The Minister of Transport, H.E. Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, has unveiled the Autonomous Vehicles Strategy at the “Sustainable Transportation and Legacy for Generations” Conference and Exhibition in Doha, Qatar. The strategy, set to span the next five years, aims to establish regulations for the use of autonomous vehicles in the country.
Under the guidance of Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the two-day event at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center was attended by high-ranking officials, including the Minister of Interior and Commander of Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) H.E. Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and the Governor of Qatar Central Bank H.E. Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud Al Thani.
Qatar’s push towards sustainability is evident through its National Environment and Climate Change Strategy and the pillars of QNV2030. The Minister of Transport highlighted the progress made in the adoption of electric buses, with nearly 70% of the public bus system running on electricity by Q3 of 2023. The goal is to transition the entire fleet to electricity by 2030.
Efforts are also underway to establish standards and specifications for electric vehicles (EVs) and to create a center for inspecting and verifying EV compliance. The Minister emphasized the development of infrastructure and support services in alignment with the directives of H.H. the Amir, resulting in a cohesive and sustainable transit system.
On the maritime front, the expansion of Al Ruwais Port is essential for enhancing regional trade exchange and accommodating growing ship traffic. Qatar’s maritime transportation sector continues to invest overseas through QTerminals, expanding its presence in world ports.
In the aviation sector, Qatar has recorded over 26,500 aircraft movements between Hamad International Airport and Doha International Airport during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The implementation of radar systems has facilitated Qatar’s management of its Doha Flight Information Region.
The Conference featured panel discussions on various topics, including electric and sustainable transportation, multimodal public transportation, and private sector involvement in developing the transportation system.
Qatar’s launch of the Autonomous Vehicles Strategy signifies its commitment to sustainable and smart transit systems, as well as its focus on environmentally conscious solutions.
Sources:
– Autonomous Vehicles Strategy Launch, Dar Al Sharq Press
– Sustainable Transportation and Legacy for Generations Conference and Exhibition, Dar Al Sharq Press