His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai has recently endorsed the model design of the Enterprise Command & Control Center (EC³), which the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) is set to construct at a cost of AED335 million to cater to the needs of hosting Expo 2020.

His Highness issued directives for the quick construction & the timely delivery of this unique structure such that it will be capable of providing integrated management of mobility & public transport systems required for the Expo 2020. His Highness also directed to utilize the latest smart technologies, and ensure that the system will be flexible to accommodate and catch up with the rapid technological advancements.

“The Center features a design rendering it one of Dubai city landmarks. The building, which is branded EC³, spans an area 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 facilities comprise office spaces, auditorium, press center and four utility buildings. The EC³ would conform to the green building codes and would be qualified for the Green Buildings Certification – Gold Rating,” said HE Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA.

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

“The Center will assume a pioneering & outstanding role at the global level in roads & transport systems industry, and promises to be a standout smart venue for simulating real-life models, supporting central decisions in respect of various transit modes, and assisting strategic planning roles as well as the integration with RTA’s core systems & control centers. It will also prop up RTA’s efforts towards transforming Dubai into the smartest city worldwide in the field of transport. The Center will also ease traffic congestions, reduce transit time & cost, fend off traffic accidents, and curb environmental pollution through adopting smart planning in addressing transport challenges of the Emirate.

“It will also 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 & management, and mobility during mega events & exhibitions hosted by the Emirate of Dubai. In this capacity, the Center will play a key role in serving the mobility from and to Expo 2020 location.”

“The Center is designed to the highest international standards ever seen in control centers. RTA had examined the practices of advanced countries in this field such as the US, UK, South Korea and Singapore. The Center would assume several roles highlighted by supporting various control centers affiliated to RTA’s agencies & sectors, besides supporting crises management, events planning & management, transport management, information management, and data & strategic reports management,” added Al Tayer.