Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has endorsed the model design of the Enterprise Command & Control Center (EC3), to be constructed by the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) at a total cost of AED335 million.

The new building is set to cater to the needs of hosting Expo 2020.

Sheikh Mohammed issued directives to speed up construction and deliver this unique structure on time so as to manage mobility and public transport systems required for the Expo 2020. He also directed to utilise the latest smart technologies and ensure that the system is flexible in order to accommodate and catch up with the rapid technological advancements.

Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA Mattar Al Tayer said, "The Centre is slated to be one of Dubai city landmarks. The EC3 has a span of 6,996 square meters, and consists of a ground floor and five stories with a total floor area of 10,900 square meters. The central control room covers an area of 430 square meters and rises 13 meters in height. The facility comprises of office spaces, auditorium, press center and four utility buildings. The EC3 will conform to the green building codes and will be qualified for the Green Buildings Certification – Gold Rating."

"The Centre will act as a unified platform linking various control centers of RTA’s operational agencies such as Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, Public Transport, Taxis, and Traffic Systems Control Centers with an integrated central control unit. Such a unit will be linked with all RTA’s agencies in the initial phase, and with all external entities associated with the business of RTA later on," added Al Tayer.

"The facility will be the first of its kind in the Middle East in controlling, coordinating and integrating various transit modes besides undertaking sound planning of various mobility challenges for RTA."

Moreover, it will assume a pioneering and outstanding role at the global level in roads and transport systems industry and promise to be a standout smart venue for simulating real-life models, supporting central decisions in respect of various transit modes, and assisting strategic planning, integrating RTA’s core systems and control centers.

The EC3 will also prop up RTA’s efforts towards transforming Dubai into the smartest city worldwide in the field of transport, easing traffic congestions, reducing transit time and cost, fending off traffic accidents, and curbing environmental pollution through adopting smart planning to address transport challenges of the Emirate.

Al Tayer went on to explain that the centre will 'improve customers’ transit experience and contribute to their happiness through offering direct feed about the mobility movement of various transit modes, integrate with the social media channels, and step up the people’s happiness indicator through the smooth use of mass transit modes. It will also enhance the communication with various control centers through emulating & anticipating the smart mobility services. It will streamline the integration of crises management operations, event planning and management as well as mobility during mega events and exhibitions hosted by the Emirate of Dubai. In this capacity, the center will play a key role in facilitating mobility from and to Expo 2020 location."

He also noted that, "EC3 is designed in accordance with the highest international standards. RTA had studied the practices of advanced countries in this regards such as the US, UK, South Korea and Singapore. The Center will assume several roles highlighted by supporting various control centers affiliated to RTA’s agencies and sectors, besides supporting crises management, events planning and management, transport management, information management, and data and strategic reports management."

Source :WAM