More than 200 exhibitors target US$109 billion regional roads and bridges sector; two-day conference spotlights road safety and intelligent transport systems

Dubai, UAE, 9 December 2013: His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has officially opened the Gulf Traffic Exhibition and Conference today.

Taking place until 11 December at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, the three-day event opens as the Gulf region forges ahead with ongoing roads and bridges projects currently valued at US$109 billion.

More than 200 of the world's leading traffic and transport infrastructure suppliers will be looking to capitalise on the huge opportunities in the region, showcasing their latest innovations, solutions, products and services over the next three days at Gulf Traffic.

They will be further buoyed by Dubai's recent successful Expo 2020 bid, with the Emirate ramping up its efforts to improve roads and rail infrastructure needed to facilitate the influx of 25 million visitors expected during the global showpiece event.

The RTA has already announced it will fast-track a US$1.36 billion expansion of the Dubai Metro's Red Line to connect to the Expo venue, Dubai World Central, while plans are underway to construct an underground railway to connect different country pavilions.

This comes after the authority awarded last month a AED500 million contract for the first of three phases of a bridges and roads network for the US$2 billion Dubai Water Canal Project.

Among the headline international exhibitors at Gulf Traffic looking to tap into the booming regional transport sector include Adolf Nissen Elektrobau, Siemens, Jenoptik, Kapsch, Swarco and Sensys, while local powerhouses out in force include Al Jaber Signs, Energy International Corporation and Polycon Gulf.

Richard Pavitt, Exhibition Director for Gulf Traffic, commented: "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."

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 tonight (9th December).

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For more information, please contact:
Gareth Wright
Total Communications
Tel: + 971 50 273 3832
Email: gareth@totalcompr.ae

© Press Release 2013