Business & Money | Sunday 20 March, 2016 4:43 pm |

HE Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced the participation of RTA in the ‘Dubai International Government Achievement Exhibition’ by showcasing a wide range of projects in transport sector, in addition to its smart services and initiatives in the areas of innovation and creativity.

 

The Dubai Government Excellence Program under the General Secretariat of The Executive Council of Dubai, is hosting the largest Dubai International Government Achievements Exhibition (DIGAE) 2016, under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, from 11 – 13 April 2016 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. 

 

DGEP revealed that the theme will be ‘Local Government and Global Achievements’. The fourth edition will include partnerships between the many departments within the framework of providing innovative services and service for residents and visitors. This exhibition will highlight integration among government departments to deliver quality services to customers, the public and enhance the level of happiness and satisfaction in these services in line with the vision of Dubai.

 

Al Tayer said that RTA, thanks to the support of the leadership, was able to integrate innovation services provided for the public to make them happy, by implementing several creative and innovative projects. Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram are two leading examples of these projects, which have contributed to make rapid strides in the transport network in Dubai. RTA also successfully completed converting all services offered to customers into smart, innovative and easy to use services. About 173 services were transformed and are now offered via 10 smart apps. Also Smart Mall is the first of its kind worldwide and available in 5 metro stations, enabling users to make smart shopping through an interactive creative screen. RTA also unveiled an initiative involving the construction of 100 smart air-conditioned bus shelters offering complimentary internet to public transport users and delivers services to the public. 

 

Commenting on the importance of RTA’s participation in the exhibition, Al Tayer said that the exhibition is a renowned event to showcase achievements, initiatives and projects of all government departments under the roof, to introduce the outstanding services provided by the Government of Dubai for its customers from institutions and individuals. He added that the exhibition will contribute to enhance the image of Dubai government, and strengthen cooperation and partnerships among governmental departments. It also contributes to raise the level of performance, productivity and quality of services provided to customers.

 

Elaborating on RTA’s adoption of innovation, smart transformation and sustainability in its projects and services, Al Tayer added: “Innovation today is a global requirement, as world’s strong economies are competing to adopt its concept and practices. This is because it is a key driver of the economic growth and an essential element in building a knowledge-based sustainable economy.”

 

 

Similarly, RTA adopted innovative solutions to face the transportation challenges in Dubai. Thanks to the support of the wise leadership, the RTA has managed to create innovative customer services to bring happiness to the public. It has an innovation committee whose mission is to develop plans, design programs and launch initiatives to contribute to implementing the leadership’s vision of driving Dubai to be the most innovative city in the world. The RTA also established a research, development and innovation section in 2014 and launched an annual scientific research award. It adopted the innovation strategy, which is currently being developed by an international consultant in keeping with the Dubai government’s drive. It had also launched the Innovation Lab Initiative to adopt the world’s best practices in various RTA operations, which would contribute to the realization of RTA’s vision of ensuring ‘Safe and Smooth Transport for All.’

 

 

HE Al Tayer also mentioned the upgrading of the Airport Road. The project will be completed by 2017, at a cost of AED 404 million. It’s part of its plan to cater to the projected growth in the number of travelers passing through Dubai International Airport, which is expected to touch 92 million passengers by 2020.

 

The project comprises the construction of bridges, tunnels at Al Rashidiya and Airport Road interchange with each of Casablanca Road, Marrakech Road and Nad Al Hamar Road. It also includes improving intersections and constructing a service road of three lanes in each direction to separate the traffic movement from and to Nad Al Hamar from the vehicular flow on Airport Road starting from Al Rashidiya Interchange up to Marrakech Interchange.

 

The project will contribute to increasing the handling capacity of Airport Road by an extra 5,000 vehicles per hour. It will also enhance the traffic safety level, and reduce the journey time on Airport Road from Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road to Casablanca Road from 30 minutes to 5 minutes.

 

Speaking about RTA projects in the run toward Expo 2020, HE Al Tayer said: “RTA has announced that the Red Line of Dubai’s Metro will extend 15 kilometers and add seven new stations from Nakheel Harbour and Tower to the site of Expo 2020. Other road developments on the radar include the Expo 2020-related road expansions including Al Yalayis road, the Gardens parallel roads and the university city road. Moreover, development of some of the intersections surrounding roads exhibition location, as well as the internal roads and squares positions to serve the global show. RTA will develop and control roads and transport necessary to manage traffic-related exhibition in an integrated manner, and develop lines and systems needed to service the show mass transit.”

 

DIGAE is a government initiative that aims to attract local government departments and institutions in Dubai to participate and put on display practical achievements and initiatives. This exhibition comes in line with the UAE Vision 2021 that calls for excellence at the international level. The exhibition promotes the excellence in government work in Dubai providing the best quality services to customers, institutions and individuals alike.