Month: June 2009

DoT takes another step towards parking fines

Posted on June 22, 2009

DoT takes another step towards parking fines
Daniel Bardsley /THE NATIONAL

Last Updated: June 21. 2009 11:38PM UAE / June 21. 2009 7:38PM GMT ABU DHABI // New parking fees and fines will be “introduced and enforced” in the capital from next month, the Department of Transport said yesterday.

The department said in a press release that it planned to roll out new parking policies, which would include metered parking in the city centre.

It warned there would be “rigorous enforcement” of its new rules, although it did not go into detail about when or where meters would be switched on, or when drivers would start being charged and fined.

Both private and public parking spaces will be more tightly regulated, with the aim of encouraging drivers to stay for only a short time in busy city centre parking spots.

The first solar-powered meters were installed on Hamdan Street nearly three years ago, but they have lain unused until recently.

Last month, DoT staff began testing the devices, inserting coins and swiping credit cards.

Drivers will be able to pay for parking by text message, with a credit card or by pre-paid smart card, although the cost has not been disclosed.

The British company NCP Services, now called NSL Services Group, was hired last year to set up and manage the parking programme for the city centre and part of Airport Road.

Paid parking will be introduced in 10 stages over two-and-a-half years, with a total of 2,500 meters to be switched on.

The first year will see the recruitment and training of enforcement officers, the issuing of residents’ permits and a media campaign.

A transition period, during which offenders will be warned but not fined, is expected, but beyond this, repeat offenders risk having their vehicles clamped, towed away or impounded.

A contact centre and parking shop where drivers can buy permits and pay fines is to be opened.

Paid parking will eventually apply from the Corniche to Hazza bin Zayed Street between Khaleej al Arabi Road and the road that runs in front of Abu Dhabi Mall, as well as the strip from Hazza bin Zayed to Al Saada Street between Al Karamah Street and Fourth Street.

Mr Najeeb al Zarooni, the DoT’s parking director, said the system should not be seen as “a silver bullet” that would immediately solve the capital’s parking headaches, which partly stem from a growing number of vehicles registered.

“But we believe that positive impacts of the programme will begin to be felt by both drivers and residents before the year end,” he added.

Longer term, the DoT said yesterday it was looking for city centre sites for public car parks, either above or below ground. Temporary car parks may be erected initially.

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This entry was posted in UAE.

Bridge plan aimed at saving lives

Posted on June 22, 2009

Bridge plan aimed at saving lives
Haneen Dajani, THE NATIONAL

Last Updated: June 22. 2009 1:40PM UAE / June 22. 2009 9:40AM GMT
A labourer crosses the eight-lane Highway 11 in front of traffic near Al Raha Mall. Ryan Carter / The National
ABU DHABI // More pedestrian bridges could be added to roads both within and outside city limits to reduce the growing number of people who are struck by vehicles.

At the launch of a three-month campaign to tackle jaywalking yesterday, Col Hamad al Shamsi, director of the police’s traffic and patrols department, said the department was looking at adding pedestrian bridges in more areas, including Mussafah and Shahama.

The colonel said the bridges were expected to be built in the coming years, although he could not give an exact date. The department has also asked the municipality to place barriers on pavements where pedestrians tend to jaywalk.

The number of pedestrians hit by vehicles in Abu Dhabi grew to 663 last year, up from 583 in 2007.

Yesterday the traffic department revealed it had issued Dh802,000 (US$218,000) worth of tickets since the start of this year, with 4,010 jaywalkers fined Dh200 each. Last year the fine for jaywalking was increased from Dh50.

Col al Shamsi said the department’s studies covered areas that lacked pedestrian crossings and were considered hot spots for accidents involving pedestrians.

Meanwhile, traffic police are focusing on educating the public on the rules for crossing roads and the dangers of jaywalking by increasing campaigns to fine jaywalkers. Patrols will be carried out by both traffic control police officers and undercover traffic officers.

“We have to consider the culture and background of pedestrians and make sure we get our message across,” said Col al Shamsi. “After last year’s campaign the number of accidents involving pedestrians dropped rapidly.”

He said pedestrians involved in accidents who were found to be jaywalking were liable to be fined.

Lt Col Ahmad al Shehhi, director of capital traffic police, said patrols would focus on hot spots including Mussafah, Shahama, Al Dhafra Road, the Corniche and Al Salam Street. “It is not possible to have a policeman on every road in every corner, so we assess which areas are the most dangerous.”

In the coming three months more police patrols will be dedicated to catching jaywalkers.

“We asked the municipality to place barriers on the pavements, especially in front of shops and public parks, to prevent people from crossing in areas where they are not supposed to,” said Col al Shamsi.

Brochures outlining the rules in Arabic and English are to be handed to pedestrians and motorists. One reminds pedestrians to look for the nearest subway or bridge before crossing the road, and to wait for the green pedestrian light before crossing at traffic lights.

Another brochure explains to motorists that white stripes across the road are pedestrian crossings and that priority should be given to pedestrians to allow them to cross.

The fine for not giving priority to pedestrians to cross is Dh500 and six black points.

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This entry was posted in HSE, UAE.

IGNOU invites applications

Posted on June 22, 2009

IGNOU invites applications

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has invited applications for entrance test for its management programmes including MBA, to be held on August 16, 2009.

Graduates in any disciplines with 50 per cent marks (45% for reserved category students) are eligible to apply.

Application form and prospectus can be downloaded from the web site www.ignou.ac.in.
The duly filled in application along with a demand draft for Rs.550 drawn in favour of IGNOU payable at New Delhi should be sent to the Registrar (SED), Block–12, IGNOU, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi–110068 by registered post so as to reach the addressee on or before July 15, 2009.

This entry was posted in Education +.

Courses in Nano-biotechnology

Posted on June 22, 2009

Courses in Nano-biotechnology

The International Centre for Nano-biotechnology of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University at Rajakkamangalam, Kanyakumari District, will offer a Master of Technology (M. Tech.) and a Master of Science (M. Sc.) in Nano-biotechnology.

The eligibility for the M. Sc. course is a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology, microbiology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, plant sciences, animal sciences, chemistry, physics, medical science, agricultural science or environmental science.

The eligibility for the M. Tech. course is a B.E. or B. Tech. in biotechnology, industrial biotechnology, pharmaceutical engineering, biomedical engineering or chemical engineering. Students who have completed a PG in any life science are eligible for M. Tech.

Details at www.msuniversity.org.in .

This entry was posted in Education +.