Qatar Completes Traffic Safety Upgrades Around 674 Schools Ahead of New Academic Year

The Public Works Authority ( Ashghal) has finished installing comprehensive traffic safety outlets around 674 schools in Qatar ahead of the academic year. The enhancements are being implemented as part of the School Zone Traffic Safety Programme in operation since 2013.

The emphasis is on making schools safe for the students, parents, teachers and staff. This includes the installation of traffic calming infrastructure and pedestrian facilities, as well as identifying and marking traffic around school entrances and the streets surrounding the school.

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Qatar Strengthens School Zone Safety

Current steps being taken include 30 km/h speed limits in school safety zones. The sides of streets contoured to make sure the axis of travel is level have also been added, along with raised pedestrian crossings and speed humps.

The objective of these measures is to slow down the speed of vehicles and make safer crosses during peak school arrival and departure time. Vehicle management assist and retuned overhauls to crossings provide a total combination of both visual and physical warnings for drivers to slow down.

30 km/h Speed Limits and Traffic Calming

Ashghal is also redashing school zone roads with red and making new zebra crossings. High-Visibility Surfaces are designed to draw the attention of motorists and cyclists when they approach an area where a higher number of pedestrians will be present.

Better signage is especially critical at the height of school traffic if there are high numbers of vehicles and children walking or cycling across a street at or near the school.

Red Road Surfaces Improve Driver Awareness

Pedestrian infrastructure is being enhanced as part of the programme. The installation of widened sidewalks, protective safety railings and dedicated ramps to facilitate more convenient and comfortable access and movement around school areas.

Ramps are of particular importance for students and visitors with disabilities. These upgrades will be combined to make the roads around school facilities more inclusive.

Better Pedestrian Access for Students

Coordination between Ashghal, Ministry of Interior, and the school administration takes place as part of the school safety programme. Multiple agency approach helps to ensure uniformity of school-traffic-safety implementation.

The initiative also contributes to the overall goals of Qatar National Vision 2030, including the following: ‘People-centred, sustainable and safe infrastructure’.

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