Skip to main content

Masdar Institute and Abu Dhabi Department of Transport sign MoU

Abu Dhabi's Department of Transport (DoT) and Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a collaborative partnership on exchange of information in transportation. The MoU will enable the sharing of information on Abu Dhabi's public transport systems and basic traffic data to be used by Masdar Institute for a research project. The proj
December 24, 2012 Read time: 3 mins
Abu Dhabi's Department of Transport (DoT) and Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a collaborative partnership on exchange of information in transportation.

The MoU will enable the sharing of information on Abu Dhabi's public transport systems and basic traffic data to be used by Masdar Institute for a research project. The project will investigate the transportation infrastructure, technology needs and public attitudes in Abu Dhabi, pertinent to instituting a level of electrification in the Abu Dhabi transportation system.

The collaboration on exchange of information aims to develop a successful urban transport system in Abu Dhabi covering human resource development, integrated program management, knowledge management and intelligent transportation systems.

The MoU was signed by Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, and HE Mohamed Hareb Al Yousef, the Executive Director of the Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi.

HE Mohamed Hareb Al Yousef said: "DoT will provide Masdar Institute with the technical details including the provision of basic data on traffic in the city and the status of public transport services to facilitate the research project. Our participation will ensure that the scope of research is consistent with the objectives of the department's strategy on intelligent transport systems (ITS)."

Dr. Sgouris Sgouridis, Associate Professor, and Dr. Amro Farid, Assistant Professor, both from the Engineering Systems and Management program, Masdar Institute, will be the principal investigators of the project. Eng. Salah Mohamed Al Marzouqi, the acting director of Integrated Intelligent Transportation Systems Division in Department of Transport will be the lead coordinator in regards to the provision of data and technical advice to the research team.

Dr Fred Moavenzadeh said: "The agreement with DoT further demonstrates our continuing commitment to bring innovations in clean energy systems. Research collaborations are the ideal way for an academic institution to solidify its role in implementing innovative solutions. We believe with the support of the country's leadership, the information from DoT on transportation will enable rapid progress in the research project, leading to an outcome that benefits Abu Dhabi and the UAE in general."

Established as an on-going collaboration with the 2024 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Masdar Institute integrates theory and practice to incubate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, working to develop the critical thinkers and leaders of tomorrow. With its world-class faculty and top-tier students, the Institute is committed to finding solutions to the challenges of clean energy and climate change through education and research.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Kirk Steudle nominated to receive IRF Man of the Year award
    December 3, 2018
    Kirk Steudle, former director of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDoT), has been nominated to receive the IRF Man of the Year award. Established in 1951, IRF's Man (Woman) of the Year award recognises public, private and education sector professionals with an outstanding track record of leadership and commitment to the road transport industry. Abdullah A. Al-Mogbel, chairman, IRF, says: "This accolade crowns an exceptional career and a highly respected voice on innovation in transportation, at
  • Smart city traffic systems ‘to reduce congestion by 2019’
    January 14, 2015
    A new report from Juniper Research forecasts that smart city traffic management and parking projects will reduce cumulative global emissions in the order of 164 million metric tonnes of CO2 between 2014 and 2019 - equivalent to the annual emissions produced by 35 million vehicles. Not only will this benefit the environment, but it will also significantly impact the quality of city dwellers' lives, with some 700 million automobiles projected to be on city roads by 2019. The report, Smart Cities: Strategie
  • ITS America annual meeting focuses on smart transportation
    January 25, 2012
    ITS America's next Annual Meeting, in Fort Washington in May 2012, is being planned at a turning point for US transportation and the nation's economy. We asked event organising committee chair Connie Sorrell a few pertinent questions on why attending Fort Washington will be essential for all transportation professionals
  • Expert calls for high-tech traffic control
    November 29, 2012
    A leading Chinese transportation expert has called for China to develop smart traffic technologies that are more customer-oriented, while boosting greener, safer and more efficient modern transportation in the country. "China's ITS applications should shift their focus to provide more solutions for public transportation in the next decade, and the industry should get a new stimulus by responding to the needs of the market," said Wang Xiaojing, chief engineer at the Research Institute of Highway under the Mi