Skip to main content

Qatar to get Intelligent Transport System in time for 2022 World Cup

Qatar’s Public Works Authority (Ashghal) is in the final phase of preparing an ITS master plan, while smart transport solutions have already been integrated in the traffic system in the country, with the aim of implementing a fully integrated Intelligent Transport System (ITS) before the FIFA World Cup 2022. Plans include special lanes for buses, more advanced surveillance cameras, a dedicated radio station to raise traffic awareness and special operation rooms to deal with accidents and other emergencies.
November 9, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Qatar’s Public Works Authority (5840 Ashghal) is in the final phase of preparing an ITS master plan, while smart transport solutions have already been integrated in the traffic system in the country, with the aim of implementing a fully integrated Intelligent Transport System (ITS) before the FIFA World Cup 2022.

Plans include special lanes for buses, more advanced surveillance cameras, a dedicated radio station to raise traffic awareness and special operation rooms to deal with accidents and other emergencies.

Football fans and local residents will be able to access real time information on the traffic situation by on an interactive map on the website of the Ministry of Interior or the organising committee.

“The latest achievement was the establishment of the traffic signal control room at Ashghal, which is linked to 28 intersections across Doha. Another 15 intersections will be added to the system in the next three months,” said Ashgal’s Emad Nasaruddin, speaking at a session focusing on Qatar’s preparations for the World Cup.

He went on to say that the control room had helped collect data about traffic accidents more quickly and identify the reasons for traffic congestion on several roads connected to the intersections. “This has helped us propose solutions to avoid future problems on such roads,” he said.

He pointed out that the ITS master plan will require regular updating to meet the changing trends in technology.  “The plan should be flexible considering the rapid changes taking place in digital technology. The ITS strategy should provide informative, intelligent, reliable and integrated solutions,” he added.

Ashghal, in collaboration with the traffic department, will establish a dynamic travel information system and a national traffic management centre in the next phases of the ITS project.

Quatar’s Ministry of Interior recently launched a pilot project to use smart solutions for monitoring vehicular traffic. The pilot project will use Masarak, a suit of smart applications developed by the 6854 Qatar Mobility Innovations Centre (QMIC) at the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP). Masarak provides real time information about traffic flow in different areas allowing the user to plan the trip accordingly and to monitor traffic.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Here to lead vehicle hazard warning pilot in Finland
    July 1, 2015
    Mapping and navigation specialist Here has been selected by Finnish traffic agencies Finnish Transport Agency (FTA) and Trafi, the Finnish Transport Safety Agency to lead a pilot project to enable vehicles to communicate safety hazards to others on the road. Here will also work with traffic information management service company Infotripla in implementing the project, which will be the first to implement a road hazard warning messaging system as described in the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
  • Maintaining momentum: learning lessons from the London Olympics
    November 15, 2013
    Japan will not only host this year’s ITS World Congress but has been selected for the 2020 Olympics. So what can Japan, and indeed Brazil, learn from the traffic management for London 2012 - Geoff Hadwick finds out. It was a key moment when Olympic boss Jacques Rogge signed off London 2012, calling the Games “happy and glorious.” Scarred by the logistical disaster of Atlanta 1996 and the last-minute building panic for Athens 2008, Rogge clearly thought London 2012 was an object lesson in how to plan and
  • Connecting DoTs with IoT for secure, connected transportation systems
    January 11, 2022
    Michelle Maggiore of Cisco outlines how connected roadways and intersections can help improve safety, reduce traffic congestion, and minimise our carbon footprint
  • Positive incentives an alternative to road user charging?
    February 1, 2012
    The Netherlands has been looking at incentivising rush-hour avoidance. The intention is to better understand road users' motivations and find alternatives to congestion charging. Something significant needs to happen if we are to adequately address the traffic congestion and other issues caused by the ever-rising numbers of vehicles on our roads. Congestion or distance-based charging is seen as one way of managing demand and raising revenue for improvements to transport infrastructure. However, charging is