ABU DHABI // A management system is planned for the capital's traffic that includes road signs and multimedia broadcasts with constantly updated information to alert drivers to traffic jams, accidents and the best alternative routes to their destinations.
The Department of Transport (DoT) says the integrated Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) involves a five-year project plan to provide an advanced network of communication and information technology to drivers.
The net result of this information flow to motorists will be smoother and safer roads with less congestion, while the problems of insufficient transport infrastructure, increasing emissions and more cars on the road should be minimised.
A detailed design for the project should be presented in the first quarter of next year, officials said.
The ITS will initially focus on managing traffic and incidents along limited-access highways in the metropolitan area.
Congestion and incident information will be relayed via bilingual, automated voice broadcasts on a highway advisory radio station.
Dynamic messaging signs will also be installed before en-route decision points - particularly at bridges and freeway interchanges - to give drivers the latest information on the best routes to take, and ones to avoid.
Web and mobile phone information services will also allow drivers easy access to information.
Khalid Mohammed Hashim, the executive director of land transport at the DoT, explained that the goal was to create a world-class transportation system in the emirate.
"Traditionally, this has typically meant building new highways and infrastructure," he said.
"However, it has become clear that the future of transportation is increasingly dependent on ITS."
Officials said the new network technology would help reduce travel time - real-time information where travellers can plan their trip accordingly will mean less traffic bottlenecks and less waiting.
"For example, a person will receive the approximate travel time from point A to point B via various modes, like buses or personal vehicles," said Bader al Qamzi, the director of integrated planning at the DoT.
"Multiple travel times, using different routes for the same destinations, will also be posted on the dynamic message signs. Then, drivers will choose the best [route] to take."
Mr al Qamzi said that by being prepared for heavy congestion, and aware of accidents, motorists could use caution and reduce their speed accordingly, resulting in less primary and secondary accidents.
Through the quicker detection, verification and clearing of incidents, Mr al Qamzi said, travel time would be reduced, which would also ultimately help reduce greenhouse emissions.
However, the ITS projects would take time to implement, Mr Hashim said, and therefore a number of quick-deployment solutions were in progress.
These "quick-win" projects, which will be completed before the third quarter of next year, include portable variable message signs - which alert drivers to real-time congestion - incident detection stations, non-citation traffic cameras and a Web-based traffic congestion platform.
The ITS network would be monitored and operated from the Abu Dhabi Transportation Management Centre, which would work around the clock, and provide consolidated and integrated operations facilities, officials said.
The centre will be responsible for the integration of regional and urban traffic management, public transport management and operations, and co-ordinated incident and emergency management.
Future ITS strategy plans for the emirate including providing weather and speed advisory information on rural routes, parking information for central business districts and information systems for future public transport projects.
mismail@thenational.ae
What to expect...
In the long term:
• A Highway Advisory Radio system will broadcast voice messages through an AM or FM frequency to alert motorists of road conditions. This will work in conjunction with static signs placed on the road with flashing beacon lights, and will mainly be used during poor weather when signs are not visible.
• En-route car navigation system feeds newer car models with road information either by displaying incident information on their built-in navigation systems or by overriding their stereo system to alert them of any accidents or adverse weather conditions ahead.
In the short term:
• Incident detection stations consisting of devices placed on roadsides to detect any disturbances to traffic flow.
• Non-citation traffic cameras will monitor traffic flow and help verify traffic incidents.
• The Geographic Information System is a Web-based map showing the road network of a certain area. The system will indicate the level of traffic flow using red for heavy traffic, yellow for moderate and green for free-flowing.
Source: Bader al Qamzi, the director of integrated planning at the Department of Transport
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Key changes
Commission caps
For life insurance products with a savings component, Peter Hodgins of Clyde & Co said different caps apply to the saving and protection elements:
• For the saving component, a cap of 4.5 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 90 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• On the protection component, there is a cap of 10 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 160 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• Indemnity commission, the amount of commission that can be advanced to a product salesperson, can be 50 per cent of the annualised premium for the first year or 50 per cent of the total commissions on the policy calculated.
• The remaining commission after deduction of the indemnity commission is paid equally over the premium payment term.
• For pure protection products, which only offer a life insurance component, the maximum commission will be 10 per cent of the annualised premium multiplied by the length of the policy in years.
Disclosure
Customers must now be provided with a full illustration of the product they are buying to ensure they understand the potential returns on savings products as well as the effects of any charges. There is also a “free-look” period of 30 days, where insurers must provide a full refund if the buyer wishes to cancel the policy.
“The illustration should provide for at least two scenarios to illustrate the performance of the product,” said Mr Hodgins. “All illustrations are required to be signed by the customer.”
Another illustration must outline surrender charges to ensure they understand the costs of exiting a fixed-term product early.
Illustrations must also be kept updatedand insurers must provide information on the top five investment funds available annually, including at least five years' performance data.
“This may be segregated based on the risk appetite of the customer (in which case, the top five funds for each segment must be provided),” said Mr Hodgins.
Product providers must also disclose the ratio of protection benefit to savings benefits. If a protection benefit ratio is less than 10 per cent "the product must carry a warning stating that it has limited or no protection benefit" Mr Hodgins added.
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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Small Victories: The True Story of Faith No More by Adrian Harte
Jawbone Press
THE SPECS
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Everton 2 Huddersfield Town 0
Everton: Sigurdsson (47'), Calvert-Lewin (73')
Man of the Match: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton)
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Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
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Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
Dubai World Cup Carnival card:
6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) | US$175,000 | 2,410 metres
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (Dirt) | $100,000 | 1,400m
7.40pm: Handicap (T) | $145,000 | 1,000m
8.15pm: Dubawi Stakes Group 3 (D) | $200,000 | 1,200m
8.50pm: Singspiel Stakes Group 3 (T) | $200,000 | 1,800m
9.25pm: Handicap (T) | $175,000 | 1,400m
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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5.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup Conditions (PA); Dh 200,000 (T) 1,600m
6pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Cup Listed (TB); Dh 380,000 (T) 1,600m
6.30pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Group 3 (PA); Dh 500,000 (T) 1,600m
7pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Jewel Crown Group 1 (PA); Dh 5,000,000 (T) 2,200m
7.30pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival Handicap (PA); Dh 150,000 (T) 1,400m
8pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 100,000 (T); 1,400m
Score
Third Test, Day 2
New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)
Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
