RTA launches Green IT initiative, energy-efficient practices urged

"RTA is keen to introduce the latest technological advancements; which have become the backbone of today's computer applications such as power-saving technologies, and use environment-friendly alternative energy sources to conserve natural and environmental resources in the UAE. This initiative is part of community oriented initiatives; which adds up to other initiatives sought by the RTA," said Abdullah Al-Madani, CEO of RTA Corporate Support Services.

"RTA attention to rationalize energy consumption stems from the concern of our wise government to conserve the environment and public health. The Green IT initiative aims to meet a host of strategic goals such as protecting the environment, conserving the nature as well as the public health and heritage, as far as the RTA is concerned.

Al-Madani said:

"Introduction of Green IT initiative is summarized in conserving the environment through using energy-efficient devices in operating information systems; a step which is achievable through Smart Computing."

Elaborating on the benefits derived from the introduction of Green IT initiative in rationalizing the consumption of electrical power, Al-Madani said: "Application of this technology will enable RTA better control of power consumption in operating IT systems; a step capable of expanding the prescribed lifetime of these systems. Minimizing power consumption in the field of information systems plays a considerable role in conserving the environment and offering savings in electricity bills.

The Director of IT Dep't at RTA Corporate Support Services Sector Abdullah Al-Bastaki commented on the initiate and said: "RTA is the first among Government Departments to endorse an agreement for applying Green IT with the global Climate Savers Computing Organization; accordingly RTA affiliation is posted in the website of this Organization.

"More than 50% of computer systems currently used in the RTA are compatible with the specifications of Green IT technology. Moreover, there is a central power control unit fitted to all RTA computer hardware; which has now become part of the standing technical requirements of procuring computers for the RTA in line with globally applicable standards. Additionally, RTA is also recycling old computer hardware in coordination with Dubai Municipality said Al-Bastaki.

Reflecting on future plans envisaged by the RTA in this field, Al-Bastaki went further to say: "We intend to promote Green IT initiative across the UAE through launching several educative campaigns to introduce this initiative and share our experiment in this regard with government bodies in Gitex 2008.

Future projects to be undertaken by IT Dep't will be carried out in accordance with the technical specifications applied in Green IT worldwide. As of next year more emphasis will be placed on using laptops which are 60% energy-efficient more than desktops. Besides that RTA is aspiring to have all its desktops and laptops 100% compatible with Green IT over the next three years.