ID :
44934
Tue, 02/10/2009 - 13:11
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/44934
The shortlink copeid
RTA signs a MoU with ORR for Certification '&' Regulation of Rail Network
Dubai, February 10, 2009 (WAM) - The Dubai Roads '&' Transport Authority (RTA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UK Office of Rail Regulation (ORR); the first of its kind in the Middle East focusing on certification and regulation of railways to ensure the safety of public, passengers and staff.
The MoU was signed from the RTA by Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, and from the ORR by H.E. Allan Spence, Her Majesty's Deputy Chief Inspector of Railways.
"From inception RTA set out "Safety First" as a logo for all projects undertaken, particularly Dubai Metro, which is one of the biggest and most sophisticated projects undertaken by the RTA. Safety '&' security are essential ingredients in all components of the Metro Project, which will be a springboard to develop and upgrade all transport modes in the emirate. The Organisational Chart of the RTA encompasses an independent department to cater for Safety under the umbrella of Strategy '&' Corporate Governance Sector; which was designated as: Safety Regulation '&' Planning Dep't tasked to oversee safety planning, policies, licensing, regulation, accident investigation, auditing, and monitoring. RTA also established two departments of Quality, Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE) at Traffic '&' Roads Agency and Rail Agency, over and above QHSE Offices affiliated to other RTA agencies" said Al Tayer.
"Under Law No. 17/2005, which established the RTA, RTA is tasked with the responsibility of safety of all road, bus, taxi, marine and rail transport in all parts of the emirate of Dubai, including free zones. RTA opted to provide top-class safety standards for Dubai Metro Project through four levels; starting with the Contractor, followed by the Consultant, RTA experts and Lloyds Co.; which is the independent safety surveyor of Dubai Metro Project.
"RTA opted to sign a MoU with ORR in recognition of over 150 years of railway safety experience enjoyed by the ORR. A team of international railway safety experts was established, including Mr. Stanley Robertson, formerly Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Railways, Michael Etwell and Amair Saleem who were both part of the Certification Team for the recent Taiwan High Speed Rail Project.
"According to the MoU, ORR shall attend to certification and regulation of railways network to ensure the safety of public, passengers and staff. It will also develop and implement health and safety regulation of railways in Dubai, including powers for inspection and enforcement. ORR will lend support to the RTA certification process for railways in Dubai, including support in assessment of the railway operator's safety management systems. It will provide support to the RTA in the regulation of railways in Dubai, establishment of railway databases to capture railway performance data at Dubai level, followed by statistical, safety '&' performance analysis, and mentoring '&' training of RTA staff" added Al Tayer.
Al Tayer hoped that the experience gained from this partnership would further enhance RTA's standing as the regional leader and expert in this niche field for the benefit of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.
He hailed the model experience and fruitful cooperation with the ORR over the course of safety certification assessments of the Nakheel Palm Jumeirah Transit System (Palm Monorail) before the start of revenue operation in April 2009.
Allan Spence, Her Majesty's Deputy Chief Inspector of Railways said that ORR would do its level best to align the various processes of the Dubai Metro Project with the international standards '&' specifications. For this reason, ORR would mobilise all technical expertise to deliver its assignment, added Spence.
The MoU was signed from the RTA by Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, and from the ORR by H.E. Allan Spence, Her Majesty's Deputy Chief Inspector of Railways.
"From inception RTA set out "Safety First" as a logo for all projects undertaken, particularly Dubai Metro, which is one of the biggest and most sophisticated projects undertaken by the RTA. Safety '&' security are essential ingredients in all components of the Metro Project, which will be a springboard to develop and upgrade all transport modes in the emirate. The Organisational Chart of the RTA encompasses an independent department to cater for Safety under the umbrella of Strategy '&' Corporate Governance Sector; which was designated as: Safety Regulation '&' Planning Dep't tasked to oversee safety planning, policies, licensing, regulation, accident investigation, auditing, and monitoring. RTA also established two departments of Quality, Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE) at Traffic '&' Roads Agency and Rail Agency, over and above QHSE Offices affiliated to other RTA agencies" said Al Tayer.
"Under Law No. 17/2005, which established the RTA, RTA is tasked with the responsibility of safety of all road, bus, taxi, marine and rail transport in all parts of the emirate of Dubai, including free zones. RTA opted to provide top-class safety standards for Dubai Metro Project through four levels; starting with the Contractor, followed by the Consultant, RTA experts and Lloyds Co.; which is the independent safety surveyor of Dubai Metro Project.
"RTA opted to sign a MoU with ORR in recognition of over 150 years of railway safety experience enjoyed by the ORR. A team of international railway safety experts was established, including Mr. Stanley Robertson, formerly Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Railways, Michael Etwell and Amair Saleem who were both part of the Certification Team for the recent Taiwan High Speed Rail Project.
"According to the MoU, ORR shall attend to certification and regulation of railways network to ensure the safety of public, passengers and staff. It will also develop and implement health and safety regulation of railways in Dubai, including powers for inspection and enforcement. ORR will lend support to the RTA certification process for railways in Dubai, including support in assessment of the railway operator's safety management systems. It will provide support to the RTA in the regulation of railways in Dubai, establishment of railway databases to capture railway performance data at Dubai level, followed by statistical, safety '&' performance analysis, and mentoring '&' training of RTA staff" added Al Tayer.
Al Tayer hoped that the experience gained from this partnership would further enhance RTA's standing as the regional leader and expert in this niche field for the benefit of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.
He hailed the model experience and fruitful cooperation with the ORR over the course of safety certification assessments of the Nakheel Palm Jumeirah Transit System (Palm Monorail) before the start of revenue operation in April 2009.
Allan Spence, Her Majesty's Deputy Chief Inspector of Railways said that ORR would do its level best to align the various processes of the Dubai Metro Project with the international standards '&' specifications. For this reason, ORR would mobilise all technical expertise to deliver its assignment, added Spence.
