Master Plan aims to bolster socio-economic development by providing a governance framework supporting safe, fair and efficient freight movements

Plan integrates surface transport services: road, rail, air and maritime freight transport with key industrial locations, port and airport facilities

Free to attend Master Plan launch event for the freight industry and the public on February 4 2014

Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 - As part of its commitment to providing integrated, safe, and sustainable world-class transportation services in line with the Surface Transport Master Plan (STMP) and Abu Dhabi 2030 Vision, the Department of Transport (DoT) in Abu Dhabi, today unveiled Multi-modal Freight Master Plan, an integrated framework which will regulate and set standards to bolster the role of the freight sector in business and trade.

Developed in close coordination and cooperation with many stakeholders from both the government and private sectors directly involved in planning and providing freight transportation services Emirate, nationwide and beyond, the Freight Master Plan is geared towards supporting the anticipated socio-economic development drive of Abu Dhabi. It aims to do so helping to integrate high quality infrastructure such as the new Khalifa Port and Etihad Rail, and provide regulations and supporting guidelines.

To this end, the Multi-modal Freight Master Plan seeks to create safe, fair and efficient regulations that both support the economic efficiency of the freight sector and improve safe standards for truck operations, which revolve around nine themes:

1. Freight governance

2. Multi-modal policy

3. Freight planning guidance

4. Road infrastructure

5. Road freight traffic management

6. Road freight industry management

7. Rail freight

8. Sea freight

9. Air freight

With road users' safety as a top priority, the Master Plan promises to improve road freight traffic to minimize truck accidents by ensuring goods trucks are well maintained and managed and by advocating measures to prevent drivers from falling asleep at the wheel.

Mr. Mohamed Nasser Al Otaiba, Director of Freight Division at the Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi, said: "With the Emirate's economy forecast to go up by 250% between now and 2030, freight is an integral part of the economic diversification plans for Abu Dhabi in which moving goods and commodities is poised to be the catalyst for development and prosperity. The DoT is therefore keen to ensure that Multi-modal Freight Master Plan is meticulously designed to cater to the current and future needs of freight sector by providing governance framework."

"In developing the Master Plan, we have worked closely with all concerned parties from the public and private sector to ensure it addresses all concerns and issues whilst delivering positive changes in the freight sector, especially against the background of the persistent and uncompromising challenges of road safety", he added.

In order to ensure the Freight Mater Plan achieves its overarching objectives and helps bring unrivalled levels of benefits for all stakeholders, the DoT is planning to implement it through the four Ps' concepts:

1. Persuade people to change their behaviour

2. Provide infrastructure and other public services

3. Pressure people to positively change their behaviour

4. Prescribe using regulations

Furthermore, the DoT is cordially inviting the Freight industry and public to attend the  Abu Dhabi Multi-modal Freight Master Plan Launch event at Park Rotana Hotel, Abu Dhabi, on February 4th free of charge. The event, which is aimed to communicate the Emirate's vision for a safe, fair and efficient multimodal freight sector in Abu Dhabi, will have a Freight Master Plan Launch presentation, two workshops on driver fatigue and vehicle maintenance, vehicle inspection demonstrations as well as offer the chance to meet other relevant Government stakeholders.

To participate and attend in the event, please log on the following link to register:

dot.abudhabi.ae/freight2030/en/info/Freight_2030_Launch_Event

The Department of Transport (DoT) was established pursuant to Law No. 4 of year 2006, amended by Law No. 5 of year 2008 to cover the entire value chain and ensure fully coordinated planning in all aspects of transport policy and development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in cooperation with all relevant local, regional and international stakeholders and partners.

For more information or inquiries, please contact:
Mahmoud Ahmed Elasheri
Public Relations & Communications Consultant
Department of Transport
T: +971-2-656-6327
Email: mahmoud.elasheri@dot.abudhabi.ae

Zainab Al Zubaidi
PR & Communications Officer
Department of Transport
T: +971-2-656-6425
Email: zainab.alzubaidi@dot.abudhabi.ae

© Press Release 2014