On 9 September 2009, Dubai inaugurated its metro network, becoming the first urban metro network in the Gulf's Arab states. It is hoped that the system will ease the daily commute for thousands of the emirate's workers. With an economy increasingly based upon financial services, air transport, property development and tourism, Dubai has a rapidly growing population and severe traffic congestion problems. The population is forecast to increase by 6.4% annually to reach three million by 2017, with tourist numbers projected to reach 15 million by 2010. From studies started in 1997, the Dubai Municipality identified the need for a rail system to relieve growing motor traffic and support continuing urban development. Systra was awarded the preliminary engineering contract, and a consortium of four companies headed by Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) is leading the project to build the first two lines of a high-tech driverless rapid transit system. Other consortium members include the Japanese Obayashi and Kajima corporations, and Yapi Merkesi of Turkey.