Technology to interact between vehicles on road

Wed, 22 May 2013

By A Staff Reporter -
MUSCAT — Technologies that help activate interaction between vehicles on road and road equipment which can eventually avoid errors of drivers will be the guidelines of the future with a view to reduce accidents, as is perceived from the Smart Road Technologies Seminar held yesterday at Grand Hyatt Muscat.
Held under the auspices of Salim bin Mohammed al Nuaimi, Under-Secretary for Transport at the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the chief participants stressed on the importance of having effective smart road technologies in Oman.
The seminar, organised by Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM), the technical arm of PEIE, in co-operation with Royal Oman Police (ROP) and Industrial Innovation Centre (IIC), aimed at addressing the development of data strategies and analysis to provide better intelligence for the improvement of safety for road users; innovative and effective ways to increase pedestrian safety; and advancements and challenges in the implementation of smart road systems.

“These technologies play a vibrant role in reducing congestion, easing traffic, providing multiple environmental benefits, and increasing overall productivity, which leads to economic and employment growth,” Hilal bin Hamad al Hasani, CEO, Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE) noted.
The seminar was moderated by Dr Abdullah bin Mohammed al Zakwani, Executive Director of IIC, while Captain Mohammed al Khayari of the Royal Oman Police (ROP), Dr Wahid al Kharusi, Chairperson of Oman Road Safety Association, Darren Divall, principal consultant at UK's Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), and Solomon Alexis, principal lecturer at the University of East London, spoke during the event.
“We will witness a high-tech future especially in this field. These technologies will play a significant role in reducing traffic accidents, for instance drivers can be noticed on the existence of a malfunction in the road for any reason that may cause accidents,” Captain Mohammed al Khayari of the ROP said.
“This can be done through sending a message to passing cars in a particular spot. Besides, certain technology means can adjust the speed of vehicles in a particular spot to a certain speed according to the road conditions, such as vehicle density, visibility level and weather conditions,” he added.
"Furthermore, certain technologies can activate interaction between vehicles and road equipment which can eventually avoid errors of drivers that may cause accidents, besides there are technologies which help drivers identify the passable and less crowded roads, and thus reduce the probability of accidents," Al Khayari pointed out.
Dr Wahid al Kharusi, Chairperson of Oman Road Safety Association, hopes that smart technologies can be utilised in educating and empowering the road users on the ethics of driving, and the responsibilities for the others, advocate for safety and accountability, and supporting the integrity of the safety of the vehicle, occupants and other road users through ensuring the acceptable standards.