Sheikh Hamdan reviews RTA’s specialised initiatives, projects

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, reviewed several specialised initiatives and projects being implemented by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), including the rapid intervention vehicle, the smart bus station, and soft mobility parking facilities.

Sheikh Hamdan was briefed by Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, on the details of the three initiatives and their objectives in enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of the mobility system.

Sheikh Hamdan affirmed that ambitious development initiatives and pioneering projects undertaken by Dubai to enhance public wellbeing, with mass transit systems being notable, are testament to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to advance Dubai’s position among the world’s leading cities in adopting innovative solutions and future technologies.

Sheikh Hamdan said, “The variety of futuristic mass transit projects we witness today is not the outcome of infrastructure development priorities alone, but a comprehensive redefinition of the concept of urban mobility in keeping with the highest international standards, reflecting Dubai’s ambition to be the city that is quickest to anticipate the future and most capable of turning it into a tangible reality.

“We operate with a clear vision based on innovation as a core principle and advanced technologies as a key tool for transforming lives and achieving leadership. We are committed to supporting and accelerating the adoption of smart and sustainable solutions, enhancing systemic efficiency, amplifying its developmental impact, and ensuring the highest quality of life for citizens, residents, and visitors,” he added.

Sheikh Hamdan affirmed, “We are also keen to ensure that Dubai remains a leading global model in designing future cities and a pioneering platform for testing and implementing the latest technologies advancing mobility solutions.

“The initiatives implemented by the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai reflect a firm commitment to enhancing the emirate’s future readiness and solidifying its position as a global capital of innovation and a premier destination for developing and implementing advanced solutions that serve humanity and support sustainable development,” he added.

The visit to the RTA, during which Sheikh Hamdan was accompanied by Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, reflects the leadership’s keenness to follow up on the progress of government work through direct field inspections while assessing the readiness of strategic projects and the progress in their implementation against operational targets and timelines.

This supports faster project delivery, maximises the developmental impact of initiatives, and contributes to achieving the highest standards of quality of life for citizens, residents, and visitors.

Sheikh Hamdan reviewed the rapid intervention vehicle developed by RTA to enhance readiness for emergencies and heavy rainfall, while ensuring uninterrupted traffic flow.

The vehicle features advanced equipment, including four pumps with a combined capacity of approximately 60,000 litres per minute, equivalent to the operating efficiency of 10 conventional pumps or 25 water suction tankers. It can pump water at a rate of around 1,000 litres per second and operate in depths of up to 1.8 metres. The vehicle outperforms conventional equipment in deployment speed and operational readiness, enabling immediate intervention, unlike mobile pumps that require prior preparation and water suction tankers that struggle to access areas with deep water accumulation.

The vehicle is equipped with an integrated system comprising a main pump operated from within the vehicle through a hydraulic system, three pump engines, and four primary pumps, in addition to rainwater suction hoses, a hose reel trailer, a rescue boat for evacuation operations, and a thermal drone for field monitoring and on-site assessment.

WAM