Abu Dhabi’s Department of Transport (DOT) is planning to award the consultancy contract for the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) package by the beginning of October.

The consultant will carry out the design of the ITS scheme in a process that could take up to nine months to finish. The transport department will then invite firms to bid for the construction contract in 2011 (MEED 11:7:10).

The ITS projects are aimed at improving the safety, operation and maintenance of the surface transport systems in Abu Dhabi, such as roads, metro, tram, maritime and aviation.

The transport department plans to execute the projects in phases within a five-year timeframe.

The first phase includes the establishment of a multi-modal transportation management centre, deployment of roadside ITS subsystems, such as closed-circuit televeision (CCTV), variable message signs and highways advisory radio. The first phase also includes developing parking areas in the city and water transport, such as ferries and water taxis.

Phases 2 to 5 cover expansion of the roadside ITS devices, expansion of the ITS communication backbone and the integration of the deployed systems.

In a separate deal, consultants were also asked to submit bids by 23 August to develop a freight masterplan for Abu Dhabi.

The project aims to link together all modes of freight transport in Abu Dhabi. These include the Khalifa Port & Industrial Zone (KPIZ), highway upgrades, Abu Dhabi International Airport and the first phase of the Union Railway.

The DOT expects to award the contract for this project by March 2011.