DUBAI, 4th December, 2016 (WAM) -- Ten cities from around the world are participation in the 1st Urban Mobility Innovation Index Forum, hosted by RTA,'' announced Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
The event is the first of its kind worldwide, with 20 cities announcing their intention to participate in this Index. Al Tayer was speaking during the opening ceremony of the Forum in the presence of representatives for the 10 cities namely Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Barcelona, Casablanca, Istanbul, Johannesburg, Abuja, Vienna, Helsinki, and Sao Paulo. A number of RTAs CEOs, directors, and specialists also attended the opening ceremony. "The Urban Mobility Innovation Index launched by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, is the first of its kind worldwide. It aims at attracting countries with advanced knowledge in this discipline to offer the best innovative global practices in mobility," said Al Tayer. "The Index, which focuses on three themes: "Readiness, Implementation and Quality of Life, focuses on holding benchmarks with the authorities concerned at transport sector worldwide, identifying areas of innovation, conducting internal as well as specialised workshops presented by urban transport professionals. Phase I of the Index was implemented in five cities, namely London, Helsinki, Singapore Sao Paulo, and Dubai,'' he explained. According to him, the Index principally aims to foster cooperation among cities, conduct innovation benchmarking in mobility, and provide information network about advanced cities in innovative mobility. It is also intended to classify and compare various mobility innovation pillars measured by innovation in the Urban Mobility Innovation Index, in order to embark on self-improvement through engaging in practices, sharing expertise and using common codes and indicators. Al Tayer was pleased with the confirmation from of 20 cities to participate in the Urban Mobility Innovation Index. The list includes Amman, Amsterdam, Kuala Lumpur, Montreal, Munich, Warsaw New York, Sydney, Tokyo and Nairobi. The overall objective is to involve 30 cities in the inaugural edition of the Forum. "Data will soon be collected, processed and analysed, and the relevant reports will be prepared. The results of the first cycle of the Urban Mobility Innovation Index will be released at the UITP Congress in Montreal in May next year, and the Index will be implemented periodically through the UITP," said Al Tayer. During the Forum, the Urban Mobility Innovation Index Project was reviewed and the Innovation Index website was launched. A panel discussion and brainstorming session took place to discuss the data related to the Index. The participating delegations had a tour around Dubai via the Dubai Tram, Dubai Metro Dubai and public buses. The RTA adopted has recently approved its Innovation Strategy, which is based on three major pillars: Leadership, Excellence and Impact. This Strategy aims to empower the RTA deliver inspiring innovations at the present and future. After all, innovation plays a key role in improving products, services and business process towards generating a sustainable benefit for all community segments.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2016.
