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

  • Video-as-a-Sensor technology for intelligent infrastructure solutions from Bosch
    September 4, 2020
    As street and sidewalk congestion and connected vehicle use increases, city planners and traffic engineers face new issues. The challenge to choose technology solutions that can assist today and adapt as autonomous vehicles take to the road is quite complex, as Bosch points out.
  • Utah Department of Transportation: How we’re using traffic analytics software
    February 4, 2025
    Our use of Iteris ClearGuide lets our traffic operations engineers interpret critical probe traffic data without the need for statisticians and software developers
  • Integrating traffic systems improves management and control
    April 25, 2012
    Following a successful trial in 2007, VicRoads has adopted Streams Motorway Management from Transmax as its primary traffic management and control system Throughout the world, the avoidable social cost of traffic congestion continues to rise each year with increased motorisation, urbanisation and population growth. Traffic congestion is responsible for an increase in travel times, vehicle operating costs and carbon emissions. In 2007, VicRoads commissioned Streams Motorway Management for the M1 Monash Freew
  • Grey areas: who's legally responsible for C/AVs?
    October 22, 2018
    Connected and autonomous vehicles are an exciting development in the ITS sector – but amid the hype some big questions about their deployment remain unanswered, finds Ben Spencer Connected and autonomous vehicles (C/AVs) have the potential to change the way we travel - and to eliminate road fatalities. But policy makers and regulators will need to ensure user and public safety is included in future planning. The legal and insurance industries will have to catch up, too. For example, questions over who is