RTA - Nashwan Atta'ee: Work is progressing according to the plan developed by the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai for introducing the strategically important initiative of introducing intelligent transport systems to all public buses run by RTA Public Transport Agency (PTA). Such systems, the first of its type in the Middle East, are being integrated with Dubai Metro as well as marine transport modes in the emirate, according to Mohammed Abu Baker Al Hashemi, Director of PTA's Planning & Business Development.
"We have introduced new intelligent systems whereas the punctuality of public bus has now reached 36%, and work is up and running to push this rate as high as 75% by the mid of next year; which promises to be a massive increase completed in a record time compared to seasoned cosmopolitan cities with integrated mass transit systems. In a city with integrated mass transit modes, such as London, the punctuality of public buses is 75%; a rate achieved over long years of accumulated expertise in this field. Punctuality rate of public buses is 80% in Singapore; which has advanced public transport network with integrated public transport systems," commented Al Hashemi.
"PTA is implementing Dubai Strategic Transport Model; which is based on advanced strategies simulating the traffic movement of a certain area in order to study the quality of its residents, their life patterns and forecast their future requirements of public transport so as to identify their requirements of public transport and meet them using scientific and well rehearsed methods. Such methods are based on effective strategies developed in the light of findings of field surveys carried out by the teams of mobility management and transport policies programs of the Agency. Dubai has been divided into more than 1700 Traffic Analysis Zones and before that, the demographic data including the professions have been prepared for all the Traffic Analysis Zones. Residents have been classified into 17 groups based on gender, demographic groups (citizens and expatriates), and availability of vehicles, depending on the variation of mobility patterns between groups.
"The transport model adopted by the Agency aims at improving the currently operating bus routes, and opening new routes reflecting the actual position of journeys, with emphasis on improving & upgrading the service in order to raise the satisfaction rating of public bus users" he continued.
Al Hashemi commented on the host of projects undertaken in this regard saying: "The intelligent system projects currently applied by the Agency include Automated Vehicle Management, Unified Automated Fare Collection which was unleashed in full under the Nol brand, Journey Planner, and Real Time Passenger Information System; which provides passengers at public buses stations & stops as well as all metro stations with instant information of incoming buses and arrival times displayed on e-monitors in both Arabic & English.
"All the intelligent systems are controlled through PTA Operation Control Center (OCC) which monitors the efficiency and performance of public buses during the operational period, and controls their processes using satellite-linked sophisticated navigation systems. The OCC plays a crucial role in transforming the planned journey schedules into actual timings that meet the requirements of public bus users; thanks to the integrated operational roles of PTA departments.
"The core tasks carried out by the OCC are summarized in controlling all the operational processes of public buses, direct management of journey timing through directing untimely buses to maintain the arrival timings, direct contact with drivers through Request to Talk system, and adding extra services over and above the scheduled ones in order to cope with the demand on some services. Tasks also include streamlining the process of deploying alternative buses & drivers in special cases, responding to emergency cases such as accidents, and preparing all reports required for improvement and advancement of public bus services. The OCC, which is also the first of its kind in the Middle East, includes one of the biggest screens in the world and uses 3-D Geographic Information System.
"The most popular system of the whole project is the Journey Planner, known as Wojhati. This technology enables public transport commuters plan their daily travels in advance, as well as selecting the best, nearest, and the most suitable transport means that fits with their requirement and timing. Wojhati system can be used through the internet where passenger can request planning a number of daily or weekly trips in advance which will be forwarded back to them through the e-mail. In addition to that there are several other methods to be introduced in future spanning touch screens at key public bus & metro stations, specialist software to be downloaded on the mobile phones, SMS, and phone contact through Automatic Dialogue System.
"These systems play an active role in streamlining and tracking the movement of buses by PTA to ensure their timely arrival at stations. Moreover, they render mobility on buses a safe and smooth exercise for all; particularly noting that the buses imported by the RTA are among the best worldwide with comfortable and luxurious features across the three types; standard, articulated and double-deckers.
"Before embarking on implementing these systems, PTA had carried out several surveys and researches in collaboration with leading global companies specialized in this field where it had been agreed to apply top-notch practices applicable in public transport intelligent systems in keeping with the massive progress witnessed by the UAE in various fields" added Al Hashemi.
Al Hashemi concluded: "The intelligent systems currently under process at PTA will be subjected to trial runs that take several months before being actually applied to identify the points of strength & shortcomings so that they can be improved in order to work out the best means of improving the quality of service rendered to all community segments."
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© Press Release 2009
