The Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ launched today the Directional Sign Development Strategy, in the presence of H.E. Dr. Eng. Saad bin Ahmad Al-Muhannadi, President of the Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’, Brigadier General Mohammed Marafih, Director of Traffic Engineering and Safety Department at General Department of Traffic, a number of department managers, relevant head of sections in Ashghal and representatives of the consultant company.

H.E. Dr. Eng. Saad bin Ahmad Al-Muhannadi, President of ‘Ashghal’, signed the contract of the Directional Sign Development Strategy project with Mr. Garold Adams, the President of Parsons International.

On this occasion, H.E. Dr. Eng. Saad bin Ahmad Al-Muhannadi, President of Ashghal stated that signing this contract is a continuation of Ashghal’s efforts towards adapting the best practices in the field of development, implementation and management of infrastructure. Besides partnering with leading international design companies, to ensure that Qatar becomes one of the best developed country in infrastructure worldwide.

It is worth mentioning that the consultant will complete the design of Directional Sign Development Strategy by the end of 2019.

Mr. Garold Adams, President of Parsons International expressed his pleasure at signing the new contract, noting that partnership and cooperation with Ashghal is not for the first time. He also confirmed his commitment to the terms of the contract and delivery of designs on time.

The Strategy Objectives

The Directional Sign Strategy aims to provide an excellent infrastructure that will standardise the implementation of directional signs, making them easy to follow and read, and thus facilitate reaching the main destinations, facilities and landmarks of the country. It also helps to improve traffic flow and connectivity between main and local roads and enhance the safety of road users.

Ashghal is in coordination with relevant authorities in this regard, including the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Ministry of Interior, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, and Qatar Rail.

Contract Benefits

The contract includes reviewing, updating and developing of all existing directional signs, as well as providing new signs in line with design standards within the directional signs strategy. It also provides clear information to help road users to reach various destinations in the country, while reducing travel time and accidents since road users will be able to set their routes in advance, then gradually and safely adjust them as they approach the intended exit without the need to make a last-minute change exposing them and others to risk.

The signs will be implemented in accordance with international standards, with attention to the installation in appropriate and clear locations to enable the driver to read the information written on them, and make it easy to see it clearly day and night. The standardisation of the signs will add an aesthetic characteristic to the main roads in Qatar.

Characteristics of the Directional Signs

The names of areas, roads, streets, symbols and some colors are used on directional signs on main roads and expressways in the country to categorise and identify these roads, making it easy to describe how to reach the destination using only the code of the road and the number of exit.

One of the most important symbols used on the directional signs are the symbols “Q”, which are used for the identification and numbering of the expressways that cross the main areas in the country from North to South and from East to West or through them. Example of expressway symbol: “Q2” and “Q4” symbolising Al Majd Road.

The symbol “D” is also an important symbol used to identify the main roads, which cross the main areas and intersect with the expressways “Q”. Example of the Main roads symbol: “D6” which symbolises Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor.

Other symbols are also used to identify important destinations and places of interest such as the ball symbol, which symbolises the football stadiums, and the plane symbol, which symbolises Hamad International Airport.

Also in some cases, some destinations are written on the surface of the asphalt road where it is difficult to add road signs.

Some directional signs are equipped with intelligent transport systems (ITS) to illustrate some information of interest to the driver such as: lane closed, busy road – used alternative road, etc.

The project will serve all segments of society; citizens and residents, and will contribute to the promotion of tourism by introducing tourists to the locations of the most important tourist destinations in many regions of the country.