Driving force

The transport sector is critically important in boosting the economies of Arab countries. Nonetheless, significant challenges remain.

It’s an item that often gets buried beneath the many column inches generated by the region’s landmark property developments, but the fact remains that the modernisation of much of the Gulf’s transport infrastructure over the past few years is a success story in its own right. And nowhere is this more apparent than in the epicentre of the Middle East’s rise to global significance, Dubai.

The rate of progress is impressive. The number of lanes constructed by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) across Dubai Creek jumped by 250 percent from 19 in 2006 to 48 in 2008, with plans for more – including the graceful Rashid Bin Saeed Bridge (the Sixth Crossing), one of the biggest road projects ever undertaken by the RTA at a cost of around AED3 billion – in the pipeline. Innovative techniques and projects have been introduced, such as the Salik road toll system, air-conditioned bus shelters and a state-of-the-art taxi fleet. Bold initiatives include the world’s biggest ever bus procurement deal, where RTA contracted to acquire 1616 buses in various sizes and designs, fitted with the latest technologies and highest security and safety standards. Several new mass transit stations have been designed and approved. And of course there’s the AED15.5 billion Dubai Metro, the world’s longest driverless, fully automated metro line implemented as a single project, the initial phase of which is set for completion in September.

In charge of the planning and development process is His Excellency Mattar Al-Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA. And chief among his concerns is how to meet the transport needs of a rapidly expanding population in a sustainable and socially responsible manner. “RTA has got to meet the requirements of fast-moving urbanization and economic growth in the emirate of Dubai,” he says. “We are not striving to deliver standard-level services to customers, but rather aspiring to achieve excellence.”

Rising traffic volumes
One of the most pressing challenges facing Al-Tayer and his team in this regard is traffic congestion, which he claims costs around AED4.6 billion per annum in terms of time wasted. And more cars on the road bring with them greater challenges in terms of road safety; the fatality rate in Dubai is 17 cases per 100,000 of population, compared with five or six cases in countries such as the UK and Sweden, and the RTA estimates the associated economic loss in excess of AED800 million per annum.

In response, the RTA has been working on a number of plans to overcome these issues. “In the field of traffic safety, an integrated programme is now in place aiming to reduce traffic accident fatalities to five per 100,000 of population by 2020,” explains Al-Tayer. “As far as conserving the environment, the plan envisages implementation of Euro 4 standards to vehicle emissions, and applying environmental standards as a precondition for all new buses. As to traffic congestion, the plan involves construction of roads extending 500km, with 120 multi-level interchanges scheduled for construction by 2020 at a cost of around AED44 billion. The plan calls for expanded use of intelligent traffic systems and the introduction of policies and legislation to curb the increase in the number of vehicles. These include bus-dedicated lanes, toll systems, exclusive pedestrians and cyclists zones, and drafting legislation related to vehicle registration and driver licensing.”

Moving people en masse
He also concedes that there is currently limited use of mass transit modes. Usage in Dubai rarely exceeds a figure of six percent, whereas countries with more advanced transportation infrastructures can expect to see rates of anywhere between 40 and 80 percent. This, however, is something Al-Tayer plans on changing.

“Our plan aims to upgrade the mass transit sector and increase the percentage of person-trips by mass transit modes to 30 percent, which we envisage being achieved through massive expansions in public transport systems that span 380km of rail lines, and 270km of tram lines,” he says. “In the first stage of the Dubai Metro, for instance, RTA embarked on the 75km Red and Green Lines. As to tram lines, work is in hand to construct the Sufouh Tram which will extend 14km along Al Sufouh Road. Phase I envisages construction of a 9.5km-long track starting from Dubai Marina up to Mall of the Emirates Station. The Tram network includes 19 passenger stations spread across activity and population density areas along the tram route.”

Dubai’s bus network is also set to undergo something of an overhaul. “The Master Bus Plan up to 2020 features plans to boost the bus fleet to 3000 buses operating in lines extending 3000km, carrying around 4.5 million passengers per day. The plan envisages construction of about 1000 air-conditioned bus shelters for public transport passengers, and launching initiatives to encourage mass transit such as Sharekni and Awselni.”

The present rate of private car ownership in Dubai is as high as 541 cars for each 1000 people with an average passenger occupancy rate as low as 1.3 people per car. By promoting carpooling through the Sharekni system, in which neighbours travel together to save costs, reduce driving stress and ease congestion and parking issues, Al-Tayer hopes to alleviate bottlenecks and reduce the number of cars on the road. Similarly, the Awselni scheme aims to encourage firms to offer mass transit services to their employees to and from their homes. With Dubai’s population expected to increase 296 percent by the year 2020, bringing the expected number of private cars in the emirate to 1.5 million, such measures will be increasingly important.

Offshore development
And it’s not just on dry land that the organisation has been busy. RTA also plans to upgrade marine transport modes including operation of Creek lines, coastal lines extending along Jumeirah beaches, and the vital artificial islands projects. As Al-Tayer explains, it’s a massive undertaking. “The main marine transport network will expand from 20km to more than 450km to serve all waterfront projects and property islands,” he says. “RTA is currently undertaking implementation of two superb projects encompassing operation of 20 ferries and 10 water taxis each capable of accommodating seven passengers.”

RTA is proceeding with field visits and meetings with developers operating in Dubai to explore means of boosting relations between the transport authority, property developers and their strategic partners. “This should facilitate the mobility of inhabitants and visitors to multiple destinations such as Palm Deira, Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali, The World and other water front projects. Such a network will minimise road traffic congestion and contribute to realising RTA’s strategic objective of expanding the geographical coverage of public transport in Dubai, and delivering such services at rates affordable to all.

“The UAE in general and Dubai in particular is experiencing massive development involving an influx of peoples and businesses. This has merited a sweeping overhaul of the infrastructure involving roads and the wider transport network – such as rail, marine, bus, taxi and other modes – to cope with the rising growth rates of population, projects and urban development” he concludes.

RTA’s grand vision

• Construction of roads extending 500km (including 120 multi-level interchanges) by 2020 at a cost of around 44 billion dirham.
• Expanded use of intelligent traffic systems and introducing policies and legislations to curb the increase in the number of vehicles.
• Allocation of bus-dedicated lanes, toll gates system, exclusive pedestrians and cyclists zones.
• Draft legislations related to vehicle registration and driver licensing.
• Massive expansions in public transport systems that span 380km of rail lines and 270km of tram lines between 2009 and 2011.
• Increase the bus fleet to 3000 buses operating in lines extending 3000km and expected to carry around one million passengers per day.
• Launch initiatives to encourage mass transit such as Sharekni and Awselni.
• Upgrade marine transport modes includes operation of Creek lines, coastal lines extending along Jumeirah beaches, and the vital artificial islands projects. Main marine transport network will expand from 20km to more than 450km to serve all waterfront projects and property islands.

Infographic:
Last year the RTA’s Public Transport Agency managed to commute over 94 million passengers in more than two million trips by public transport buses operating on 85 routes.

Dubai Metro

Like all modern cities, Dubai’s transportation needs are growing rapidly due to increasing demand from international business relocations, a swell in commercial activities, the rise of tourism and a fast-growing increasing population.

As part of its modernisation programme, the Dubai Government commissioned studies to evaluate the most efficient and cost-effective solution to combat traffic congestion and pollution; the result was the creation and development of a Metro for Dubai City.

The aims of the project are to provide an alternative mode of transport to ease congestion, cut down on passenger travelling time, reduce traffic pollution (thus improving environmental quality), improve mobility within the city, provide a connection to Dubai International Airport, and deliver modern, comfortable and reliable services to users. The Dubai Metro is intended to provide transport coverage and reach to all strategic areas of the city, and develop the network to branch out into the suburbs with future extensions.

The Dubai Metro is the RTA’s flagship project. It has a sizeable budget (approximately AED15.5 billion total investment, inclusive of project management fees and utility diversions); involves state-of-the-art engineering and technological challenges; has visibility throughout the city; is an architectural showpiece; and has a direct role in providing social benefits. In addition, it will be a catalyst for improving real estate value, economic development and urban regeneration along its main route and arteries. Dubai Metro will create an additional source of employment opportunities for both local population as well as the region.

It is worth noting that the Dubai Metro will be a watershed in the Arabian Peninsula, as it will be the first railway system of its kind to be introduced in the region.