Qatar’s Prime Minister and Interior Minister HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani launched the ambitious Qatar Pedestrian Crossings Master Plan (QPCMP) yesterday.

The plan, aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety and security on the country’s roads and reduce injuries and casualties from road traffic accidents, is seen as a great step forward, reported Gulf Times.

The QPCMP includes concept designs for 50 pedestrian crossings, based on the public’s preferences. It will include 26 pedestrian overpasses, underpasses and 24 crosswalks on roads covering all key intersections and sites that are nearest to roads. Such sites are easy to access and are expected to encourage people to walk.

“The QPCMP is one of the key plans for implementing the system and components of land transport in Qatar. It’s also an important part of the Qatar National Traffic Safety Strategy action plan,” Minister of Transport and Communications HE Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti was quoted as saying by The Peninsula.

Transportation, with all its sectors and components, is the most important element for robust economic development. Economic growth cannot be achieved without an integrated, efficient transportation system, he added.

A Pedestrian Environment Review System has also been constituted to provide a systematic process for Qatar with the main objective of saving lives and properties.

Picture courtesy: The Peninsula