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Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is organising the 3rd edition of Public Transport Hackathon. The event, which will take place at Burj Khalifa (21–23 April, 2019), is in line with Youth for Public Transport (Y4PT) initiative of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP). The hackathon is coordinated with Emaar and Serco and will feature the participation of several university students in the presence of several directors and employees of RTA.
“Holding the 3rd Public Transport Hackathon signals RTA’s continued efforts to develop innovative ideas and technological solutions to overcome challenges of Dubai public transport means comprising buses, metro, tram, and marine transport as well as traffic safety and smart apps development to serve the public,” said Ms Rowdah Al Mehrizi, Director of RTA’s Marketing and Corporate Communication.
“Inviting 25 students from UAE universities reflects RTA’s perception of the significant role of this segment in building the future. Selected students have a rich imagination, intellectual skills, and scientific capabilities to face future challenges of public transport growth plans,” said Al Mehrizi.
“The innovative ideas, suggestions and solutions come up with in the hackathon will be submitted to a select panel of competent CEOs of RTA to choose the best and most viable ideas for achieving the cherished objectives. The top three finishers will receive financial rewards, and the first winner will represent Dubai in the Y4PT Global Transport Hackathon in Stockholm, Sweden this June,” added Al Mehrizi.
“Youth are characterised by positive energy, passion and zest for creativity and innovation. They have a wealth of knowledge that can be applied to realise the dreams of the nation. RTA pays paramount attention to youth and seeks to empower them to make an effective contribution to the sustainable development drive. It, therefore, endeavours to apply their abilities and talents to identify the best practices of achieving RTA’s strategic objectives,” she concluded.
The inaugural hackathon was held in March 2017 in RTA’s Innovation Lab, Al Sufouh, where university students exchanged creative ideas about providing safe and advanced transit modes. The second hackathon was held in March 2018 at RTA HQ where 12 students from UAE universities were invited to come up with ideas on how to develop strategies that would contribute to the advancement of mass transport to make it the ideal choice in people mobility.
Winners of the 1st hackathon were rewarded by participation in Canada’s Global Hackathon. Winners of the 2nd edition of transport hackathon were honoured during the MENA Transport Congress and Exhibition 2018 in Dubai.
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