Qatar’s Ministry of Transport has been awarded first place in the Innovation category of the Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport (DAST) for its Qatar Activity-Based Transport Model (QABM). The accolade was presented during a ceremony held under the patronage of Dubai’s Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum.
The QABM was recognized for its role as an innovative national tool that enhances strategic transportation planning through evidence-based and data-driven decision-making. Developed to simulate daily activities and travel patterns, the model analyzes transportation demand, evaluates network performance, and forecasts the potential impacts of proposed projects and policies prior to their implementation.
Eng. Abdullah Saif al-Sulaiti, Assistant Undersecretary for Land Transport Affairs at the Ministry, highlighted the project’s significance in improving the efficiency of Qatar’s transportation system. He explained that the model supports more informed planning and investment decisions by providing a detailed understanding of travel behavior and network dynamics.
Al-Sulaiti emphasized that the award reflects the ministry’s commitment to advancing innovation in transportation, integrating systematic analysis into decision-making, and developing advanced tools that enhance the synchronization of strategic and operational planning. He noted that the initiative aligns with the objectives outlined in Qatar’s 3rd National Development Strategy, particularly its goals related to digital government leadership and government excellence.
Looking ahead, the ministry plans to expand the model’s capabilities by incorporating big data analytics, real-time data integration, artificial intelligence, and digital twin technologies. These advancements aim to continually update and refine the QABM, enabling better responsiveness to evolving transportation needs.
The model’s versatility allows stakeholders to assess a variety of scenarios and policies, including the expansion of public transit networks, parking management strategies, Park & Ride services, transportation demand management, and the alignment of land-use and transportation planning.
The Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport is a regional initiative that honors significant contributions to sustainable mobility and green infrastructure, recognizing efforts that promote environmentally friendly and efficient transportation solutions in the Gulf and broader region.