train in Shanghai, China
Operating since 2002, the name comes from the magnetic levitation used in its design. Reaching speeds of up to 431kph, the maglev trains can cover 30km in about eight minutes.
In 2003, it was awarded the Guinness World Record for the fastest train on the planet. It's not just the extraordinary speed that's notable, however. Trains move using electromagnets, enabling a smooth ride from the Longyang Road Station on the Shanghai subway line to Pudong International Airport.
Planners behind the hyperloop project between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which has been mooted for several years, are said to be considering using the maglev technology.
Outdoor escalator in Medellin, Colombia
Escalators are not what you would associate with hillsides. However, that's exactly what you will find in the Colombian city of Medellin as part of an urban regeneration plan.
Introduced in 2011, the escalator is divided into six sections and is said to reduce a 30-minute walk to just five minutes. It covers the equivalent of 30 storeys and cost about $7 million to install.
The region was notorious for drug-related violence in the 1980s and 1990s and was regarded by some as the trafficking capital of the world. The escalator is considered to be a key part of efforts to change the perception of one of the poorest areas of Colombia.
Amphibious bus in Rotterdam, Netherlands
The picture above might look like a bus driver trying to make his way through floods but it's actually a regular sight in Rotterdam, where the amphibious bus offers people a different way to get around the Dutch city.
The bus is unique in that it offers transport both by land and in water. It's built on the platform of a standard bus but has the hull of a boat, allowing it to float. It reaches speeds of up to eight knots an hour (15kph).
Norry bamboo train, Cambodia
This improvised rail system was introduced in Cambodia to make up for the absence of a standard rail network between Poipet and Phnom Penh. Travellers can take trips on platforms made from bamboo, known as a norries, travelling at speeds of up to 30kph.
An engine powers the norries along the track and it runs for 4km. While a traditional rail service is now available, the norries still prove a popular attraction for tourists.
Some more experienced travellers on the norries are said to prefer to lie on their stomachs to make the journey feel more exciting.
Trampe bicycle lift in Trondheim, Norway
One of the most daunting challenges for cyclists is having to climb a steep hill. Norwegians might just have cracked it, though, with the bicycle lift in Trondheim, which helps cyclists to reach the top of a 122-metre hill in the city.
Cyclists can press a button to release a foothold, which proceeds to slide them up the track. Up to 30,000 people a year use the bicycle lift, which has been in operation since 1993. The website for the lift comes with a warning for first-time users, urging them to bend their leg and lean forward to avoid falling off. Those unsure about using such a lift might find solace in the fact it only travels at 5kph.
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Haircare resolutions 2021
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
RACE CARD
6.30pm Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,200
7.05pm Handicap Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
7.40pm Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 1,400m
9.25pm Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 2,000m
The National selections:
6.30pm Underwriter
7.05pm Rayig
7.40pm Torno Subito
8.15pm Talento Puma
8.50pm Etisalat
9.25pm Gundogdu
Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 1 (Rashford 36')
Liverpool 1 (Lallana 84')
Man of the match: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
Company Profile
Name: JustClean
Based: Kuwait with offices in other GCC countries
Launch year: 2016
Number of employees: 130
Sector: online laundry service
Funding: $12.9m from Kuwait-based Faith Capital Holding
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Levante v Real Mallorca (12am)
Leganes v Barcelona (4pm)
Real Betis v Valencia (7pm)
Granada v Atletico Madrid (9.30pm)
Sunday
Real Madrid v Real Sociedad (12am)
Espanyol v Getafe (3pm)
Osasuna v Athletic Bilbao (5pm)
Eibar v Alaves (7pm)
Villarreal v Celta Vigo (9.30pm)
Monday
Real Valladolid v Sevilla (12am)
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The specs: 2018 Renault Koleos
Price, base: From Dh77,900
Engine: 2.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 170hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 233Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.3L / 100km
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
WORLD RECORD FEES FOR GOALKEEPERS
1) Kepa Arrizabalaga, Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea (£72m)
2) Alisson, Roma to Liverpool (£67m)
3) Ederson, Benfica to Manchester City (£35m)
4) Gianluigi Buffon, Parma to Juventus (£33m)
5) Angelo Peruzzi, Inter Milan to Lazio (£15.7m
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
General%20Classification
%3Cp%3E1.%20Elisa%20Longo%20Borghini%20(ITA)%20Trek-Segafredo%3Cbr%3E2.%20Gaia%20Realini%20(ITA)%20Trek-Segafredo%207%20secs%3Cbr%3E3.%20Silvia%20Persico%20(ITA)%20UAE%20Team%20ADQ%201%20min%2018%20secs%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO
Everton 0
Manchester City 2 (Laporte 45 2', Jesus 90 7')
BACK%20TO%20ALEXANDRIA
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETamer%20Ruggli%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENadine%20Labaki%2C%20Fanny%20Ardant%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre flat-six twin-turbocharged
Transmission: eight-speed PDK automatic
Power: 445bhp
Torque: 530Nm
Price: Dh474,600
On Sale: Now
Results
5pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner No Riesgo Al Maury, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner Marwa W’Rsan, Sam Hitchcott, Jaci Wickham.
6pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner Dahess D’Arabie, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi.
6.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m
Winner Safin Al Reef, Connor Beasley, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
7pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 2,200m
Winner Thulbaseera Al Jasra, Shakir Al Balushi, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
7.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh 80,000 2,200m
Winner Autumn Pride, Szczepan Mazur, Helal Al Alawi.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
