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The Department of Transport (DoT) in Abu Dhabi announced that it is to embark on a study project to create Al Ain Area Surface Transport Master Plan (AASTMP), drawing the future of transport in Al Ain region in the coming 20 years.
The AASTMP will be developed in line with ’Plan Al Ain 2030’, which aims to enhance the urban infrastructure of Al Ain region and enable the city and its suburbs to address the needs of expected population growth and urban expansion.
The AASTMP will take into consideration the full-range of transport investments and policy options to support Plan Al Ain 2030 including rail, tram, bus, taxi, and main roads, as well as measures aimed at reducing the dependency on personal vehicles for movement. It will also focus special attention to cross-border transportation of individuals and goods with the neighbouring Sultanate of Oman.
The AASTMP is scheduled to be completed in the first half of 2011. It is multi-phased and includes inception, identification and design of immediate traffic congestion solutions, safeguarding of transport corridors, identification and assessment of transport options, and modelling of transport options. The AASTMP will be developed in accordance with the guidelines of Abu Dhabi’s STMP, of which Al Ain is an integral component.
Abdulla Rashed Al Otaiba, Chairman of the Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi, said: "Al Ain Area Surface Transport Master Plan intends to leverage this region by enhancing economic, touristic, cultural and social activities through the provision of a comprehensive and sustainable transport network that meets current and future needs whilst upholding the unique heritage and environmental character of Al Ain region.
"Challenged by forecasted population growth that will top one million in Al Ain region within the upcoming two decades, the AASTMP will propose an accessible and effective transport network that interconnects Al Ain with Abu Dhabi, the rest of the UAE and the neighbouring Sultanate of Oman through state-of-the-art, and multi-modal transport network, allowing easy travel", he added.
The DoT is developing the AASTMP in close consultation with Al Ain Municipality and Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) and other strategic partners from the public and private sectors. In addition, the DoT plans to host a series of public consultation workshops and meetings to ensure that people are kept informed and that public opinion is taken into consideration. A special committee of the DoT, Al Ain Municipality, and the UPC will be set up to follow up on the progress of the project.
The execution of the AASTMP, similar to Abu Dhabi’s, will be delivered in phases every 5 years.
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