‘Smart’ training centre for cabbies opened in Dubai

The centre focuses on training drivers with a view to nurturing their driving skills and accordingly achieve the objective of accidents-free mobility.

Mattar Al Tayer attending a training session. — Supplied photo

A centre to train taxi drivers of franchise companies and drivers of on-demand taxis (luxury/Limo taxi service) has been opened at Rawiyya by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of RTA, recently opened the centre which is supervised by Drivers Affairs Department, RTA Public Transport Agency (PTA).

The centre is fitted with smart screens, audio-visual technologies, simulators for measuring and assessing actual driver’s performance, and a smart map base to enhance drivers’ literacy about tourist destinations and residential communities.

The centre also has dedicated halls for training drivers on security and safety, first aid, and fire-fighting equipment of world-class standards in collaboration with competent bodies. The centre has a social clinic to uplift human potential where all drivers are subject to a medical and psychological assessment before obtaining a permit to practice their profession.

Al Tayer took a tour of the centre during which he was briefed by Dr Yousef Al Ali, CEO of RTA Public Transport Agency, and Mohammed Masoud Al Janahi, Director of Drivers Affairs in the Agency, about the different sections, logistics and training programmes at the centre which adopts advanced technologies in providing a smart training environment.

Al Ali said: “The centre focuses on training drivers with a view to nurturing their driving skills and accordingly achieve the objective of accidents-free mobility.

“The PTA has reviewed the best global practices using the latest training technologies that assist the interaction between the trainee and instructor, broaden the scope of trainees understanding, and contribute to streamlining the business of instructors while addressing the requisites of the smart government drive. All training halls and facilities have been fitted with smart touch-screens and e-display monitors characterised by high-definition educative material and visual display, Internet use and a direct interaction with the educational material,” added Al Ali.

The centre is equipped with practical labs considered the first of its kind in the region, comprising interactive e-maps linked with the GPS using touch technology displaying the route layout as well as the nearest and shortest alternatives to the location. The centre also has a simulator to help the driver learn the basics of driving skills under various conditions and situations to which the driver might be liable on road. The driver will be assessed automatically based on the driving results generated.— news@khaleejtimes.com