Dubai – (Masaader News)
Under the auspices of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Executive Council, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will host the inaugural International Road Federation (IRF) Middle East Regional Congress & Exhibition from 29-31 of October this year under the theme (Mobility Solutions for the 21st Century). The event aims to examine the best practices and share knowledge in the field of road safety & smart systems. During the Congress, winners of various categories of the Global Road Achievement Awards will be honoured. The IRF had been established in 1948 and comprised members from 115 countries.
The Congress will review the latest technological & scientific developments for improving road networks and sharing expertise between global entities. It will also hold discussion panels to tackle the best practices & innovations in the field of smart cities, road safety designs, smart transit systems, asset management, pavements, partnerships, finance and issues of relevance to the environment & sustainability. Training workshops and field visits will also be arranged during the event.
HE Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said, “Holding this global event in Dubai city tantamount to an international vote of confidence of international organisations & agencies in the standing of the UAE and its ability to host world-class events. It also comes as an acknowledgement by the IRF of the massive efforts of the Dubai Government to provide top-notch infrastructure of roads network in the Emirate. The Congress ranks amongst the top specialist road congresses and will convene for the first time in the MENA region.
Thanks to the visionary leadership of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the close follow-up of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Executive Council, Dubai boasts of world-class infrastructure in various aspects, especially roads. These substructures are characterised by high quality and wide geographical coverage of all parts of the Emirate.
“Dubai Government has invested huge amounts in upgrading roads and transport infrastructure to cater to the needs of urbanisation and the sweeping economic development besides bringing happiness & welfare to residents and visitors of Dubai. The RTA has introduced massive improvements to the roads sector that have thrust the standing of the UAE as Number One in the Quality of Roads Ranking over the past four years (2013-2016) according to the Global Competitiveness Report of Davos Economic Forum. The RTA has also clinched an array of global awards such the IRF Award in 2014 and 2016, Prince Michael Award, and Gulf Traffic Exhibition Awards for the Smart Roads app.
Over the past decade, the Dubai Government has spent about AED90 billion for improving the infrastructure of roads and transportation networks in the Emirate. The figure includes about AED40 billion for roads sector only. Accordingly, the total length of roads network in the Emirate jumped from 8715 lane-kilometer in 2016 to 13,594 lane-kilometer in 2016. The number of lanes crossing over Dubai Creek has also increased by as much as 153% from 19 to 48 during the same period. This upswing is attributed to the construction of several vital projects like the 13-lane Business Bay Crossing, and the replacement of the Old Al Qarhoud Bridge with a new 14-lane Bridge. The RTA has also constructed the six-lane Floating Bridge using military technology. Lanes of Al Maktoum Bridge increased from nine to 11 lanes. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road has been widened from the outskirts of Al Houdh Interchange from six to 12 lanes. It has also improved Emirates Road as a new traffic corridor, which comprises 12 lanes and 15 interchanges (3 flyovers and 12 underpasses). It has also completed the widening of Al Khail Road over 15 km-long sector comprising 6 lanes in each direction from the junction of Al Meydan Street to the junction of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road. The existing four R/As have been converted into multi-level flyovers. Work is currently underway to complete the construction of the parallel roads project extending 31 km. It has developed a series of measures to improve the traffic flow and safety and bring it in line with the best global practices. These measures contributed to reducing fatalities of road accidents in Dubai by unprecedented rates over the past decade.
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