|
The Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) presented two papers at the World Metro Rail Congress 2017 in London, which saw a wide participation of experts, specialists and decision-makers from developed countries.
Abdul Mohsen Ibrahim Younes, CEO of RTA’s Rail Agency presented the first paper entitled: ‘Dubai Rail Transport Journey and Beyond.’ The paper highlighted the challenges faced by the rail sector, including the heavy reliance of considerable numbers of Dubai population on private vehicles, along with the resulting traffic jams in such a vibrant cosmopolitan city, a home for 200 nationalities living and working together.
“The share of public transport in people mobility in Dubai had been only 6% in 2006; a tiny percentage when compared to other metropolitan cities. Therefore, RTA started developing strategies & ambitious plans to establish an integrated, diverse and advanced transport network driven by state-of-the-art technologies. Following strenuous endeavours, the share of public transport soared to 16% in 2016. RTA still seeks to increase the share of mass transport (metro, tram, buses, and marine transport) to as high as 20% by 2020, and further increase it to 30% by 2030. Work is up-and-running to achieve these goals,” noted Younes.
"The RTA has also developed an automated fare collection system known as NOL card to serve as a vital instrument in attracting large numbers of people to use mass transport means. The RTA also managed to evolve the culture of using public transport among community members who have begun to feel the benefits of using mass transit means. Examples of such benefits include physical and psychological comfort, low cost, and high levels of safety as well as reduced costs of fuel & vehicle maintenance among others,” he explained.
Abdul Mohsen also highlighted the rail transport projects represented by the Dubai Metro comprising the Red & Green Lines, which boasts of advanced technologies & stations, high-quality manufacturing and advanced facilities offering services to a wide range of riders on a daily basis. He also spoke about the Dubai Tram, which has generated a shift in public transport in general and the rail industry in particular in the emirate of Dubai.
The CEO of Rail Agency also referred to the innovation elements adopted by RTA in expanding, developing and strengthening mass transport network in Dubai. Innovation has attracted more & diverse people to use public transport means, especially the metro and tram.
The second paper entitled ‘Rail Agency Green Initiatives towards Low Carbon Society" was presented by Bayan Khider Abu Shaaban, Senior Sustainability Specialist at RTA Rail Agency. He screened some topics highlighted by the strategy and Key Performance Indicators of Green Economy at RTA. He reviewed the initiatives of the Rail Agency to reduce carbon emissions and promote environmental sustainability as well as the awards won by the Agency in this field. The paper also reviewed RTA's concern to preserve the environment by introducing projects to reduce the environmental impacts of transit modes such as the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, and future rail projects. The paper also highlighted the pioneering role of Dubai Metro in reducing the carbon footprint and saving the power consumption compared with several rail systems of some developed cities such as London, Montreal, Madrid, Hong Kong, Singapore among others.
|
New
