Doha: Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has deployed its Road Management Center to support the Temporary Traffic Control Center (TTCC) in monitoring and ensuring smooth traffic flow during the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
“Advanced CCTV cameras and electronic traffic signboards have also been installed to ensure the traffic flow and guide fans to stadiums,” said Operation Leader (Manager) at Ashghal, Eng. Adullah Al Qahtani.
Speaking to Qatar Radio about readiness of Ashghal for the World Cup, Al Qahtani said Ashghal's Road Management Center will be connected to the Temporary Traffic Control Center (TTCC) to monitor the situation and respond quickly to any changes in traffic plans.
He added that Ashghal in coordination with the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) and other partners, such as Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) and Qatar Rail, has made the facility ready to welcome fans during the mega sporting event.
“Ashghal’s role in hosting the World Cup is operational, which is divided into three-phased action plans — before, during, and after the event,” said Al Qahtani.
Speaking about the action plan before the event, he said, after the announcement of the tournament dates, Ashghal set up a team to survey all the roads surrounding the World Cup stadiums.
“The move aims at checking the quality of road, signboards, safety barriers, drainage system, street lighting, traffic signals, and pedestrian crossing among others to ensure readiness for hosting the mega sporting event.”
Following the results of the survey, he said, necessary maintenance works were carried out to ensure the safety of road users.
“In coordination with the authorities concerned such as the General Directorate of Traffic at the Ministry of Interior and SC, a survey was conducted to take stock of all road closures and diversions to find alternative routes for road users — citizens and expatriates during sport events.” He said that necessary operation plans for traffic were made for the areas based on the survey. “To tackle the situation following the second phase action plan — during the tournament — electronic road signboards will be used to guide fans to the best routes to reach stadiums and parking areas,” the official said.
He said electronic traffic signboards installed at tunnels, highways and flyovers will help fans reach stadiums on time for the matches.
He said some parking areas will be besides the stadiums and others a little bit away, according to the grades of tickets the fans hold.
“The traffic situation will be monitored through control room run by Ashghal which is called Road Management Center set up at Asset Sector Building of Ashghal,” said Al Qahtani.
He said the control room will be connected to TTCC to update about any changes in traffic plans in case of any emergency the authorities concerned to respond quickly.
“Traffic signals will be controlled through advanced CCTV cameras to ensure the traffic flow during and after the event,” said Al Qahtani.
He said that dedicated teams for drainage system and roads with the participation of Qatari engineers will be deployed to supervise roads surrounding the stadiums before and during the events to provide necessary technical support if needed.
