DOHA May 21, 2013: The Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR), in collaboration with the Qatar Mobility Innovations Center (QMIC), celebrated the United Nation’s World Telecommunications and Information Society Day (WTISD).
“This year’s theme, ICTs: Improving Road Safety, is one that touches us all. It is also an excellent illustration of the opportunities and challenges we face as new technologies emerge. Technology can play a valuable role in making our roads safer and decreasing the environmental impact of driving. However, true road safety requires each and every one of us to make a concerted effort to be safer, more responsible drivers,” said Faleh Al Nuaimi, ictQATAR Assistant Secretary General for Shared Services.
As part of its WTISD activities, ictQATAR installed the QMIC-developed Masarak driver performance devices in 10 of its employees’ vehicles. Masarak System ranks drivers performance based on their speed, acceleration and de-acceleration levels. The goal is to highlight driver safety performance and encourage safer driving habits through the use of real-time information.
“We are pleased to partner with ictQATAR to demonstrate the value of our Masarak platform and services in supporting road safety through the use of our intelligent driver performance technology and applications,” said Dr Adnan Abu Dayya, Executive Director of QMIC.
In addition to the use of the Masarak driver performance application, ictQATAR and QMIC held an interactive workshop for their employees on ICT and road safety, titled ‘ICT: Enabling Road Safety and Intelligent Transport’. The workshop covered ways to utilize information from the Masarak platform, the planned Qatar Connected Vehicles Initiative and a review of emergency road assistance technologies.
According to the United Nations, more than 1.3 million people die in traffic accidents each year, along with upwards of 50 million injuries. Additionally, it’s estimated that traffic accidents cost $518bn each year.
Al Nuaimi encouraged everyone to stop texting and driving to help save lives in Qatar. “Businesses, researchers and your government are committed to bringing you the technologies to enhance road safety. You must also do your part to realize the full potential of these technologies and reduce traffic accidents in our country. Together, with the help of advanced ICTs, we can ensure everyone reaches their destination safely,” he said.
The purpose of the UN’s World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is to help raise awareness of the possibilities that the use of the Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICT) can bring to societies and economies, as well as of ways to bridge the digital divide. May 17 marks the anniversary of the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention and the creation of the International Telecommunication Union.
About QMIC
QMIC is an applied research and development center founded by Qatar University in Collaboration with and at the Qatar Science &Technology Park (QSTP) to leverage the use of emerging mobility and wireless technologies in creating solutions and smart applications for use in a number of markets including Transportation, Utilities, Healthcare, and Environment.
QMIC was founded with the objective of filling the existing gap in the region for institutions focusing on applied research and solutions delivery.
QMIC has strategic objectives in the areas of local capacity building, innovations leadership, and in becoming a virtual R&D center for local and regional partners.
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