RELATED ARTICLES: Dubai Expo 2020 to be ‘greenest’ in event history | RTA, NTA will collaborate to issue safety permits for Etihad Rail | Al Barsha roads construction contract endorsed by RTA
Investment in transportation has been the key driver behind the growth of cities like Dubai, the chairman of the board and the executive director of the Road and Transport Authority has said.
Speaking at the 2014 edition of the PMI Global Conference at Dubai World Trade Centre, Mattar Al Tayer said that as a multicultural city, Dubai would always be highly attractive for tourism and conferences.
As such, investment in transport infrastructure would be vital for a continued upward trajectory, he added.
“More than $80 billion has been invested in the city’s infrastructure, of which, $20 billion alone is dedicated for transport,” he said.
“Dubai Metro is the backbone of our transport network, due to the ease of access it provides along with its advanced linkage systems that allow the RTA to efficiently address emergency situations,” Al Tayer added.
“We are hoping Etihad Rail will be completed by 2018, as it would allow inter-emirate cooperation in the UAE. Existing transport systems will be expanded to facilitate access for the Expo visitors, which estimates have suggested will arrive from a record 200 or more countries.”
Al Tayer pointed out that the Dubai Expo 2020 would have a major impact on the city’s population estimates and increased trading opportunities. He added that a RTA team would be set up by 2917 to undertake crowd management, with the Expo in mind.
“Mobility is a key theme of the Expo 2020,” Al Tayer continued, adding that the RTA hoped to aid Dubai’s government in the accomplishment of its Expo theme targets.
“Green infrastructure will be an important part of the Expo preparations,” he insisted.
Al Tayer also stated that sustainability would be core to the RTA’s operations in preparation for the world event.
“Leading institutes have established here and environmental sustainability is at the heart of RTA’s operations. Dubai’s government as a whole seeks to improve and enhance its green credentials government.”