First issue RTA magazine published

It includes a special interview featuring HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Executive Council in which HH took time to highlight the plan set by the Emirate of Dubai in diversifying the economic activities of the Emirate, with particular emphasis on a number of sectors of value added importance in terms of motivating the economic development. This includes advanced science & technology, travel & tourism, financial & professional services, trading & storage and building & construction.

HH touched on the role played by "Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Supporting Youth Projects. "The Establishment aims at encouraging small & medium businesses sector in the UAE and creating an ambient atmosphere for the progress of the businesses of UAE nationals and boosting successes of their projects. The Establishment aims at ensuring the main requirements for starting a project. It became one of the key Establishments that graduate generations of pioneer businessmen and women in the UAE. A number of vivid examples could be quoted to amplify the true and effective achievements made by the Establishment, which is about to launch the Business Village project". HH commented.

Sheikh Hamdan further stated that the success of Dubai Government in winning the confidence of major multinational companies and investors inside and outside the UAE is attributable to the sharp vision and wise leadership of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in addition to the security, political & economic stability, transparency in taking political & economic decisions, credibility and outstanding infrastructure which includes road network, transport, water, electricity, sewage, telecommunications, education & IT. This in addition to the unprecedented growth in the Domestic Product, adopting free economy principles, economic openness, free market mechanism, speed and accuracy in achieving projects plus taking a leading and creative role in launching initiatives, respect of human rights and ensuring equity and fairness to all.

H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman & CEO of RTA stated in the opening speech of the magazine stated that the Strategic Plan of Dubai; which has been unveiled by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai forms a working methodology for all government agencies in Dubai. "Based on this plan RTA made its strategic plan for the forthcoming three years (2007 - 2009). RTA is sharing the same strategic objective identified by Dubai Plan in terms of road network and transportation system i.e. provision of an integrated roads and transportation system that ensures traffic flow and achieve best safety levels to all system users" Al Tayer said.

He added that RTA applies the strategic planning operations as an integral part of business culture. It set out its strategic plan which clearly defines the strategic goals and main objectives and potential initiatives to achieve those objectives with regard to each of the key four performance axis of the "balanced performance card" approved for the government departments in Dubai. Each of the RTA Agencies and Departments prepared its operational plans based on this strategic plan.

He further added, "the nature and size of challenges faced by RTA and the importance & depth of the strategic goals & main tasks sought by RTA, require from us adopting an integrated and comprehensive methodology. In order for road & transport system to provide (safe and smooth transport for all), and achieve the strategic goal specified in the Strategic Plan of Dubai in this regard, this system has to be integrated and balanced".

Al Tayer mentioned that the success of RTA in implementing its strategic plan for the next three years will contribute to addressing the main challenges faced by RTA which are summarized in two main issues; traffic congestion and the low-level traffic safety. Tackling the traffic congestion requires integrated solution that include an overwhelming development of roads and mass transport system in the Emirate, upgrading the level of traffic education among system users, developing the methods of attending to traffic accidents and emergencies, boosting the use of modern traffic & transport techniques and introducing a number of policies capable of semi-complete reliance on private vehicles in addition to cooperation with other concerned bodies in the Emirate in order to achieve a highest level of integration between land use plans and roads & transport plans.

As to the other challenge of low-level traffic safety standards, it is vital to implement the standards of vetting traffic safety compiled recently by RTA in conjunction with international experts in this field in addition to improving safety standards related transportation means and boosting the culture of roads & transport system users through various programmes and awareness campaigns.

Dr. Aysha Al Busameet, Director of Marketing & Corporate Communication, and Editor of the magazine stated that issuing this magazine comes out of the keen attention of RTA to enhance the communication with the various segments of the community in order to heighten the awareness level of the public of RTA's mission and basic values in addition to shedding light on the role played by RTA in planning and implementing the projects related to roads & transport and traffic flow. It also reiterates RTA's commitment to achieve media transparency.

The Issue includes a detailed report on Dubai Metro Project covering the details of the two red and green lines, number of stations and the time required for movement along the two lines. There is also a description of the interior design of metro coaches. Each train consists of five coaches with a capacity of 897 passengers in peak hours. More details are provided with regard to the colour of coaches and the facilities provided for children, ladies and persons with special needs. It also contains news of the key projects carried out by RTA in the field of roads & bridges and developing transportation by buses, marine transport by abras and water bus that will be launched in next July.

Besides RTA's news and activities, the Issue also contains a report headlined: "50 Years of Trade and Travel" which focuses on the historical role played by the Emirate of Dubai taking advantage of its strategic location in linking trading routes between east and west, such as silk road that extends from Qostantinia to Dubai and from there to China and gold route from Mali in West Africa across the Sahara Desert to Dubai and spices route. The Issue also contains a report about London Bakerloo line which is considered one of the most successful metro lines and celebrating its 100 anniversary.