Conference at ROADEX 2006 to address critical issue of road safety

"Road deaths in Gulf countries cost between 1.5% and 2.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and road safety is a matter of grave concern in the region. In the UAE, road deaths cost 1.6% of the GDP, whereas in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait this figure is 2.4% and 1.8% respectively. As compared to these figures, the impact of road deaths on GDP is less than 0.75% in countries like the US, the UK, France and Germany" said Wim Westerhuis, High Representative, International Road Federation (IRF).

The Geneva-based IRF will organise the conference sessions at ROADEX 2006 where a panel of expert speakers from around the world will share their experiences, with a special emphasis on their applicability and appropriateness to the region.

"Road deaths generally happen to people in their early 20s with the whole of their productive life ahead of them. Assuming a probable further life expectancy of 40 years and lost contribution to society and the economy, the impact of deaths thanks to road accidents is huge and this has proved to be a very significant burden on the economies of the region" added Westerhuis.

Elaborating on the theme for the conference, Westerhuis said,

"Roads for the future - smart and safe was chosen as the theme because it clearly conveys the message that the expansion and improvement of the road networks in the Middle East can greatly benefit from the adoption of latest technology to make them safer and more efficient, as well as addressing the poor safety record in the region".

Some of the topics that will be addressed during the conference sessions include; public-private partnerships, adopting IT in road management, innovations in transportation planning, traffic operations and congestion management, among others.

ROADEX 2006 will be held 12-15 March 2006 under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The exhibition has attracted exhibitors from more than 20 countries seeking to tap into the attractive prospects of the Middle East's road industry.

The focus segments at the ROADEX 2006 exhibition will be Roads, Bridges, Tunnels, Parking and Traffic. The exhibition is expected to attract over 10,000 trade visitors consisting of decision-makers from among municipalities and public works departments in the region, as well as road industry professionals.

ROADEX is being held at the Abu Dhabi International Exhibition & Conference Centre and will be organised by ADNEC (Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company), the Department of Municipalities & Agriculture, the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Public Works.