About Department of Transport
Objectives
Whether a new factory needs to move its global products to
market, a professional worker wants to get to work on time,
or a tourist seeks fresh air at a pristine beach, an efficient
and well-planned transport system is the critical factor to
meeting these diverse needs.
The enormous growth and diversification that His Highness
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United
Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, envisions for Abu
Dhabi requires a highly sophisticated transport network
that will move people and materials efficiently through the
Emirate, in a way that contributes to the quality of life for
all residents, businesses and visitors.
Transport policy: addressing roads, rail, ports, mass
transportation, air travel and other infrastructure: is based
on the following objectives:
1. Creating and delivering a world-class transport system
that supports Abu Dhabi's broader social and economic
ambitions, and meets the Emirate's needs for the future.
2. Developing a clear and appropriate allocation of
responsibilities between the various public and private
entities in Abu Dhabi involved in the delivery, supervision
and management of transport services.
3. Delivering cross-portfolio visibility and effective
information sharing between the public and private
sectors to ensure transport decisions can support and
influence real estate and industrial development in
other areas.
4. Creating an appropriate structure for the Department
of Transport to efficiently and effectively deliver the
Emirate's transport vision.
Previously, Abu Dhabi's transport responsibilities were
handled by a variety of entities, across both the local and
Federal Government, including:The General Civil Aviation
Authority(GCAA), Department of Civil Aviation, Department
of Municipal Affairs and the Sea Ports Authority(SPA)
A newly created Department of Transport will cover the
entire value chain and ensure fully coordinated planning in
all aspects of transport policy and development.
Contribution to Abu Dhabi Vision
A sophisticated and well-planned transport system is critical
to the ongoing growth and diversification of the Abu Dhabi
economy.The Executive Council has charged the Department
of Transport to meet its objectives in ways that are
consistent with its stated pillars, emphasizing privatization
and cost efficiency, world-class standards, employing more
Emiratis, and enhancing accountability in a transparent
regulatory environment.
Decisions and long-term transport plans are being driven
by a variety of opportunities, trends and challenges across
a range of portfolios:
1. Abu Dhabi has ambitious plans to diversify its economy
and attract three million tourist visitors per year by 2015.
2. Significant industrial infrastructure including ports and
industrial zones are planned and under development
in Abu Dhabi. Transport planning must respond and
coordinate with these developments to ensure strategic
infrastructure can be fully leveraged and internationally
competitive.
3. Long-term planning in transport will conserve and
improve the lifestyle of Abu Dhabi's people as the
population grows.Safe and efficient roads and viable
public transport are critical to achieving this.
4. Environmental considerations are central to transport
planning in Abu Dhabi, which includes protecting the
natural assets of the Emirate, minimizing emissions and
exploring alternative energy options.
5. Strides in regional integration among GCC member
states will place demands on transportation
infrastructure, while also creating opportunities for states with advanced infrastructure to strengthen their position
as regional hubs for the fabrication and distribution of
goods throughout the Gulf region.
In response to the vision and drivers outlined above,
transport policy in Abu Dhabi consists of the following
components:
Streamline the Department of Transport
As it merges multiple authorities, the Department of
Transport is undergoing a significant change process, to
ensure its structures and functions are fully equipped to
provide the efficient and effective administration required
to achieve Abu Dhabi's goals.
The Department of Transport represents the first example
of the modernized approach to public sector management
that will be introduced across all portfolios over time.The
new approach seeks to deliver public sector processes more
efficiently and provide greater transparency and accountability
for local and international stakeholders. In this way, the
evolved structure of the Department of Transport is a useful
demonstration of what is to come in a range of areas.
The new structure for the Department of Transport is based
on five key policy divisions.These divisions will have
responsibility for policy and strategic planning , regulation
and relevant programs in the following areas:
- Aviation
- Maritime
- Public Transport
- Roads Safety
- Highways Management
The five divisions report to the Chairman of the Department
of Transport. Supported by an Undersecretary, the Chairman
oversees the regulation and supervision of transport
conducted by these divisions.
To assist the Chairman in the areas of oversight and
accountability two departmental functions have been created:
- An integrated planning and performance
management function.
- An internal audit capability.
Integrate Planning and Performance Management
Through its integrated planning function, the Department
of Transport will:
- Consolidate and integrate overall transport policy,
strategic plans, and targets(based on input from
applicable Divisions).
- Develop Department of Transport annual plans.
- Coordinate strategic planning activities with the
General Secretariat of the Executive Council.
- Provide divisions with policy development and
planning guidelines and support.
- Conduct transport research, statistics and analysis.
Through its performance management framework, the
Department of Transport will:
- Conduct overall transport performance analysis.
- Lead data collection and monitoring of key performance
indicators(KPIs)from all divisions.
- lead definition and development of KPIs and charters.
- Develop annual reports.
- Support divisions in target setting for all sector's plans.
- Coordinate performance management activities with
General Secretariat.
Create the Internal Audit Capacity
Through its internal audit capability, the Department of
Transport will:
- Review internal processes and ensure compliance
with laws and regulations.
- Control budget utilization from legal and financial
points of view.
- Submit recommendations for modification of policies
and procedures.
- Coordinate the activities of External Auditors.
- Facilitate Risk Assessment activities across the
Department.
- Review financial, administrative and operational effectiveness of the Department.
Expand Etihad Airlines and the Abu Dhabi
International Airport
A centerpiece of the transport policy, Etihad Airlines was
launched in 2003 to play a key role in the Emirate's broader
ambitions in tourism and business. The airline already flies
to four continents directly from Abu Dhabi and estimates
it will reach 70 destinations by 20 million by 2018.
The successful expansion of Etihad's capacity will be critical
to achieving the Government's tourism objectives and the
development of Abu Dhabi as an accessible, international
destination.
In 2006 the Government Created Abu Dhabi Airports
Company, with responsibility for all airports within the Emirate and expanding aviation infrastructure to
support Abu Dhabi's economic development. The company is
overseeing significant research into local aviation infrastructure
needs and developing and implementing short, medium
and long term plans for necessary development.
In May 2005 plans were announced for a new international
airport in Abu Dhabi.The approximately $7bn airport
expansion program will provide capacity for 20m
passengers per year in its first phase, which is due to be
completed between 2010 and 2012.When the total
project is completed, the airport will have capacity for 50m
passengers per year. In addition, the new airport is expected
to service up to 2m tones of freight and cargo each year.
A new 4,100 meter runway will be completed by the
end of 2007.
The new Abu Dhabi International Airport must be
conveniently linked to the city and emerging tourist areas
and a range of proposals are being considered to provide
those links.
Create World-Class, Fully Integrated Sea Ports
In 2005 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed
between Abu Dhabi Seaports Authority( ADSA) and Dubai
ports World( DP World )to establish a strategy for the
development and management of the Mina Zayed Part.
Later that year, the two parties signed a Management
Services Agreement.
In March 2006 the Abu Dhabi Ports Company was
established by Law No. (6) to develop, own and manage all
ports in the Emirate. Also in 2006, Abu Dhabi Terminals, a
new port operating company, was created to operate Mina
Zayed and coordinate the Management Services Agreement
with DP World.
A decision has also been made to transfer all of Mina
Zayed's port activities to a new facility---the Khalifa Port
and Industrial Zone---strategically located at Al Taweelah.
The deep-water port will provide 33m tones of dedicated
bulk and general cargo capacity in the first phase.By the
completion of phase two, the port will have a capacity
of 80m tones and handle all of Mina Zayed's current
operations.
The new port will be complemented by a 100 square
kilometer industrial zone. The zone will cater for base
metals, heavy industry, chemicals, trade/logistics, building
materials, medium and light industry. The industrial zone
also will house a new aluminum smelter with a capacity of
1.2m tones per year. In this way, the Khalifa Port and
Industrial Zone demonstrates the strategic coordination
of transport and industrial facilities in the one world-class
location. In its strategic design and implementation, it is
an approach that transport and infrastructure planners will
seek to replicate.
Include Public Transport
Mass transport options such as rail and a broader public
transport plan will be developed as soon as a clear master
plan is developed for the city and the broader Emirate of
Abu Dhabi. Transport decisions will be integrated in
these broader planning exercises to ensure services and
infrastructure are coordinated and strategically tailored to
the current and future needs of the Emirate.
Improve Taxis and Buses
The Department of Transport is currently implementing a
strategy to improve the overall quality of the Abu Dhabi taxi
fleet to ensure residents and visitors can expect a particular
level of service. The impacts of this strategy on demand for
less expensive transport options such as buses will also be
considered to ensure any changes in consumption patterns
can be planned for and managed.
Law No.( 19) for 2006 was passed on 19th of September
2006. It states that taxi services in the Emirate of Abu
Dhabi will be managed, regulated and monitored by
the Centre for Regulation of Transport by Hire Cars, an
independent body that reports directly to the Chairman of
the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport.
The Centre is overseeing the transition to a new taxi scheme
based on the franchising of taxi service provision to a
number of locally qualified companies.This new system
will replace the current practice of individuals owning and
operating taxis. Currently around 7000 Emirati National
taxi owners employ expatriate drivers to operate on their
behalf on a commission salary basis.
A process is currently with the aim of selecting
seven franchisees that will manage and operate 1200
taxis each. The selected franchisees are expected to be
operational before the end of 2007.
The National Bank of Abu Dhabi has been appointed to
manage, invest and administer what is called the taxi
owners compensation fund.The fund will collect a monthly
levy from operators to distribute among original, individual
taxi owners.
A third party certification agent will be appointed in the
second quarter of 2007 to conduct driver testing and a
training program for taxi drivers.
Successful implementation of the Abu Dhabi transport
strategy will rely on effective coordination between the
Department of Transport and a diverse collection of public
and private entities.
Examples of separate coordinating efforts are listed below.
In addition, the Department of Transport could create
special form or conferences that include real estate, property,
tourism and industrial developers, to communicate the
Emirate's development plans and seek feedback. This
will help ensure that new processes are fully understood,
evaluated and integrated into long-term transport planning
decisions. Other utility providers such as ADWEA, educational
institutions and the Abu Dhabi Police will also be involved in
this coordinated planning exercise.
Town planners: Transport links sites and locations and is not
an end in itself. As such, the Department of Transport must
work closely with those developing master plans throughout
the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to ensure transport planning
decisions are coordinated.
Private property developers: The Department of Transport
must have open channels of communication with private
property developers in the Emirate to ensure that population
projections are accurate, plans are sustainable, and transport
infrastructure can be developed appropriately. The long- term
impacts of poor planning and communication could be
significant.
Industrial infrastructure planners: Similarly, the Department
of Transport must have open channels of communication
and coordinate its plans with public and private planners
and developers of significant industrial infrastructure, such
as Zones Corp. These industrial centers will rely on effective
and efficient transport to handle expected demand and
transport decisions must be based on accurate data and
estimated demand.
Department of Economy and Planning and the
Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development:
Input from these bodies will maximize the ability of the
Department of Transport to indentify infrastructure projects
that will enhance Abu Dhabi's attractiveness as a
destination for local and Foreign Direct Investment.
Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA)and private
tourism entities: Development strategies for the tourist
sector---including projected numbers, the location of
attractions and plans to develop property in Abu
Dhabi---must be shared with key decision-makers in the
transport sector, to ensure proper planning for future needs.
For example, key components of the ADTA strategy include
improving bus networks to reach tourist destinations more
regularly, and new regulations to raise overall standards
in the taxi sector. Private accommodation developers must
also share their plans with the Department of Transport to
ensure decisions are based on accurate projections of the
size, nature and location of transport demand.
Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage: This
new authority will be upgrading existing and developing
new cultural attractions, such as historical sites and
museums. These are likely to be significant tourist attractions
and the Department of Transport will work closely with the
Authority to ensure it is aware of their location and expected
demand to ensure appropriate infrastructure is in place to
make them easily accessible for visitors and residents.
The Department of Municipal Affairs: The Department
maintains control over some transport decisions, especially
roads. The allocation of responsibilities between the
Department of Municipal Affairs and the Department of
Transport must be clearly understood and decisions by each
should be coordinated. This will minimize duplication and
avoid gaps in the delivery of transport infrastructure and
services across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Education: As stated, plans to establish educational
institutions such as schools, universities and Higher Colleges
of Technology must be based on accurate demographic
projections and also shared with transport decision-makers
to ensure students can conveniently travel to and from
these locations.
About DoT
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