More than 200 of the world’s leading traffic and transport infrastructure suppliers will showcase their latest innovations, products and services at Gulf Traffic Exhibition and Conference that opened in Dubai today (December 9).

The event, running until December 11 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, was inaugurated Mattar Al Tayer, chairman of the board and executive director of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Richard Pavitt, exhibition director for Gulf Traffic, said: “Clearly there are huge opportunities for international suppliers of roads, rail, parking and public transport sectors to capitalise on the rapidly expanding traffic infrastructure developments across the Gulf region.

“We have seen for the last few years a constant stream of new project announcements throughout the Gulf, as governments pave the way for modernised roads and mass transit systems.  Gulf Traffic brings together key decision makers with some of the world’s most advanced and innovative transport solutions providers, ensuring that the design, build, and maintenance of the region’s road, rail, parking and public transport projects are world-class.”

Now in its tenth edition, the show returns this year with the Gulf Traffic Conference, bringing together senior-level professionals and government officials presenting the latest on road and safety management trends and global implementations of ITS.

Simon Labbett, director of the Transport and Research Laboratory (TRL) UAE, and a speaker on a panel discussion today about the current regional road safety trends and mechanisms for enabling change, said: “Anyone that is seriously involved in road safety will always ask for baseline data to be able to quantify change.”

“The depth and quality of data in the Gulf is not always available but that is starting to improve. It is evident that the headline fatal and serious injury figures have been dramatically reduced, this is a great credit to everyone involved. From an observational perspective, but not data led, it appears that drivers are more compliant with the speed limits than they have been in the past.

“Our challenge however is to sustain the gains that have been achieved. We are making progress but we need to be data focused. The theme of this year’s road safety conference at Gulf Traffic is about the need and value of data and for interventions to be data led,” he added.

Gulf Traffic is supported by Abu Dhabi Police and SAEED, focusing on the four key transport industry sectors – traffic infrastructure, parking, road safety, and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).  Organised by Informa Exhibitions, the region’s foremost transport infrastructure event is also supported by ITS Arab, with the TRL signed on as Knowledge Partner.

Rounding off the special features is the inaugural TRL Road Safety Student Award which has attracted more than 200 student nominations from across the region sharing their ideas to make roads safer for all users.  The winner will be celebrated at a prestigious gala dinner ceremony at the Gulf Traffic Awards today. – TradeArabia News Service