Middle East's first public transport conference & exhibition to be held in Dubai

"The Middle East's urban populations are expanding fast and traffic congestion is becoming an issue that cities can no longer ignore," says Davyd Farrell, Project Manager for Smart Move.

Smart Move is highly topical. At present, few cities in the region have effective train and bus services. In Tokyo and Singapore, public transport accounts for over 80 per cent of passenger journeys. In many Middle Eastern cities, however, the figure is as little as 20 per cent. As a result, the Middle East suffers some of the worst traffic congestion, air pollution and road death and injury rates in the world. In Cairo and Tehran, traffic speeds now average less than 10 km/h.

Smart Move takes place at Dubai's Crowne Plaza Hotel from October 10-12th. The event will feature presentations from international figures and leading municipal authorities and will explore design and planning of integrated urban transport systems, construction and implementation, and the ongoing maintenance and management process. Dubai Municipality, Dubai Transport and Emirates Transport are all associated sponsors.

Smart Move is organised by IIR - which also organises the popular Gulf Traffic and MENA Rail conference-exhibitions - in association with public transport experts Transport Roundtable Australasia. Also associated with Smart Move are Saudi Railways, Syrian Railways, General Establishment of Hejaz Railways Syria, Hejaz Jordanian Railway, Aqaba Railway, Ras Al Khaimah Municipality and Egyptian National Railway.

The event will feature bus and component suppliers, railway and metro suppliers, consultants, infrastructure providers, fare collection systems, signalling and traffic control systems, telecoms, rolling stock and track maintenance, contractors and civil designers and engineers. Delegates will be able to see the latest in urban transport technology, hear about the latest in regional public transport developments, meet the region's leading public transport officials and source new suppliers. There will be a strong emphasis on networking and contact-making.

Transport systems under strain
Without rapid action, the Middle East's transport difficulties threaten to worsen considerably. The populations of Oman, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, for instance, are forecast to triple by 2050, putting yet more strain on urban road networks.

There are, however, grounds for optimism. Saudi Arabia, Syria and Iran are planning large investments in light rail and metro systems. The UAE has launched more frequent, faster bus routes and work on the US$ 2.2 billion Dubai Light Rail Project is about to commence.

"It's encouraging that the region's governments and municipalities are now addressing public transport in earnest," says Farrell. "There is a huge amount of related business to be won." Smart Move, he says, will give companies from outside the region the opportunity to dip their toes in the market and make vital contacts, while public sector delegates will be able to learn about many of the most world's effective public transport solutions. At least 60 commercial exhibitors are expected at Smart Move.