10 February 2008
Abu Dhabi: The National Transport Authority will consider all options in its quest for a world class transport system that will improve safety, reduce congestion and protect the environment across the UAE.
But congestion charges will not be an option at the federal level, assured a top official.
"The [National Transport Authority] NTA explored all avenues to reduce congestion, cut traffic pollution and improve air quality across the country, but it has not recommended congestion charges at the federal level," Dr Nasser Saif Al Mansouri, general manager of NTA, told Gulf News.
In an exclusive interview, Al Mansouri spoke of NTA's strategic plan for the next three years to build an integrated, reliable and environment-friendly efficient transport system fit for both businesses and people across the country.
Gulf News: The UAE experiences rising population, rapid economic growth and growing tourism, without a corresponding growth in public transport. What challenges is the NTA facing and what are your strategic objectives for the next three years?
Dr Nasser Saif Al Mansouri: Decisions had to be made today because the environmental impact of transport had to be tackled quickly.
NTA's strategy sets out priorities to reduce congestion, curb road accident fatalities, improve journey times and connections, reduce emissions, improve quality, accessibility and affordability of transport.
Unless immediate action is taken, the UAE's transport system will face strong challenges in the future. Congestion on our roads is increasing, people are buying more cars, and emissions are increasing. Over 400,000 trucks are plying the roads across the UAE and the number is expected to double in the next five to seven years. More than four million traffic offences are committed annually.
The challenges we face are significant but not impossible.
We will build new rail and shipping lines across the UAE, invest in strategic road links and improve the bus network.
Our strategy maps out the long term future for transport in the UAE. Across rail, bus, ferry and road systems we set out our objectives, priorities and plans to make that vision a reality.
NTA aims to have a world class transport system fit for the 21st century. An integrated, reliable and environment-friendly efficient transport system fit for both businesses and people across the country.
It wants to see our emirates better connected, with more comfortable, reliable and faster journeys. It wants to see the UAE's businesses move their goods to market efficiently, reliably and competitively. It wants to reduce emissions. It wants to see UAE transport reducing its impact on the environment, particularly carbon emissions.
NTA wants to reduce traffic offences by 10 per cent this year, 20 per cent next year and 30 per cent by the end of 2010, through fostering traffic safety education and adopting traffic impact studies.
What are the areas NTA will focus on in its strategic plan?
The strategic plan of NTA focuses on several areas, including improving safety, reducing congestion, protecting the environment, ensuring excellent connectivity and having a transportation network and infrastructure that improve economic productivity and growth in the UAE.
The main issues are firstly, safety in transportation and controlling road deaths and injuries.
Secondly, reducing traffic and congestion on roads is crucial to the use of the transportation systems in an efficient way.
NTA's strategy encourages the building of mass-transit and public transport systems to reduce the use of private cars and includes the Metro train network, rail and buses.
Thirdly, NTA is focusing on clean and more sustainable environmental solutions in transportation.
Fourthly, the UAE is enjoying great economic growth and the transportation sector must keep up with such growth.
NTA is pushing for an integrated transportation system - maritime, land and rail - to promote economic growth and a prosperous UAE.
Will congestion charges be an option in the package of measures to tackle congestion and pollution?
No, NTA has not recommended congestion charges to eliminate or reduce traffic congestion to the optimal level.
Instead, NTA proposes a package of measures to address the problem, including building new rail and shipping lines as well as road links and improve the bus network across the country.
How will NTA work to integrate the different transport systems and programmes across the emirates?
A major initiative of NTA is to completely integrate transport systems, regulations and programmes at the federal and local levels, in keeping with the Cabinet decision to set up a committee to coordinate roads with members representing the local auth-orities concerned, the Public Works Ministry and NTA.
The country has hardly any joint land or sea transport projects among the emirates.
We want to achieve an increase of 50 per cent in joint projects this year, 60 per cent next year and 100 per cent by the end of 2010.
NTA also aims to increase integration of the federal and local transport regulations by 70 per cent this year, 80 per cent next year and 90 per cent by the end of 2010.
Integrated land and sea transport systems will also be increased by 60 per cent this year, 70 per cent next year and 90 per cent by the end of 2010.
This takes us to coordination between federal and local transport authorities.
Yes, NTA aims to set up two national transport committees to coordinate between local and federal authorities this year. There will be three such committees next year and the number will be five in 2010.
What will be your contribution to studies on the development of land and sea transport and road improvement across the country?
NTA will conduct two land and sea transport studies this year, three similar studies will be made next year and three others in 2010.
We will also conduct three studies on traffic accidents and means to curb them this year, five similar studies will be made next year and six studies will be conducted in 2010.
How will NTA reduce the death toll in road accidents?
NTA will launch campaigns and foster efforts of other authorities to educate the public on traffic safety.
We aim to reduce road accident deaths from the present rate of 19-21 deaths per 100,000 people by 10 per cent this year, seven per cent next year and five per cent in 2010.
We want also to cut the number of the annual traffic offences by 10 per cent this year, 20 per cent next year and 30 per cent in 2010.
It is, however, the responsibility of all sections of society and not just authorities to educate people, especially young drivers, about traffic safety because it helps save lives.
What is your plan to foster the transport sector's contribution to gross domestic product (GDP)?
The present contribution of the transport sector to GDP is five per cent.
We aim to increase the contribution to six per cent this year, 6.5 per cent next year and seven per cent by the end of 2010.
We also want to improve our resources and eventually reach self-sufficiency. This year, we target to increase our resources by 30 per cent, 50 per cent next year and 60 per cent in 2010.
What about emiratisation?
NTA has 55 per cent Emirati staff.
We plan to increase the percentage to 75 per cent this year, 80 per cent next year and 85 per cent in 2010.
Transportation: Strategic plan
The National Transport Authority (NTA) was established in Abu Dhabi in December 2006 to focus on several strategic areas, including improving safety, reducing congestion, protecting the environment, ensuring excellent connectivity and having a transportation network and infrastructure that improve economic productivity and growth in the UAE.
Among its main concerns are firstly, safety in transportation and controlling road deaths and injuries is a priority.
Secondly, to reduce traffic and congestion on roads to use the transportation systems in an efficient way. NTA's strategy encourages the building of mass transit and public transport systems to reduce the use of private cars that includes Metro, rail and buses.
Thirdly, to focus on clean and more sustainable environmental solutions in transportation and control of emission from vehicles on the roads.
Fourthly, NTA wants to to enable the transportation sector to keep up with the UAE's rapid economic growth. NTA is pushing for an integrated transportation system - maritime, land and rail - to promote economic growth and for a prosperous UAE.
By Samir Salama
Gulf News 2008. All rights reserved.
