The recent Smart Road Technologies seminar in Oman discussed the development of transportation systems, not just the construction of new roads or infrastructure renovation, but also the use of information technology to link elements within the road system - vehicles, roads, traffic lights, message signs, among others – using intelligent technology to enable them to communicate with each other via wireless technologies.
The seminar was held as part of the Digital Nation series of seminars organised by Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM), which endeavour to shed light on the recent and most advanced technologies in the ICT sector and the industry in general, by bringing together creative professionals, business leaders, technicians and students to discuss the emergence, challenges, opportunities and implications of the digital nation.
Speaking at the seminar, Hilal bin Hamad Al Hasani, CEO of the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE ), emphasised that smart road technologies and related applications hold great importance in the current stage as they ensure promoting traffic safety concepts and improving the operational performance of transportation lines in the Sultanate. "These technologies play a vibrant role in reducing congestion, easing traffic, providing multiple environmental benefits, and increasing overall productivity, which leads to economic and employment growth," he noted.
Other attendees included representatives of the Royal Oman Police, the Oman Road Safety Association, the UK’s Transport Research Laboratory (491 TRL), and the University of East London.
Darren Divall, principal consultant at TRL, believes that Oman's executive regulations reflect the modern safety technologies that are now entering the Sultanate's road network. "The vehicle fleet in Oman is equipped with modern safety technologies, for example seat belts and child restraint systems. Enhanced legislation is required to make the use of these devices compulsory in all seating positions. In terms of the highway, my vision would be that technology is used effectively to minimise road death and injury and efficiently manage the road network to ensure the free flow of traffic," Divall pointed out.
For the Sultanate, Divall aspires to see a road network that uses modern technologies that enable relevant stakeholders to understand traffic flow, measure speed, efficiently collect and analyse crash data and manage incidents. "The type of technologies that could enable this are already available such as CCTV, GIS tracking systems and smart mobile phone technology. All of these can enable 'real time' data exchange to monitor traffic flow and diversion routing. To improve safety on the road, technology on the road does not have to be complicated; it is how we use it that is most important. Using these types of technology facilitates the creation of a robust evidence base in which road safety stakeholders can utilise to identify, develop, implement and monitor casualty reduction interventions," he said.
He added, "I hope that the Smart Road Technologies Seminar will begin the process of raising awareness to stakeholders of the types of simple and readily available technologies that can assist in increasing safety on the road through the creation of a robust evidence base, the identification of road safety interventions and the effective management of traffic."
Commenting on smart road technologies, Solomon Alexis, principal lecturer at the University of East London said, "As with any new or introduced technology the key is adoption, maintenance and usage. Predictive technology has the ability to reduce road accidents, improve drive confidence and at the same way create a cultural change in driving habits."
"The Sultanate can take advantage of new technologies such as GPS combined with Radio Data System - Traffic Message Channel that delivers real time traffic information to navigation devices. Also, the use of composite mats which uses natural materials could be used in the construction of temporary roads especially those needed where major constructions are taking place. On the major roads use could also be made of reflective road paints which will greatly increase visibility during dark nights," he said.
The seminar was held as part of the Digital Nation series of seminars organised by Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM), which endeavour to shed light on the recent and most advanced technologies in the ICT sector and the industry in general, by bringing together creative professionals, business leaders, technicians and students to discuss the emergence, challenges, opportunities and implications of the digital nation.
Speaking at the seminar, Hilal bin Hamad Al Hasani, CEO of the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE ), emphasised that smart road technologies and related applications hold great importance in the current stage as they ensure promoting traffic safety concepts and improving the operational performance of transportation lines in the Sultanate. "These technologies play a vibrant role in reducing congestion, easing traffic, providing multiple environmental benefits, and increasing overall productivity, which leads to economic and employment growth," he noted.
Other attendees included representatives of the Royal Oman Police, the Oman Road Safety Association, the UK’s Transport Research Laboratory (
Darren Divall, principal consultant at TRL, believes that Oman's executive regulations reflect the modern safety technologies that are now entering the Sultanate's road network. "The vehicle fleet in Oman is equipped with modern safety technologies, for example seat belts and child restraint systems. Enhanced legislation is required to make the use of these devices compulsory in all seating positions. In terms of the highway, my vision would be that technology is used effectively to minimise road death and injury and efficiently manage the road network to ensure the free flow of traffic," Divall pointed out.
For the Sultanate, Divall aspires to see a road network that uses modern technologies that enable relevant stakeholders to understand traffic flow, measure speed, efficiently collect and analyse crash data and manage incidents. "The type of technologies that could enable this are already available such as CCTV, GIS tracking systems and smart mobile phone technology. All of these can enable 'real time' data exchange to monitor traffic flow and diversion routing. To improve safety on the road, technology on the road does not have to be complicated; it is how we use it that is most important. Using these types of technology facilitates the creation of a robust evidence base in which road safety stakeholders can utilise to identify, develop, implement and monitor casualty reduction interventions," he said.
He added, "I hope that the Smart Road Technologies Seminar will begin the process of raising awareness to stakeholders of the types of simple and readily available technologies that can assist in increasing safety on the road through the creation of a robust evidence base, the identification of road safety interventions and the effective management of traffic."
Commenting on smart road technologies, Solomon Alexis, principal lecturer at the University of East London said, "As with any new or introduced technology the key is adoption, maintenance and usage. Predictive technology has the ability to reduce road accidents, improve drive confidence and at the same way create a cultural change in driving habits."
"The Sultanate can take advantage of new technologies such as GPS combined with Radio Data System - Traffic Message Channel that delivers real time traffic information to navigation devices. Also, the use of composite mats which uses natural materials could be used in the construction of temporary roads especially those needed where major constructions are taking place. On the major roads use could also be made of reflective road paints which will greatly increase visibility during dark nights," he said.
