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The Roads and Transport Authority - Mohammed Al Munji: HE Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), revealed that the first session of the Government Innovation Lab held last June dedicated to discussing RTA services to the business sector was all success. He cited that as much as 15 innovative ideas had been generated by that inaugural session.
"The Innovation Lab, featuring the participation of several CEOs, Directors of the RTA as well as university students and representative of Earnest & Young Consultancies, has generated 21 ideas covering four Agencies (six ideas for the Licensing Agency, and five ideas for each of the Traffic & Roads Agency, Rail Agency, and Public Transport Agency). Following discussions and reviewing such ideas and initiatives, 8 ideas were endorsed, 7 ideas would be subjected to more studies, and 6 ideas were eliminated," said Al Tayer.
"The selection of RTA services to the business sector as a theme for the inaugural session of the Innovation Lab is attributed to several considerations highlighted by the keenness to realize 'Peoples Happiness'; a top priority of our wise leadership. Moreover, the economy is one of the key development drivers in the UAE in general and the Dubai Emirate in particular. Dubai is continuously seeking to nurture an environment hospitable to global investments, and launch a variety of economic projects. The RTA is offering 66 services to the business sector deliverable via several channels: 27 through smart-phones, 23 through the website, 53 through customers' service centers, 17 through the Call Center (8009090), 6 through RTA Departments, and 2 via the self-service system.
"The RTA will embark on the implementation of the deliverables of the Innovation Lab as early as next September. Among the key ideas & initiatives that will be implemented is the smart system of managing billboards, which will cut short the frequent visits to RTA customers' service centers. Among initiatives put forward is 'Akas' for fitting an RTA vehicle with cameras and surveillance systems for spotting illegal taxi practitioners. The array of initiatives also include Your Business Manager calling for appointing dedicated Account Managers for companies depending on the classification of their scope of work in order to follow-up their needs and offer excellent services to them. Initiatives to be implemented this year also include preparing an electronic guide for investment opportunities in Dubai Metro stations to introduce the investment prospects at metro stations, display information needed by investors such as ad area, dimensions and the location of the station. Initiatives identified for implementation also included the launch of the second generation of the car parking tariff.
"In 2016 and 2017 the RTA will implement three initiatives including the e-Limo system relating to the automation of procedures enabling Limo firms process their transactions online without obliging them to visit customers service centers. The second is Test & Drive initiative enabling the motorist to leave the test facility upon the completion of the technical testing of the vehicle where the Center will cater to the rest of procedures including the dispatch of the registration card by post. In the third quarter of 2016, the RTA will introduce the Smart Service Centers involving the opening of RTA counters at the premises of mega firms for processing transactions of RTA services.
"The RTA will subject 7 ideas & initiatives to further studying. These include offering Ladies Limo service targeting businesswomen, authorizing approved auto dealers in the UAE to carry out the technical testing of vehicles as part of the periodic maintenance programs, especially those under maintenance contracts, offering business sector services at metro stations & facilities, and utilizing spaces in the metro stations for short-term advertising campaigns. Initiatives to be studied also include offering the Last Kilometer transport services through providing simple, providing user-friendly and convenient transit means shuttling between rail stations and destinations within the last kilometer, introducing a standardized system for all NOCs & work permits of the Rail Agency, and availing integrated payment means for the business sector," explained Al Tayer.
7 Labs
Al Tayer further stated that the RTA would hold in the current year 7 innovation labs across affiliated agencies and sectors. The first lab will consider how to cope with the congestion experienced by the Dubai Metro, and the second lab will discuss limiting visits to customers service centers by 80% in 2018. The third lab will discuss the technical testing of vehicles and the fourth one will examine traffic bottlenecks. The fifth lab will review improvement projects of marine transport systems, the sixth will focus on simplifying services & procedures for NOL card holders, and the seventh will look into the outlines of RTA's Strategic Plan 2030.
Sustained Development
"Through the Government Innovation Labs, the RTA is seeking to bring tangible improvement in RTA's business processes towards realizing the ambitions of our prudent leaders for excellence. The sustained revamping of customers' services has been part & parcel of RTA's policy from inception. The RTA recognized that its prosperity and competitiveness in the race for excellence hinges heavily on innovation and the delivery of an added value in all projects and services. In this regard, the RTA has rolled out numerous initiatives in support of its quest for excellence. For instance it established the Future Team in 2007 and introduced RTA's Scientific Research Award in 2012. In 2013 it established the Innovation Center, and the Innovation Section, and endorsed the master plan of Research & Development, and in 2014 it established the Research, Development and Innovation Section," explained Al Tayer.
Location of Innovation Lab
Located at the premises of Dubai Tram at Al Safouh, RTA's Innovation Lab is the first government innovation lab in Dubai. It comprises sophisticated training halls fitted with the latest technologies with ample spaces for convening brainstorming sessions in addition to a gorgeous innovation club designed at high-class standards to provide an inspiring innovation environment. It also includes a library containing rich knowledge resources in a variety of fields which is being regularly updated with the latest resources, in addition to a center stage for presenting & debating ideas. The facility is also fitted with interactive display monitors enabling the sharing of the visual content between members, and these screens can be configured with the smart-phones & portable devices of the participants through wireless technology. The Lab also includes auxiliary facilities such as a rest hall, prayer room and meeting rooms.
© Press Release 2015
