Doha: The newly-launched Transportation Master Plan for Qatar (TMPQ) will increase public transport accessibility to education facilities and workplaces by 50%.
A document of the Ministry of Transport further reveals that there will be 81% increase in the ridership of public transport modes under expected impacts of TMPQ.
It will cause around 50% reduction in passengers’ vulnerability to traffic congestion while it will also increase truck mobility by 30%.
The Transportation Master Plan for Qatar 2050 (TMPQ) has been launched recently. The TMPQ works as a roadmap for investing in land transportation infrastructure and also identifies the frameworks and future orientations for developing the transportation networks nationwide in a way that ensures their integration with land uses, urban development, population growth and meeting the future demands for transportation.
According to document, there will be expected 28% reduction in journey time for all road-based modes while there will be 85% increase in public transport coverage outside Doha Metropolitan area.
Under TMPQ's expected impacts, it is estimated that there will be 43% reduction in annual fuel consumption while there will be 45-73% reduction in harmful emissions generated from traffic.
Reduction in traffic accidents by 7% and reduction of congested roads by 50% are also among the expected impacts of the TMPQ. There will also be 9% increase in number of trips made by bicycles.
The TMPQ developed over 60 transportation strategies to handle the current and future challenges to align with the land transport vision and according to best international practices.
Improving coordination between land use and transport planning and increasing developers’ and private sector’s contribution in implementing transportation infrastructure are part of the plan.
Also the TMPQ will optimise the highway network usage and capacity using advanced technologies and travel demand management.
For goods movement, the plan will develop efficient truck route networks as well as enforce regulations to improve their mobility and safety.
Integrating smart initiatives like the Intelligent Transport System (ITS), smart cards, intelligent sensors and equipment are part of the plan.
For public transport, the TMPQ will expand public transport network coverage throughout Qatar, improve cost recovery in public transport and also improve integration between public transport networks and systems.
The plan will also improve pedestrians’ and cyclists’ safety with pedestrian-only streets and crossings and prioritising for non-motorised mobility modes.
Under the TMPQ, a national control centre will also be established to coordinate all modes operations while private sector will be encouraged to participate and finance transport projects.