As part of the continuous efforts to implement the National Traffic Safety Action Plan (2018-2022), the Qatar Transportation and Traffic Safety Center (QTTSC) at Qatar University College of Engineering (QU-CENG) in collaboration with the International Road Federation hosted a training workshop on ‘Traffic Safety in Work Zones’ from 24-26 September 2019. The workshop aims to provide information on best procedures and practices in designing work zones along roads to ensure safe and efficient traffic operations.
This course discusses the requirements for planning work zone areas following the Qatar Work Zone Traffic Management Guide and other well-known international guidelines. Common safety problems and challenges in work zone areas were presented at the training with real world examples. In addition, a site visit was conducted to provide participants with real world observation on good and unfavorable practices in work zone management.
Senior engineers from the General Directorate of Traffic, Ministry of Municipality and Environment, as well as many other engineering consultation companies and contractors participated in this workshop. Eng. Miguel Santos, a senior road safety specialist in the United Nations for Project Services (UNOPS) delivered the workshop, which was co-sponsored by Khatib & Alami Engineering Consultation Company as part of their commitment to support the efforts for improving traffic safety in Qatar.
Commenting on the workshop, QTTSC Director Prof Dr. Faris Tarlochan said, “Traffic Safety in work zones is a critical issue in Qatar therefore QTTSC is working actively to contribute in improving the traffic safety status in collaboration with local authorities and international partners. This workshop is one of a number of forums that address best engineering practices in road safety, in line with the efforts by the center and the College of Engineering to raise public awareness and responsibility in road safety.”
QTTSC workshop coordinator Assistant Professor Dr. Wael Alhajyaseen said that with the vast development and upgrade of the road network in the State of Qatar, work zones become common and frequent. Work zones are crash prone areas due to the unexpected change in road layout and environment. The careful layout of these areas and the consideration of local site conditions and driver behavior is vital for the success in providing efficient and safe operations. The course offers different policies and strategies to provide safer design of work zones following current local and international guidelines not only for vehicular traffic but also for vulnerable road users.
He added, “This training course targets road agency executives, highway engineers, traffic management professionals, traffic safety professionals, vulnerable road users safety advocates, law enforcement authority, and research & academia personnel.”