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Abu Dhabi to have hi-tech bus shelters

Around 360 new high-tech, eco-friendly bus shelters will be installed across the emirate, costing approximately Dh100 million.

The project, which will see the air-conditioned bus shelters fitted with an intelligent transport system, will give priority to hospitals, schools, shopping centres, airports and labour accommodations, followed by residential areas, parks, hotels, clinics and main roads, as well as, industrial and isolated areas. Abu Dhabi city and its suburbs will have 160 new bus shelters, while Al Ain and the Western Region will have 120 and 80, respectively. These are expected to be positioned starting early next year and fully-installed by the first quarter of 2014.

This is the second phase of the Department of Transport’s (DoT) air-conditioned bus shelters project.

The first phase saw the delivery of 81 bus shelters in mid-2009 at the cost of Dh14million, of which 77 remain operational. According to Hashim Al Hashimi, Director of Public Transport, the new shelters have been designed in consideration of passenger comfort, safety and in keeping with the Islamic architecture of the emirate.

In line with the DoT’s Surface Transport Master Plan (STMP), the shelters have three sizes–small, medium and large.

The smallest can accommodate up to 16 people, while the medium has a capacity of 24 people and the largest, 28. In addition, there will be an external capacity area for 12 people at each shelter and all will have provisions for special needs.

The shelters will also make use of smart technology with LCD monitors, displaying real-time bus route information. “Everything’s going to be electronic.

The monitor will be linked to a satellite that tells you when the bus is arriving,” said Al Hashimi.

In addition, the shelters will be equipped with two CCTV cameras covering all angles inside and outside the waiting areas.

Each will be equipped with an energy-saving ventilation fan for the winter season. Bus ticket and vending machines will also be installed, while advertising space will be limited to only one corner of the shelter.

Speaking about the improvements, Marwan Al Marri, the Project Committee Chairman, noted the flaw with the old doors.

“The doors in the first phase were not successful because they have sensors, allowing them to open automatically.

This resulted in a lot of problems due to misuse. So to be more practical, we made use of the manual sliding door with the new ones. We will also convert the existing shelters to manual,” said Al Marri.

olivia@khaleejtimes.com