Dubai’s RTA and Al-Futtaim Colas
The MoU was signed between Dubai’s RTA and Al-Futtaim Colas for researching sustainable transport infrastructure. Credit: Roads and Transport Authority.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Al-Futtaim Colas to research and innovate sustainable transport infrastructure.

Under the MoU, the two parties will undertake initiatives pertaining to roads and the advanced and sustainable infrastructure of transport.

The agreement was signed by Dubai’s RTA CEO Maitha bin Adai and Al Futtaim Colas regional manager David Gangell.

Maitha said: “The signing of the MoU follows a visit to the R&D Centre of Colas in Paris, France to review the company’s pilot project for constructing the world’s first solarpowered roads.

“The visit also included reviewing the research of innovative environmental-friendly asphalt mixtures that increase roads’ lifecycle and reduce their costs.

“During the visit, several trials were made for using recycled asphalt materials in road construction in a bid to make Dubai one of the most sustainable cities worldwide by 2020.”

“The visit also included reviewing the research of innovative environmental-friendly asphalt mixtures that increase roads’ lifecycle and reduce their costs.”

Maitha further said that the RTA is committed to develop its research and innovation system for the construction of roads, along with sustainable infrastructure for transport.

Collaboration with local and global partners, expertise exchange enhancement and leveraging R&D Centre of Colas will be helpful to come up with innovative in roads construction, Maitha added.

Colas Middle East and South East Africa CEO Paul-Henri Aumont said: “Colas is engaged in innovative solar energy initiatives in collaboration with leading firms and has carried out several pilot projects in this field highlighted by the pilot solar road project in France.

“The company is firmly focused on research and innovation in developing creative solutions for roads in future.”

Colas manages its operations in 50 countries with a workforce of 55,000 employees and is a leading company in the construction and maintenance of transport infrastructure.

In November last year, Dubai’s RTA announced plans to invest AED590m ($160m) to extend its smart traffic systems.