uSky Test & Certification Center
uSky Test & Certification Center is located in Sharjah (UAE). It showcases uST Transport & Infrastructure Complexes.
The rolling stock already tested in the Belarusian EcoTechnoPark is showcased on a flexible type of string rail overpass. In addition, uSky functions as a base for R&D activities in the natural and climatic conditions of the tropics, which will enable the future development of the string rail network in the area and around the globe.
The uSky Center is part of the SRTIP Research Technology Park, affiliated with the American University of Sharjah. It is expected to provide transport communication for local campuses and to serve as a showroom in the Middle East.
The R&D center has a transport and infrastructure complex with the flexible 400-m track structure, anchoring structures, stations, control room, repair shop and other auxiliary premises. Different models of string transport are demonstrated, which are passenger four-seat uCar and cargo uCont for transportation of 20-ft shipping containers.
uSky Test & Certification Center, Sharjah (UAE), 2020. uCont (right) and uCar in tropical version (left) on the flexible string rail overpass
uSky Test & Certification Center, Sharjah (UAE), 2020. Control room (left) and string transport passenger station (right)
In August 2021, the uSky Center held certification activities on the safety requirements of the transport and infrastructure complex.
An independent international company TUV SW confirmed the safety of the tropical complex developed by Unitsky String Technologies Inc. The certificate of conformity covers all major elements of uST complex:
- string rail overpass (including track structure, anchor and backup supports)
- steel-wheeled electric cars with automated control system (uPods)
- passenger and service station (including repair shop)
- control room
uSky Test & Certification Center, Sharjah (UAE), 2020. Tropical uCar passes through an supporting tower
The advantages of the transport and infrastructure complexes demonstrated at the uSky Test & Certification Center have already been recognized by a number of high-ranking guests interested in deploying uST in their regions. King Letsie III of Lesotho, Brazil’s first astronaut Marcos Pontes, Colombia’s Transportation Minister Angela Maria Orozco Gomez, Rwandan Ambassador to the UAE Emmanuel Hategeka, owner of a major construction company in the UAE Mawarid Group Mohamed A. Al Eid, Brazilian Ambassador to the UAE Fernando Luiz Lemos Igreja, as well as hundreds of other distinguished guests from more than 30 countries: businessmen, diplomats, government officials and representatives of the transportation industry.
uSky Test and Certification Center, Sharjah (UAE), 2020. On the left – a checkpoint on the territory of the Center, on the right – a uСont in a tropical design left the cargo and passenger terminal
Implemented Transport & Infrastructure Complexes
Flexible string rail overpass
- It has the simplest and most functional design, which makes its construction one of the most affordable and fastest options for solving the transport logistics problems. It can be built in a short time, including in areas with hostile terrain.
Specifications
- Length (with anchoring structures) – 475 m
- Distance between supporting towers – from 100 to 200 m
- Number of supporting towers – 2 pcs
- Height of supporting towers – 11.3 m
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating – 8 t
- Track structure pre-tensioning force (total) – 180 tf
uSky Test & Certification Center, Sharjah (UAE), 2020. Tropical uCar on the flexible string rail overpass
Transport & Infrastructure Complexes under construction
Semi-flexible heavy-duty string rail overpass
- It allows traveling of heavy uPods weighing more than 30 tons. It has extensive supportless spans – more than 250 meters long, which makes it possible to overcome water obstacles, mountain gorges, and build roads over transport, industrial, residential and energy infrastructure facilities.
Specifications
- Length (with anchoring structures) – 2,400 m
- Distance between supporting towers – from 144 to 288 m
- Number of supporting towers – 8 pcs
- Height of supporting towers – from 14.5 to 15.5 m
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating – up to 60 t
- Track structure pre-tensioning force (total) – up to 1800 tf
uSky Test & Certification Center, Sharjah (UAE), August 2022, Construction of the semi-flexible heavy-duty string rail overpass
Rigid heavy-duty string rail overpass
- The complex is designed for heavy uPods (weighing more than 50 tons), including for the transportation of 40-ft shipping containers. Absence of large deflections during the travel of rolling stock makes it possible for heavy unibody vehicles to develop high speeds – up to 150 km/h.
Specifications
- Length (with anchoring structures) – 2,400 m
- Distance between supporting towers – from 45 to 49.4 m
- Number of supporting towers – 46 pcs
- Height of supporting towers – from 11.2 to 13.6 m
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of uPod – up to 60 t
- Track structure pre-tensioning force (total) – up to 1800 tf
uSky Test & Certification Center, Sharjah (UAE), 2022. Supporting towers of the rigid heavy-duty string rail overpass
Infrastructure facilities in the Center
Passenger station
- The passenger station is combined with an anchoring structure, which can sustain a horizontal load of up to 270 tons.
- The embarkation platform is designed in deluxe version, equipped with high-comfort seating, elevator, air conditioning systems, sound information, video surveillance and intelligent security control systems.
- The total area of the station is 310 m².
uSky Test & Certification Center, Sharjah (UAE), 2019. Passenger station (outside and inside)
Repair shop (service station)
- The service station includes a repair shop for maintenance of uST rolling stock. The station is equipped with on-board energy storage recharging systems, diagnosis systems, as well as a set of tools and equipment for service or repair work.
- The total area of the station is 310 m².
uSky Test & Certification Center, Sharjah (UAE), 2021. uCont at the service station
Control room
The control room is intended for collection and analysis of information and operational decision-making.
Equipment:
- server
- stationary personal computers
- electric and information networks
- communication equipment
- telephony
- video surveillance
uSky Test & Certification Center, Sharjah (UAE), 2022. Control room
EcoHouse
- The EcoHouse built within the Center serves not only to display uST technology, but also vividly demonstrates an eco-friendly approach to the construction of transportation and infrastructure that combines green technology and ergonomic architecture. It is the only wooden house of this type in the UAE.
- Its construction required permits at the highest level. At the same time, the successful implementation of the project proved the possibility of a fundamentally new organization of living space which is more comfortable for people in the tropical conditions of the desert.
- The house is designed as a natural ecosystem – sewage, including the kitchen and toilet, flows also into the root system of plants. Under the ground with the help of specially selected natural communities of microflora and microfauna, all organic waste is processed into fertile humus and technical water that is enriched with liquid humus.
uSky Test & Certification Centre, Sharjah (UAE), 2022. EcoHouse – an oasis in the middle of the desert
uSky Test & Certification Center, Sharjah (UAE), 2022. EcoHouse’s courtyard
