Recently the Sultanate of Oman has re-affirmed its intention to enhance road safety and the National Committee for Road Safety has been given a task to devise a comprehensive strategy to curb road accidents. To create a platform for the authorities, government organizations and the stakeholders in road safety programs and ITS implementations, the Middle East Road Safety & ITS Summit commenced today at Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Muscat, Oman.

The summit started with opening remarks from Dr. Samir Al Adawi, Head Of Department- Behavioural Medicine at Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. The Keynote Presentation was delivered by Dr. Abdulgader Othman Amir, Vice Mayor - Strategic Planning & Chief Planner at Jeddah Municipality, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Dr. Abdulgader presented a case study on Mayasem Project - ”Shared space concept as a different approach to road and pedestrian safety, towards building complete streets”.

Succeeding Dr. Abdulgader's case study, Dr. Tom Voge, Road and Traffic Safety Expert from United Nations, UN-DESA KSA delivered the second keynote presentation on National ITS and Road Safety Programs - From Technology Transfer to Innovation. Dr. Tom focused majorly on systems, technologies, capacity building, training, planning, deployment, procurement and maintenance.

Dr. Fethi Filali from QMIC (Qatar Mobility Innovations Center) updated the attendees on emerging technologies and mobility solutions for safer and smarter roads. He explained how big data analytics could help in improving road safety. He also expressed his views on reducing driver-distraction by smartening smartphones and reducing road fatalities by deploying fast emergency solutions.

Moving forward, the summit witnessed an informative panel discussion on international cooperation on ITS for road safety on GCC level moderated by Dr. Samir and led by senior representatives from Jeddah Municipality, United Nations, UN-DESA KSA and QMIC. Post luncheon, the summit will witness another open forum discussion on road safety campaigns: challenges on board. Moderated by the chairperson for the day, the session will focus on road safety programmes: Initiatives, implementations,
outcome, how to make them more effective, and how to attract the young adult crowd.

Dr. Abdullah Ali Nasser Al-Maniri from The Research Council, Oman will also provide insights on the Road Safety Research Program at The Research Council Oman. He will expand on the mission, vision and objectives. Research activities and research collaboration and challenges to road safety research will also be elaborated during his presentation. First day will conclude with attendees participating in the networking session.

On second day of the Middle East Road Safety & ITS Summit, senior representatives from ITS Arab, Ministry of Works, Bahrain, TRL Ltd, Department of Transport, UAE and Khoula Hospital (National Trauma Center) will delve into 'Road Users-ITS technologies supporting safe driving' and 'Medical care for crash victims'. The Bahrain Case Study by Loay will elaborate on benefits and challenges of ITS solutions.

A special break out session will be held, where delegates will be split into smaller teams of around 20 individuals each to have independent discussions (on their respective tracks), brainstorm and arrive at conclusions. Zeina Nazer, ITS ARAB will be the round table leader for the first track on successful campaigns to change driver behaviour. The second track will be led by Buthaina H. Al kindi from The Research Council, Oman on successful strategies for educating children. The last and final track will be led by Phil Clarke from TRL Ltd, UK on raising public awareness and commitment to road safety.