By Shams Maarefi
KUWAIT, Nov 24 (KUNA) -- Kuwait needs to overhaul public transport sector and transport planning system, expand road building and implement the underground project to put an end to the contentious and spiraling traffic problems, a UN traffic expert said.
There is an urgent need to develop the transport planning system and promote traffic awareness, the Technical Director of National Traffic and Transport Strategy for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kuwait Kim Jraiw told KUNA Monday on the sidelines of the "Execution of National Strategy for Traffic and Security Sector" Workshop.
Jraiw underlined the importance of putting into effect the recently approved national strategy for traffic and transport, particularly the items related to the establishment of 1200 km of new roads and execution of the underground project.
He called for the improvement of the public transport services and the adoption of the demand management to control congestion and other traffic problems in the future.
The three-day workshop, which kicked off Sunday, is held under auspices of Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and in cooperation with the Ministry of Planning and Development and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
The event, which coincides with the 2014 World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (WDR), aims to train traffic and transport cadres on the implementation of the national strategy for traffic to curb road accidents.
It focuses on requirements of implementing the comprehensive traffic and transport strategy in Kuwait and the impact on the national development plan, as well the economic and social cost of the traffic problem. It also tackles road safety, traffic police operations and patrols, smart transport, drivers' conduct on the road and traffic awareness. (end) sfm.tb.ibi