The train arriving at a platform in Dubai in a few years’ time cannot arrive a moment too soon.
The Dubai Light Rail project is a critical part of the strategy designed to ease traffic congestion on Dubai’s roads. The choked roads of Dubai, which will see another 45,000 vehicles added to the population this year, is repeated in other GCC cities.
The traffic picture makes next weeks Gulf Traffic exhibition critically important to industry and governments alike.
Traffic problems world-wide has seen a consensus develop that the issue is best tackled through an integrated transport policy embracing public and private transport and managed through the deployment of ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems) technologies.
Dubai has embraced the philosophy with a raft of initiatives aimed at boosting the transport infrastructure to ease congestion, spread the transportation load and make roads safer and smarter. They include:
• The development of the $3.4 billion Dubai Light Rail project that will link most key locations in the city and extend to the growth corridor of Sheikh Zayed Road.
• Recently-revealed plans for a network of monorails that will link major developments to Dubai Light Rail.
• The creation of the new Dubai Roads and Transportation Authority, designed to take an integrated and strategic view of transportation needs in the city.
• The 2006 launch of the Falcon Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) project with a purpose-built Traffic Management Centre at its heart.
• Plans to introduce tolling systems on major roads into the city.
The whole package of initiatives has turned Dubai into traffic’s “living laboratory” and a must visit destination for road engineers and experts in traffic management.
It is no surprise then that Gulf Traffic 2005 will be the Middle East’s biggest ever traffic and transportation exhibition and conference, attracting the some of the world’s leading experts in traffic management.
A key exhibitor at Gulf Traffic 2005 will be Serco, a world-leading firm specializing in the development and integration of complex monitoring and control systems for transport projects around the world.
Serco is at the event fresh from winning a $400 million contract to operate and maintain the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) in London, the city with probably the most complex transport network in the world.
The DLR contract is for seven years, extendable by two years, depending on performance, and is due to run from April, 2006.
Serco (stand 1313) will be showcasing its latest ITS technologies during Gulf Traffic 2005. Visitors to the stand will be able to gain an insight into the active traffic management systems that Serco has designed, built and which it operates in major conurbations around the world.
The exhibit comes to Dubai from San Francisco where Serco was a major participant in the ITS World Congress in November, 2005.
“Gulf Traffic 2005 will feature a comprehensive range of solutions to traffic and transportation issues. All regional governments will be present at the show and will be looking at products and services for cities across the GCC. Side-by-side with the show is a special Gulf Traffic Conference,“ said Davyd Farrell, Transport Project Director, IIR Middle East, organizers of Gulf Traffic.
Gulf Traffic 2005 is being held in Dubai from 12 to 14 December 2005 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre.
About Gulf Traffic
Gulf Traffic is the Middle East's premier traffic and transport infrastructure show. Now into it's 3rd edition, Gulf Traffic will be the largest-scale traffic event the region has ever seen. Combining both a conference and an international exhibition, Gulf Traffic is the forum for addressing the region’s traffic and transportation needs.
Chief event sponsors for Gulf Traffic 2005 are Dubai Municipality with the UAE Ministry of Interior as the key government sponsor. Gold Sponsors for the event are leading transportation consultants Wilbur Smith with both 3M and Avery Dennison as Silver Sponsors.
New features for 2005 include dedicated areas for; Parking, Highways, GIS & Urban Planning and Street furniture and lighting. Also new for 2005 is a co-located exhibition & conference for railways, MENA Rail 2005 will be the MENA region’s first dedicated event of its kind.
About Gulf Traffic
Gulf Traffic is the Middle East's premier traffic and transport infrastructure show. Now into its 3rd edition, Gulf Traffic will be the largest-scale traffic event the region has ever seen. Combining both a conference and an international exhibition, Gulf Traffic is the forum for addressing the region’s traffic and transportation needs.
Chief event sponsors for Gulf Traffic 2005 are Dubai Municipality with the UAE Ministry of Interior as the key government sponsor. Gold Sponsors for the event are leading transportation consultants Wilbur Smith with both 3M and Avery Dennison as Silver Sponsors.
New features for 2005 include dedicated areas for; Parking, Highways, GIS & Urban Planning and Street furniture and lighting. Also new for 2005 is a co-located exhibition & conference for railways, MENA Rail 2005 will be the MENA region’s first dedicated event of its kind. For more information, please log on to: www.gulftraffic.com
