German delegation reviews RTA projects

Al Tayer stated that the sharp vision and forward thinking of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, is the key driving force behind the extensive development witnessed by Dubai.

He pointed out that HH was keen to set up work teams to materialize the vision & strategic objectives of the emirate, which is focused on investment in human resources.

The aim of such drive is to build a creative & self-confident generation, and upgrade the caliber of human cadres to meet the requirements of modern life. It also aims to invigorate the role of Emirates in the job market, and empower them with life skills required to keep pace with the fast changes in the community, and heighten the awareness of the role anticipated from them in contributing to the development of Dubai & its community.

The German delegation also included a number of consultants in the German Parliament, businessmen, and representatives of the Ministry of Economy. From the RTA side the meeting was also attended by Engineer Maitha bin Adai, CEO of Traffic & Roads Agency, Engineer Abdul Majid Al-Khaja, CEO of Rail Agency, Abdul Mohsin Ibrahim, CEO of Strategy & Corporate Governance, and a number of departmental directors.

At the outset of the meeting, H.E. Mattar Al Tayer welcomed the German delegation and gave a brief account of the RTA; which is tasked with the responsibilities of planning & implementing transportation, roads and traffic within the emirate and with other emirates in the country. "The aim is to provide an effective & integrated transport system capable of achieving the vision of Dubai and serving its vital interests.

This could be materialized through preparing comprehensive strategic plans of transport, roads & traffic as well as by preparing, developing and implementing policies to make optimum benefit of the available transport elements such as roads, buses, trains and others. It could also be realized by establishing, managing, and operating an integrated transport, traffic & roads system capable of providing good services & meet requirements of all categories of the community, as well as through preparing regulations and operational & administrative systems related to the business of the RTA," he said.

"At the time of its establishment, RTA was confronted within a number of challenges such as sorting out prompt solutions to improve the traffic condition, preparing a long term strategic plan, and at the same time proceeding with the undergoing projects," Al Tayer said. He pointed out that at the time of preparing the Organization Chart; the RTA was keen to benefit from the past experience of countries developed in the field of transport, particularly Germany & Singapore.

"The Chart meets several administrative principles such as reducing decision-taking levels, and enhancing integration between the functional units. The Chart includes five operational agencies, namely Traffic & Roads Agency, Public Transport Agency, Rail Agency, Marine Agency, and Dubai Taxi Agency in addition to two sectors; Corporate Support & Corporate Governance," Al Tayer added.

He pointed out that RTA made framework agreements with its affiliated operational agencies; a step the first of its type at the level of local government departments in the emirate. "These agreements aim at defining the general framework of relationships between the RTA and its affiliated agencies in terms of tasks, responsibilities and services rendered by the two parties. This has to be achieved through identifying deliverables by the two parties, ensuring clearly defined tasks & responsibilities tailored to achieve the vision & strategic goals of the RTA, specifying performance indicators, & indicators of measuring the level of services provided by the agencies, and specifying the measures to be taken to upgrade the level of those services" Al Tayer commented.

He then spoke about the Strategic Plan of the RTA, which is focused on five key aspects that hover around the principle of integration between all elements. Such aspects include increasing the intake of roads network through expanding & upgrading the existing networks, building new networks, and uplifting the role of mass transit modes to respond to mobility requirements. This could be achieved through providing top quality transport modes that match the requirements of various community sectors.

Al Tayer further added that the plan also includes developing metro and tram systems in accordance with the best international standards, developing public mass transit by buses and marine modes, and expanding the use of modern technology to ensure optimum utilization of road networks and transport systems, such as road toll gate system, dynamic navigation system (Dalili), and intelligent transport systems. The Plan also envisages introduction of various transport and planning policies capable of inducing a positive change in the attitudes of users of road networks and transport systems, in addition to adopting a comprehensive program to educate and heighten traffic awareness that is based on developing awareness methodologies to target all sectors of the community.

Al Tayer then embarked upon reviewing the key projects currently undertaken by the RTA at a cost exceeding Dh26 billion, including Dh8 billion worth of road projects, such as Business Bay Crossing, constructing the 14-lane Al Garhoud Bridge, widening Emirates Road from 3 to 6 lanes, constructing Arabian Ranches Intersection; which is one of the biggest intersections in Dubai, the First Intersection at Sheikh Zayed Road, widening of Al Ittihad Road, widening of Dubai Bypass Road linking the emirate of Dubai with the emirates of Abu Dhabi & Sharjah, and others. RTA is also engaged in developing mass transit systems by means developing public transport, and marine transport modes including abras & water bus.

While presenting RTA projects, Al Tayer reviewed Dubai Metro Project; which costs about Dh15 billion and is considered the longest driverless automated train worldwide. "It consists of two lines; the Red Line, which extends 52 km and includes 29 stations 4 of which are underground stations (Burjman, Union Square, Al Riqqa & Port Saeed) and 25 elevated stations. The Green Line which extends 23 km and comprises 18 stations, 6 of which are underground and 12 are elevated stations.

The German delegation commended the pioneer development model adopted by Dubai in various fields. The delegation members stated that they were impressed by the dynamic approach adopted by the emirate in handling massive property developments, and huge projects undertaken in the field of building roads network and developing mass transit modes. They particularly singled out Dubai Metro project and described it as a distinctive addition to Dubai City.