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From mules to swanky Metro: Dubai's transport evolution now in a museum

Dubai - The revamped transport museum of Dubai showcases antique miniatures and artifacts depicting the details of the development of transportation systems.

Before the Dubai Metro and the efficient public transport system in Dubai today, people used donkeys and camels to travel from place to place. If you're interested in the evolution of Dubai's public transportation system, visit the Roads and Transport Authority's revamped transport museum.
The new, revamped transport museum of Dubai in Umm Ramool is showcasing antique miniatures and artifacts depicting the details of the development of transportation systems in the emirate.
The facility also displays a model of the first 4WD vehicle that had arrived in the emirate in 1931.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, recently reopened the revamped museum.
It gives a futuristic perspective of transportation systems through physical models and interactive screens narrating the history and vision of transportation and the infrastructure of the emirate.
A screen running a documentary of Dubai's history visualises how people coped with economic hardships and primitive transit means.
Also, the museum displays models of the existing and future projects of the RTA, such as the Water Canal and the eye-catching design of Metro stations. It also exhibits projects planned for Dubai up to 2020, 2030 and 2050 along with illuminated plates replicating the anticipated designs of future vehicles.
Officials at the RTA revealed that the museum would act as a platform for acquainting visitors with the story of transportation challenges and difficulties encountered by the emirate.
There are corners displaying the evolution of vehicle number plates, driving licences, old marine transit modes, and the cumbersome primitive transit means marked with noticeable suffering of community members at that time.
The facility also exhibits images of the Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport (DAST) and the iconic brand of the RTA for attracting the best ideas and practices from government and private entities, as well as public-benefit entities.
The museum comprises a host of technologies, including interactive screens that take visitors on a virtual tour of Dubai road planning.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com