Qatar has come up with yet another ambitious master plan, this time to increase the safety of pedestrians and create a world-class safe pedestrian environment. The Qatar Pedestrian Crossings Master Plan was launched by Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani. The rights of all users of the road, including motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, people with special needs and the elderly, among others, have been taken into consideration while launching the comprehensive master plan.
Transportation is a key element for robust economic development and this cannot be achieved without an integrated and efficient transportation system. Minister of Transport and Communications H E Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, addressing the launch event, said: “The QPCMP is one of the key plans for implementing the system and components of land transport in Qatar. It is also an important part of the Qatar National Traffic Safety Strategy action plan. The State of Qatar’s been witnessing an unprecedented economic growth and significant progress in all fields along the lines of the wise vision of Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.”
H E Al Sulaiti explained that road networks is one of the factors of the infrastructure of the transport system which is linked to urban expansion and its development. This encouraged the Ministry to update its QPCMP. The master plan is aimed at providing safer pedestrian mobility and at the same time encourage people to walk in a safe environment, thus improving public health. The plan includes 50 pedestrian crossings comprising 26 pedestrian overpasses and underpasses and 24 crosswalks on roads. The plan would make the transport sector a main pillar that supports the path to economic, trade and industrial development, in order to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030 goals.
Assistant Undersecretary of Land Transport Affairs at MoTC, Rashid Taleb Al Nabet, said the master plan will help save lives and protect properties by reducing road traffic fatalities. He pointed out that QPCMP has three main pedestrian crossing themes — standard, conventional and modern, in addition to the unique themes and the unique locations such as Doha Grand Park and Aspire Zone where uniquely-designed pedestrian bridges will be constructed to become landmarks for the capital city of Doha. Ashghal President Dr. Eng. Saad bin Ahmed Al Muhannadi said that QPCMP is based on several axes, most notable are improving and developing the existing pedestrian and bicycle paths to be compatible with the plan.
Qatar has made great strides in all fields. The transport sector is the pillar of the country’s growth and so is the safety of pedestrians from all walks of life.
