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Sustainable Transport-Eye on the UAE |
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by Arushi Madan | 17-08-2016 18:51
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Sustainable Transport is sometimes known as Green Transport and it is any form of transport that does not use or rely on dwindling natural resources. Instead it relies on renewable or regenerated energy rather than fossil fuels that have a finite life expectancy. Sustainable transport systems make a positive contribution to the environmental, social and economic sustainability of the communities they serve.
THE UAE IS EMBRACING SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT
Today, we are seeing a strong interest in promoting more sustainable transportation patterns in the Middle East and specially the UAE. Abu Dhabi's Department of Transport (DoT) was established in 2006 to support and regulate the development and growth of a world-class transport system in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. DoT has greatly supported the deployment of sustainable transportation solutions. According to its latest report, the focus has been on addressing the challenges of congestion, developing the capacity of public transportation and building roads and transportation network infrastructure in order to reduce travel times, facilitate the development of multimodal transportation networks and the use of intelligent transport systems. The department has also addressed the issue of safety by creating road traffic safety and security programs, implementing safety and security standards in all construction projects and ensuring the safety and security of all the government's employees, in addition to the integration of environmental solutions to augment efficiency and savings within the transport system. The Road and Transport Authority (RTA) of the Emirate of Dubai has put in place comprehensive plans and policies to achieve its vision to make Dubai an accessible and environment friendly city. The Emirate of Dubai has pioneered the concept of public transport in the region by realizing in an early stage a high need for sustainable development. RTA has put in place a range of environment-friendly services and products starting from the electric-powered driverless 'Dubai Metro', 'Tram' system generating zero carbon waste, to public buses that use a specific type of fuel that only contains 50 ppm of sulfur whereas the commercial fuel in use has a 500 ppm sulfur content, to car park machines operating with solar energy technologies, to the deployment of a number of hybrid vehicles in the Dubai Taxi fleet, bio-fuel powered bus , in addition to recently reported conversion of vehicles to operate on natural gas. UAE has invested in high speed rail system, light rail system in addition to cycling projects. Each year, the Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport (DAST) motivates the business community to present effective solutions that reduce the negative impacts of transportation issues in the UAE. DAST awards governmental or private companies. These companies have enhanced sustainability through innovative transportation solutions that increase mobility for all and improve safety as well as reducing transportation greenhouse and air pollution emissions.
The UAE is embracing sustainable transport in a big way by removing fuel subsidies and encouraging the use of electric and hybrid vehicles. The emirates of Ajman, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi have announced free parking for electric and eco-friendly cars, and Dubai has agreed to provide toll-free travel and special parking for electric cars. Dubai has also set a target for 10% of its civic vehicle fleet to be electric by 2020. World famous exhibition "World Future Energy Summit (WFES)" will focus on Sustainable Transport, next year in Abu Dhabi from 16-19 January 2017. 'WFES-Sustainable Transport' will be the perfect way to place business at the heart of the sustainable transport community in the MENA region. Taking place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, Sustainable Transport, hosted by Masdar, is an exhibition for regional and international manufacturers and distributors to showcase the latest industry developments in the sector.
Sustainable transportation and mobility play an important role in the advancement of the sustainable development agenda of countries. It has an impact on the public's health and safety and to some extent play a role in the economic growth of the country for better and sustainable life for us and the coming generations. The UAE has strongly encouraged, supported and invested in the development of sustainable transport systems. In a nutshell, sustainable transportation has significant and long lasting economic, social and environmental impacts, and so is an important dimension of urban sustainability. Deploying efforts into this field can help in creating a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come. www.earthtimes.org/encyclopaedia/environmental-issues/sustainable-transport/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_transport http://sustainablesquare.com/sustainable-transportation-eye-on-the-united-arab-emirates-2/ |
    
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15 Comments
Greetings arushi
I hope you are doing well
Great piece of article
Thank you so much for this report
Keep writing
Green cheers
Regards
Asmita Gaire
Posted 01-06-2020 11:17
It's a great to know that even UAE is a country where petroleum industry is huge, UAE doing many important things towards sustainable transport. Very interesting report. Thank you for sharing Arushui.
Posted 26-08-2016 16:38
Thanks for your comment Arushi. It's good to know more and more people are using the public transportation and that it's well maintained and improving! thanks as usual
Posted 24-08-2016 17:18
UAE's population is 9 million out of which 84% is expatriates or foreign workers/residents like me and many other ambassadors. If you got the info that public transport is mainly used by expats, that itself shows that 84% of population uses it .
Cars are affordable here (due to no taxes etc) and also petrol is cheap so locals tend to buy expensive cars, that's true.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and other agencies are urging people to use more and more of public transportation, they have been improving the infrastructure like frequent shuttle buses till metro station etc. I am sure that number of people using them is increasing.
RTA has deployed sophisticated, safe and comfortable buses coupled with the operation of the Dubai Metro and the availability of marine transport means and taxis.I don't agree that public transport is uncomfortable. I have used buses and metros and am so much impressed with the comfort, punctuality and frequency.
Thanks for your comment.
Posted 23-08-2016 19:29
Hi Arushi! Thanks for your fast response to this month's topic! I've recently had an opportunity to meet someone who worked in the UAE doing a researching for an international organization and heard that public transport is not so much used and quite uncomfortable since it's usually for foreign workers and that the natives usually have fancy cars and thus not in need for public transport. On that line, while i was reading this report, was wondering whether the green public transport easily accessible to general people, cause otherwise it would be frustrating to find out there is no substantial decrease in personal car use and carbon emission. Thanks for your comment and insight on this!
Posted 23-08-2016 17:19
It can unequivocally be said that UAE is a growing leader and a hub in the context of sustainable transport technologies. Thanks for the enlightening report, Arushi:)
Posted 18-08-2016 16:09
You always write amazing report Arushi ) I love your report, its easy to see the key points...anyways, Its seems like UAE always have something to say about environmental policies/actions that everyone can be motivated from. Nice Report!
Posted 18-08-2016 12:39
Most countries will have to learn from UAE when it comes to sustainable development. Kudos and thanks for the report - Arushi.
Posted 18-08-2016 08:02
I quite enjoy tram rides. The effort that Dubai is putting into sustainability is quite commendable. I hope to visit the city once again,but this time, taking time to enjoy the sustainability efforts and learn from them.
Posted 18-08-2016 02:13
Wow it looks like a lot of things are going on at UAE. The driverless Dubai Metro seems very interesting to me is it safe to operate it only depending on technology? I assert all these programs will contribute a lot to reducing carbon emission in your nation. Thanks for sharing and have a great day!
Posted 18-08-2016 01:22
UAE is doing a lot effort to reduce carbon emission system. I think it takes a good way to face this problem because Transportation is causing a lot emmission carbon from the building of the materials to the transportation process. Thank you for sharing this very interesting decision in UAE.
Posted 18-08-2016 01:19
@Olamide: Thanks for reading and liking my report. Thanks for your comment too. You are most welcome here. You are cordially invited to visit the UAE.
Posted 18-08-2016 00:42
@Adam: Yeah, UAE is working actively on all fronts of sustainable development including sustainable transport. Thanks for reading the report & commenting.
Posted 18-08-2016 00:41
This is a well written piece! The UAE is setting standards and a cynosure for all in the area of sustainable practices and development. I long to visit one day @Arushi, hahaha, hope you'll invite me? thumbs up!
Posted 17-08-2016 21:45
Such exemplary modes of public transportation in the UAE is sure to come to good use. People will acknowledge its benefits in terms of the environment and also its design, accessibility, and prestige is sure to attract many. Events, awards, etc. from the government is also commendable. I learned a lot from your report, thank you!
Posted 17-08-2016 19:30