When it comes to preparing for an influx of visitors, ensuring traffic stays moving while hosting one of the biggest sporting events on the globe is a tall order.
The team at ITS Qatar has been tasked with ensuring that intelligent traffic systems on the ‘FIFA Corridor’ (as it’s known colloquially) are up to the task ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2022 kicking off in Qatar in November. Given the importance of the job, they’re relying on tried and tested technology manufactured and supplied by AGD Systems to maximise the safety and efficiency of the roads during the event.
Matches will be played across eight venues, one near Al Khor in the north and the other seven in and around the capital city of Doha. It’s estimated that more than 1 million fans will attend the 28-day event, meaning traffic monitoring and movement will be crucial.
ITS Qatar’s CEO Eng. Abdelrahman Al Khateeb explains: “We wanted to use technology that had been tried and tested across the world, and partner with a company which we knew would be able to meet the specifications needed.
“Qatar has developed incredibly quickly, and many huge highways were built around five years ago – now that technology has improved, enhancements are needed to update the systems being used on these highways.
“Ian and the team at AGD have been great at not only providing the systems that we required, but also keeping us up to date at every step along the way, supporting with installation and maintenance, and providing training for our clients too.
“We are involved in two of the FIFA infrastructure projects, worth a combined total of almost £30m – these both have a tight schedule to ensure everything is ready for the games, so the first began in December 2020 and will finish by May this year, and the second began in November 2021 and will be complete in August 2022.
“It’s been a breath of fresh air to work with Ian and the AGD team, they’ve been there to assist us with everything we’ve needed and the response rate has been excellent. I would definitely recommend them and hope to work with them on future projects.”
AGD has supplied over 100 of their AGD343 Systems as part of ITS Qatar’s FIFA infrastructure projects.
The 343 Highways Monitoring Radar provides real-time, multi-lane highways data and helps agencies across the world enhance the safety, capability and efficiency of their traffic systems.
Detailed data can be captured across up to 10 lanes, including the speed, direction and type of passing vehicles. The 343 leads the way, not only compared to outdated high-maintenance loop systems, but also compared to radar systems which must be installed far from the carriageway: by comparison, the 343 can be sited just 2 metres from the nearest lane.
Manufacturing, supply, and support for the installation and maintenance are all taken care of by AGD Systems, one of the UK’s most successful manufacturers of ITS products. With more than 30 years of delivering solutions for smart cities and highways, and strategic transport initiatives around the globe, AGD has a range of product solutions which fit today’s needs and tomorrow’s challenges.
