ID :
32115
Tue, 11/25/2008 - 13:57
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/32115
The shortlink copeid
RTA reviews its transition to mass transit
Dubai, Nov 25, 2008 (WAM) - Mattar Al-Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Roads '&' Transport Authority (RTA) headed a delegation from the RTA to the 1st International Transport Conference '&' Exhibition for the Middle East held in the Kingdom of Jordan, in response to an invitation from the Jordanian Ministry of Transport. The Conference was opened by the Jordanian Prime Minister in the presence of several Arab Transport Ministers. The delegation reviewed RTA experience in the transition towards mass transit systems.
The Conference, which is held under the auspices of HM Abdullah II, the King of Jordan, discusses over two days the importance of transport sector in boosting the economies of Arab countries and the challenges of funding infrastructure of this sector.
Mattar Al-Tayer delivered a keynote speech in the conference, which was attended by more than 500 participants from the Middle East, Asia and Europe. Al-Tayer reviewed the challenges and achievements made by the RTA through its transition towards mass transit in Dubai.
"Among the key challenges facing the emirate of Dubai is traffic congestion, which costs about Dh4.6 billion per annum in terms of time wasted in traffic congestion. Challenges also include traffic safety where fatality rate in Dubai is 17 cases per 100 thousands of population, compared to 5-6 cases in countries such as the UK and Sweden, and the associated economic loss exceeds 800 million per annum. There is also the limited use of mass transit modes, which does not exceed 6% whereas such percentage ranges from 40 to 80% in advanced countries. RTA has also got to meet the requirements of the fast moving urbanization and economic growth in the emirate of Dubai.
"RTA worked out plans to overcome these challenges. In the field of traffic safety an integrated program is now in place aiming to reduce traffic accident fatalities to 5 per 100 thousand of population by 2020. As far as conserving the environment, the plan envisages implementation of Euro 4 standards to vehicle emissions, and applying environmental standards as a precondition for all new buses. As to traffic congestion, the plan involves construction of roads extending 500 km, 120 multi-level interchanges up to 2020 at a cost of around 44 billion dirham. The plan calls for expanded use of Intelligent Traffic Systems and introducing policies and legislations to curb the increase in the number of vehicles. These include bus-dedicated lanes, toll gates system, exclusive pedestrians '&' cyclists zones, and drafting legislations related to vehicle registration and driver licensing.
"RTA plan aims to upgrade mass transit sector and increase the percentage of person trips by mass transit modes to 30%, which is envisaged to be achieved through massive expansions in public transport systems that span 380 km of rail lines, and 270 km of tram lines. In the first stage of Dubai Metro, RTA embarked on the Red '&' Green Lines extending 75 km. As to tram lines, work is in hand to construct Sufouh Tram extending 14 km linking 19 stations and is expected to be commissioned in April 2011.
"The Master Bus Plan up to 2020 features boosting the bus fleet to 3000 buses operating in lines extending 3000 km and expected to lift around 4.5 million passengers per day. The plan envisages construction of about 1000 air-conditioned bus shelters for public transport passengers and launching initiatives to encourage mass transit such as Sharekni and Awselni.
"RTA plan to upgrade marine transport modes includes operation of Creek lines, coastal lines extending along Jumeirah beaches, and the vital artificial islands projects. Main marine transport network will expand from 20 km to more than 450 km to serve all waterfront projects and property islands. RTA operated the Water Bus and developed abra and started experimental operation of abras powered by compressed natural gas has. RTA is currently undertaking implementation of two superb projects encompassing operation of 20 ferries, and 10 Water Taxis each capable of accommodating 7 passengers" said Al-Tayer.
In concluding his speech, Al-Tayer reviewed the key future projects identified by the RTA, which he summarized in completion of the existing infrastructure projects, particularly mass transit system, expanding the application of modern traffic systems and transport technologies and raising the educational and awareness level of users of road network and transport systems.
The speech of Mattar Al-Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA was well received and hailed by senior executives and participants in the conference.
Al-Tayer is accompanied in the conference by a delegation consisting of Abdul Majeed Al-Khaja, CEO of Rail Agency, AbdulMohsen Ibrahim, CEO of Strategy '&' Corporate Governance and Peyman Younes, Director of Marketing '&' Corporate Communication.
The Conference, which is held under the auspices of HM Abdullah II, the King of Jordan, discusses over two days the importance of transport sector in boosting the economies of Arab countries and the challenges of funding infrastructure of this sector.
Mattar Al-Tayer delivered a keynote speech in the conference, which was attended by more than 500 participants from the Middle East, Asia and Europe. Al-Tayer reviewed the challenges and achievements made by the RTA through its transition towards mass transit in Dubai.
"Among the key challenges facing the emirate of Dubai is traffic congestion, which costs about Dh4.6 billion per annum in terms of time wasted in traffic congestion. Challenges also include traffic safety where fatality rate in Dubai is 17 cases per 100 thousands of population, compared to 5-6 cases in countries such as the UK and Sweden, and the associated economic loss exceeds 800 million per annum. There is also the limited use of mass transit modes, which does not exceed 6% whereas such percentage ranges from 40 to 80% in advanced countries. RTA has also got to meet the requirements of the fast moving urbanization and economic growth in the emirate of Dubai.
"RTA worked out plans to overcome these challenges. In the field of traffic safety an integrated program is now in place aiming to reduce traffic accident fatalities to 5 per 100 thousand of population by 2020. As far as conserving the environment, the plan envisages implementation of Euro 4 standards to vehicle emissions, and applying environmental standards as a precondition for all new buses. As to traffic congestion, the plan involves construction of roads extending 500 km, 120 multi-level interchanges up to 2020 at a cost of around 44 billion dirham. The plan calls for expanded use of Intelligent Traffic Systems and introducing policies and legislations to curb the increase in the number of vehicles. These include bus-dedicated lanes, toll gates system, exclusive pedestrians '&' cyclists zones, and drafting legislations related to vehicle registration and driver licensing.
"RTA plan aims to upgrade mass transit sector and increase the percentage of person trips by mass transit modes to 30%, which is envisaged to be achieved through massive expansions in public transport systems that span 380 km of rail lines, and 270 km of tram lines. In the first stage of Dubai Metro, RTA embarked on the Red '&' Green Lines extending 75 km. As to tram lines, work is in hand to construct Sufouh Tram extending 14 km linking 19 stations and is expected to be commissioned in April 2011.
"The Master Bus Plan up to 2020 features boosting the bus fleet to 3000 buses operating in lines extending 3000 km and expected to lift around 4.5 million passengers per day. The plan envisages construction of about 1000 air-conditioned bus shelters for public transport passengers and launching initiatives to encourage mass transit such as Sharekni and Awselni.
"RTA plan to upgrade marine transport modes includes operation of Creek lines, coastal lines extending along Jumeirah beaches, and the vital artificial islands projects. Main marine transport network will expand from 20 km to more than 450 km to serve all waterfront projects and property islands. RTA operated the Water Bus and developed abra and started experimental operation of abras powered by compressed natural gas has. RTA is currently undertaking implementation of two superb projects encompassing operation of 20 ferries, and 10 Water Taxis each capable of accommodating 7 passengers" said Al-Tayer.
In concluding his speech, Al-Tayer reviewed the key future projects identified by the RTA, which he summarized in completion of the existing infrastructure projects, particularly mass transit system, expanding the application of modern traffic systems and transport technologies and raising the educational and awareness level of users of road network and transport systems.
The speech of Mattar Al-Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA was well received and hailed by senior executives and participants in the conference.
Al-Tayer is accompanied in the conference by a delegation consisting of Abdul Majeed Al-Khaja, CEO of Rail Agency, AbdulMohsen Ibrahim, CEO of Strategy '&' Corporate Governance and Peyman Younes, Director of Marketing '&' Corporate Communication.
