RTA inks deal to develop sustainable roads

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed an agreement with the International Road Federation (IRF) to launch a global alliance and adopt modern technology for sustainable roads. The MoU, which comes in line with the UAE Vision 2021 and Greening the Economy, aims at launching the Excellence Center for Energy & Environmental Sustainability in Road Design to benefit from the latest experiments, research data and specialised studies related to road design, said Maitha bin Adai, the chief executive of RTA Traffic and Roads Agency, after inking the deal with Patrick Sankey, the president and chief executive of the IRF. Senior officials including Abdullah Al Mogbel, the chairman of the IRF, and Mattar Al Tayer, the director-general and chairman of the board of executive directors of the RTA, attended the signing ceremony on the sidelines of the ongoing IRF Middle East & North Africa Regional Congress & Exhibition in Dubai. The event is being held under the theme “Mobility Solutions for the 21st Century.” "It also aims to provide practical training to road researchers, introduce modern technology of sustainable roads, and foster partnerships between government institutions, academic centers and private companies through specific & specialized programs in this field," remarked bin Adai. "Pursuant to this MoU, a global alliance of connected roads will be launched, with the aim of utilising the existing expertise of the IRF, which participates with nearly 400 partners hailing from more than 70 countries, including researchers and smart infrastructure interested parties," she noted. The target of transforming 25 per cent of all transportation in Dubai into smart and driverless by 2030, requires conducting specialized studies, and infrastructure scientific research, particularly smart traffic control means, explained bin Adai. It also requires entry and exit management, and speed control procedures without compromising pedestrian crossings, which contributes to upgrading infrastructure in line with future plans, she added. Sankey expressed delight at signing the RTA pact, which underscores the keenness of the two sides to combine efforts to enhance communication and co-operation through government partnerships. "It also reflect the commitment of both parties to support all strategic initiatives and projects aimed at providing the best infrastructure for the roads & transport sectors as per the highest standards of traffic safety and facilities maintenance," he noted. According to him, the IRF will share the researches and views of leading road experts who boast long experience in road design, energy and environmental sustainability. "This MoU will contribute to upgrading the efficiency of modern roads and traffic services in Dubai emirate by overcoming the challenges facing mobility and devising the best solutions for smooth traffic flow in a way that achieves the RTA’s vision and meets the aspirations of the residents, investors and visitors alike in order to shift the emirate to a new era of growth & development,"