The total volume of GCC countries' construction projects of roads and bridges -currently existing and planned - is estimated at around $142 billion, a study by Ventures Middle East reported Saturday. The study was published before the opening of "Gulf Traffic" expo hosted by Dubai International Financial Center next month. It noted that UAE took the lead of the total GCC countries volume of infrastructure expenditure, after opening Dubai Metro Green Line. With Abu Dhabi's $25 billion ground transport project, the volume of roads and bridges projects would reach $58 billion in UAE - a 40 percent of the total size of projects in the GCC region, the study added. It further said that Saudi Arabia comes in second place, after UAE, with a volume of $48 billion, followed by Qatar with $17 billion, then Kuwait with $9,4 billion, Oman $8 billion - 5.5 percent of the regional total - with another $2 billion worth of schemes at various stages in Bahrain. The main goals of these robust infrastructure projects are to raise the level of road safety and decrease traffic congestion in the region. The Gulf Traffic conference, held once every two years, focuses on the road, parking and public transport industries in the Middle East. It brings together leading suppliers and provides them with the opportunity to meet with targeted audiences wanting to source the latest trends and technologies. Highlighted by Abu Dhabi's $25 billion Surface Transport Master Plan (STMP), the UAE's $58 billion worth of road and bridge projects represents almost 40 percent of the regional total. Underlining huge opportunities for transport sector manufacturers and suppliers within the region and worldwide, the scale of development in the Gulf is highlighted by figures collated by market research specialist Ventures Middle East ahead of the Gulf Traffic Exhibition and Conference. Taking place on Dec. 12-14 at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Gulf Traffic is firmly established as the region's premier event covering road, rail, parking and public transport. Kuwait will be one of the most active markets for road projects in the next couple of years, with projects worth nearly $9.4 billion in the pipeline, including the Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah Causeway. Increasing road safety and reducing traffic congestion are major concerns in the GCC countries, which, according to the UN, have some of the highest road traffic fatality rates in the world. These will be key issues for debate at the Gulf Traffic Conference, as regional and international experts in road traffic and transportation set out to establish the top priorities in terms of development. Richard Pavitt, Exhibition Director for Gulf Traffic, said: "In support of the UN's Decade for Action for Road Safety, the Gulf Traffic 2011 Conference provides the platform for regional and international leading experts in road traffic and transportation to collaborate with one another and establish what is already in the region, and clarify what needs to be brought in an effort to further develop and ensure road safety." The two-day conference features a line-up of 14 expert speakers, with key topics including improving road safety through the role of the police, public awareness and participation. Other major issues include developing strategies and plans for plausible alternative means of transport for residents, and exploitation of the advancements made and challenges faced in the implementation of intelligent transport systems.
