DOHA: A comprehensive survey to assess the need for pedestrian crossings across the country and develop their designs is under way by the Ministry of Transport and Communication, in collaboration with the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), Ministry of Municipality and Environment, Ministry of Interior and the Private Engineering Office.
Initial findings of the survey suggest a majority of the participants, 71%, are not happy about the pedestrian crossings. However, 21% of the respondents expressed positive views about walking in Qatar’s streets. A total of 650 people from 64 nationalities responded to the survey until now. The study is due to finish by the end of this year.
This was disclosed by a representative of the Ministry of Transport and Communication, who was invited to a discussions session of the Central Municipal Council (CMC) related to its proposal on establishment of several pedestrian bridges and sub-ways.
The ministry also mentioned that it has prepared 50 designs to be used as models and some designs have already been submitted to Ashghal.
The study in Arabic and English is conducted among samples picked up from several gathering points including six malls, the Museum of Islamic Arts park, Katara, and The Pearl-Qatar. The survey plans to assess the current situation, public opinion, analysis of GIS information (pedestrian evaluation review system) and review of regional and global experiences.
The Central Municipal Council (CMC) recently submitted a recommendation to the Ministry of Transport and Communication to establish several bridges and subways for pedestrians.
The civic council called on the ministry to prepare a comprehensive guide on all pedestrian passages, subways and bridges in the current roads and future projects at the national level. The designs should give priority to safety of pedestrians and take into account the needs of people with disabilities, said the CMC.
The proposal was based on a suggestion made by Sheikha bint Yusuf Al Jefairi, representative of constituency 8, who is also head of the legal committee at CMC.
Al Jufairi indicated that the areas 45, 42 , 47, 46, and 44 includes many public and services facilities like schools, markets, health institutions, business complexes and Furjan markets. As all these facilities are closer and within walking distance, safe corridors for pedestrians are required, said Al Jufairi in her suggestion to the council. During the discussion, members of the council said that due to lack of safe pedestrian crossings and delays in implementation of such projects, people face the danger of being hit by speeding cars or waste their time and effort to cross the roads using cars.
