The first next-generation tram designed to withstand Dubai’s high temperatures on the Al-Sufouh tram has been manufactured by France’s Alstom.

The tram is now going through a series of tests, including being placed in a climatic chamber to check its resistance to extreme heat, according to Vincent Prou, managing director UAE at Alstom Transport Dubai.

The tram is one of 11 trams that will travel over 10 kilometres of phase 1 of the planned track that connects Dubai Marina with Media City and Knowledge Village.  Phase 2 of the project has not been fully confirmed yet, but is expected to cover 4km and connect with Mall of the Emirates and the Burj al-Arab hotel.

The design of the tram is one of the unique aspects of the tram that is currently under construction. The design of the nose of the tram, which consists of sharp lines to reflect the “cut of a diamond” has been designed specifically with Dubai in mind.

The design of the network ensures that it integrates with other forms of public transport. It will connect with both the JLT and Dubai Marina metro stations as well as connect with the monorail on the Palm Jumeirah.

Along the whole line, there are plans to build a pedestrian path and bicycle route.

The tram is expected to be relatively fast with a design speed of 22 kilometres per hour – in the upper range for speed for such a tram and could potentially run at faster speeds.