RTA moves for differently-abled commended

Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter

The role of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has been lauded to maintaining and providing high standard services for the disabled people in terms of design of buildings, facilities and services.

Eng. Abdul Redha Abu Al Hassan, Executive Director, Rail Planning and Projects Development at RTA highlighted the RTA achievements through a presentation at the Dubai Accessible Tourism International Summit. He spoke about providing infrastructure and transportation which is friendly for the People of Determination. The Infrastructure and Transportation has been serving Dubai residents and visitors, especially People of Determination. This includes Dubai Metro, the world’s longest driverless metro network in operation since September 2009, which has 47 stations.

The most-used Metro stations have been developed to be integrated with other modes of transport to be friendly for People of Determination, he said. In August 2017, it reached its one-billion mark and, at present, it is clocking in around 600,000 rides daily.

Metro stations in Dubai are featured with: tactile floor paths to guide visually-impaired persons at the stations; CCTV for hearing-impaired persons; audio notices for visually-impaired persons; stations are provided with escalators fitted with side hand rests stretching along the rail dedicated parking for people of determination near the station’s entrances; automatic doors to ease the entry and exit process and designated space for a wheel chair in each carriage, located in close proximity to the door.

Also disabled friendly are 11 stations of Dubai Tram which runs for 14.5 kilometres along Dubai Marina to the Palm Jumeirah.

A record 1520 public buses and 17 bus stops are friendly to People to Determination. Also included are 49 Marine Stations and 48 ferries and boats and 11 buildings and facilities. All the roads, parking and footpath are friendly to People of Determination. The RTA has been providing services for People of Determination in compliance with the international codes and best practices.  It has trained employees to deal with People with Disabilities, well-versed with the sign language.

The RTA has been offering integrated services tailored for People of Determination at all facilities and stations. Dubai Taxi operates cabs to meet the needs of the People of Determination 24 hours a day covering all areas of the emirate and driven by well-trained drivers. These vehicles are fitted with special lifts for the wheelchairs, artificial respiratory systems, a wheelchair on board and seats for the companions.