The NTA chaired an International Conference on Railway Infrastructure in the Gulf Region.  The Conference was held in Dubai on the 17 &18th January 2010 and was attended by Rail Authorities from the UAE, GCC countries, Arab Countries, Europe and America.

The Conference was chaired by the National Transport Authority (NTA).  Prior to the conference, HE Eng. Abdulla AL Katheeri, Executive Director of Land Transport Sector stated that “as we start the new year of 2010, the Conference is a welcome event to encourage exchange of views on the emerging Railway Industry in the UAE and the Region. The NTA is keen to learn lessons from International Railway Industry best practices.  The NTA is in the lead in fostering collaborative working relationships with other railway international bodies and bringing best railway ideas and expertise to our Country”.

Eng. Bassam Mansour, Railway Expert gave an overview of the Railway Industry development in the GCC countries, the potential size if the Railway Market as well as the opportunities and challenges facing the development and implementation of Railway Projects in the GCC region.

Eng. Mansour provided the conference with an update on the UAE Federal Rail Regulation and Railway National Standards development and the role of the Independent Safety Assessor (ISA) in the delivery of successful railway projects.  In accordance with Railway Industry Practice, the NTA is the Competent National Authority that has the overall responsibility for UAE Rail Regulations, National Rail Standards and Independent Safety Assessor role.

The GCC Secretariat General representatives, World Bank, and members of the Saudi Arabia Rail (SAR) company have also attended the conference and participated in the lively debate concerning the development of the GCC Railway scheme for the region. Eng. Bassam Mansour stated that “interoperability and cross-border movement between GCC Countries is considered a key success factor of the design and construction of the GCC Railway “.  The conference debated the impediments to interoperability and the need for consistency in the planning and design of the GCC Railway throughout the whole life cycle of the project.

Railway transport modelling was also discussed in the Conference and a range of modelling techniques were debated.  Eng. Bassam Mansour responded to questions on the Railway Models and stated that “there are myriad of software tools available in the marketplace, however, consistency of modelling is essential to decision support throughout the planning period.  One area that is often overlooked is the modelling of passenger movements in Railway Stations, one of the lessons learnt is that adequate sizing of the Railway Stations under various scenarios should be conducted early as this impact on Fire and Life Safety Systems in the Stations, compliance with Civil Defence Authorities, and emerging costs”