Information to be Used for Research Project on Sustainable Transportation
Abu Dhabi – UAE: 19 December, 2012 – Abu Dhabi’s Department of Transport (DoT) and Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a collaborative partnership on exchange of information in transportation.
The MoU will enable the sharing of information on Abu Dhabi’s public transport systems and basic traffic data to be used by Masdar Institute for a research project. The project will investigate the transportation infrastructure, technology needs and public attitudes in Abu Dhabi, pertinent to instituting a level of electrification in the Abu Dhabi transportation system.
The collaboration on exchange of information aims to develop a successful urban transport system in Abu Dhabi covering human resource development, integrated program management, knowledge management and intelligent transportation systems.
The MoU was signed by Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, and H.E. Mohamed Hareb Al Yousef, the Executive Director of the Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi.
H.E. Mohamed Hareb Al Yousef said: “DoT will provide Masdar Institute with the technical details including the provision of basic data on traffic in the city and the status of public transport services to facilitate the research project. Our participation will ensure that the scope of research is consistent with the objectives of the department’s strategy on intelligent transport systems (ITS).”
Dr. Sgouris Sgouridis, Associate Professor, and Dr. Amro Farid, Assistant Professor, both from the Engineering Systems and Management program, Masdar Institute, will be the principal investigators of the project. Eng. Salah Mohamed Al Marzouqi, the acting director of Integrated Intelligent Transportation Systems Division in Department of Transport will be the lead coordinator in regards to the provision of data and technical advice to the research team.
Dr Fred Moavenzadeh said: “The agreement with DoT further demonstrates our continuing commitment to bring innovations in clean energy systems. Research collaborations are the ideal way for an academic institution to solidify its role in implementing innovative solutions. We believe with the support of the country’s leadership, the information from DoT on transportation will enable rapid progress in the research project, leading to an outcome that benefits Abu Dhabi and the UAE in general.”
Serving as a key pillar of innovation and human capital, Masdar Institute remains fundamental to Masdar’s core objectives of developing Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy and finding solutions to humanity’s toughest challenges such as climate change.
Established as an on-going collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Masdar Institute integrates theory and practice to incubate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, working to develop the critical thinkers and leaders of tomorrow. With its world-class faculty and top-tier students, the Institute is committed to finding solutions to the challenges of clean energy and climate change through education and research.
