Staff Report
Published: July 04, 2009, 23:04
Dubai: Dubai Metro will be fitted with high-definition audio-visual public address systems to serve all passengers, particularly those with special needs, said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
He said there will be a tactile guidance path and safety fittings on all carriages to ensure a safe and smooth journey to all.
Al Tayer was speaking at a function where RTA was honoured by Rashid Pediatric Therapy Centre in recognition of its support of people with special needs.
He noted that an integrated set of facilities are in place to meet the needs of various types of disability. “The fittings also include audio-visual directional systems and tactile flooring to aid the visually impaired persons and guide them to platform screen doors or their dedicated places in the train,” he said.
Braille and internal pager systems will also be in use at all locations, he noted.
Al Tayer said the design of all public buses has also been customised and have low-floor entrances so that persons with special needs can embark or disembark easily with their wheel chairs. There are no steps to enter a bus, the interior has ample space for wheel chairs, pram and luggage, he pointed out.
Dubai Taxi currently provides tailor-made vehicles equipped with special lifts to carry wheel chairs and respirators. These vehicles are driven by well-trained and qualified drivers to deal with and serve special needs people. The service is available 24 hours a day, Al Tayer said.
Juma Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum, Managing Director of the Rashid Pediatric Centre, presented a memento and a certificate of appreciation to Al Tayer.
Do you know?
Dubai Metro’s elevated tracks have been built on viaducts. Viaducts are series of precast post-tensioned concrete segments supported by piers that carry the rail track.
The U-shaped section of the viaduct maintains the vertical rail alignment as low as possible to contain noise from the tracks.
www.gulfnews.com
