Digital Signboards and Cameras to Monitor World Cup Traffic

Qatar's Roads

In support of the Temporary Traffic Control Center (TTCC) in monitoring and ensuring smooth traffic flow during the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has deployed its Road Management Center.

“Advanced CCTV cameras and electronic traffic signboards have also been installed to ensure the traffic flow and guide fans to stadiums,” said Operation Leader (Manager) at Ashghal, Eng. Abdullah Al Qahtani.

While speaking to Qatar Radio about ashghal's preprations for the World Cup, Al Qahtani said that Ashghal's Road Management Center will be linked to the Temporary Traffic Control Center (TTCC) to monitor traffic flow and respond quickly to any changes in traffic plans.

Al Qahtani added that Ashghal in coordination with the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) and other partners, including  Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) and Qatar Rail, has the facility prepared to welcome fans during the mega sporting event. 

“Ashghal’s role in hosting the World Cup is operational, which is divided into three-phased action plans — before, during, and after the event,” said Al Qahtani.

When talking about the action plan before the event, Al Qahtani said that Ashghal set up a team to survey all the roads surrounding the World Cup stadiums after the announcement of the tournament dates, “The move aims at checking the quality of road, signboards, safety barriers, drainage system, street lighting, traffic signals, and pedestrian crossing among others to ensure readiness for hosting the mega sporting event.”

Following the results of the survey, he said, the needed maintenance works were carried out to ensure road safety users. 

“In coordination with the authorities concerned such as the General Directorate of Traffic at the Ministry of Interior and SC, a survey was conducted to take stock of all road closures and diversions to find alternative routes for road users — citizens and expatriates during sports events.” 

The General Directorate said that necessary operation plans for traffic were made for the areas based on the survey.

“To tackle the situation following the second phase action plan — during the tournament — electronic road signboards will be used to guide fans to the best routes to reach stadiums and parking areas,” the official said. 

He mentioned that traffic signboards installed at tunnels, highways, and flyovers will help fans reach stadiums on time for the matches, while parking areas will be next to the stadiums and others a little bit away, according to the ticket category the fans hold.

“The traffic situation will be monitored through control room run by Ashghal which is called Road Management Center set up at Asset Sector Building of Ashghal,” said Al Qahtani.

“Traffic signals will be controlled through advanced CCTV cameras to ensure the traffic flow during and after the event,” said Al Qahtani.

According to Al Qahtani, a dedicated teams for drainage system and roads with the participation of Qatari engineers will be deployed to supervise roads surrounding the stadiums before and during the events to provide necessary technical support if needed.