The Qatar Pedestrian Crossings Master Plan (QPCMP), an ambitious initiative aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety and security on the country's roads and reduce injuries and casualties from road traffic accidents was launched by HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani on Tuesday.
The event was organised by the Ministry of Transport and Communications. Speaking on the occasion, HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti described “the Pedestrian Crossings Master Plan as a key component of a user-friendly and effective land transport in Qatar."
Pointing out that the QPCMP is an integral part of the Qatar National Traffic Safety Strategy action plan, he stated that Qatar has been witnessing unprecedented economic growth and significant progress in all areas under the wise vision and directives of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
Transportation constitutes the most important pillar for a robust economic development and no economic growth in a country is possible without an integrated and efficient transportation system, said HE al-Sulaiti.
The minister said the QPCMP includes concept designs for 50 pedestrian crossings, based on preferences of the public and they include 26 pedestrian overpasses, underpasses and 24 crosswalks on roads covering all key intersections and sites that are nearest to roads. Such sites are easy to access and will encourage people to walk, he said.
As part of the initiative, HE al-Sulaiti explained that a Pedestrian Crossings Manual was developed covering all types of crossings to ensure their compatibility with the country's endorsed standards and guidelines. A Pedestrian Environment Review System has also been constituted to provide a systematic process for Qatar with the main objective of saving lives and properties, he added.
The event featured a presentation on the aspects and components of the QPCMP and a video clip on pedestrian crossings design. Later, HE the Prime Minister, accompanied by HE al-Sulaiti toured an exhibition on the initiative. They were briefed by senior officials of the MoTC on the themes of pedestrian crossings on display.
Earlier at the meeting, Ministry of Transport and Communications' Land Transport Affairs assistant undersecretary Rashid Taleb al-Nabet said the QPCMP has been designed in line with the goals and objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
The QPCMP, said al-Nabet, is an integrated, comprehensive plan that takes into consideration the rights of all users of the roads, including motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists and people with disabilities. It helps save lives and protect properties through reducing road traffic fatalities, he added.
Al-Nabet said the QPCMP would contribute to safer pedestrian mobility and help to provide an environment to encourage people to walk, thus improving public health.
The official said the plan has three main pedestrian crossing themes; standard, conventional and modern, in addition to the unique themes and locations such as the Doha Grand Park and Aspire Zone where uniquely-designed pedestrian bridges will be built as notable landmarks for Doha.
