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Masarak, a 100% made-in-Qatar comprehensive open intelligent platform and an integrated suite of applications and services that could usher in radical improvements in the transport sector, was formally launched yesterday.
Intelligent transport, logistics management and road safety are the inter-related segments targeted by Masarak, which collects real-time data to produce useful traffic and congestion information.
Masarak has been conceived, designed, developed, deployed and optimised by Qatar Mobility Innovations Centre (QMIC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning (MMUP).
QMIC, an applied research and development centre founded by Qatar University (QU) in collaboration with and at Qatar Science & Technology Park, leverages the use of emerging mobility and wireless technologies to create solutions and smart applications for use in a number of markets including transportation, utilities, healthcare and environment.
Municipality and Urban Planning Minister HE Sheikh Abdurrahman bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani expressed his optimism that Masarak would play a significant role in supporting Qatar’s strategic plans in Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), road safety and in preparing for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
QU president Prof Sheikha Abdullah al-Misnad recalled that QMIC was planned as a unique centre that could make a significant contribution to the country in terms of impact and quality.
QMIC chairman Abdulla al-Talib stressed that the key strategic objective was to translate innovations into knowledge-based ventures which directly supported the nation’s vision as envisaged by Qatar National Vision 2030 and Qatar National Development Strategy 2011-2016.
“The launch of Masarak is an important milestone towards creating a significant knowledge enterprise that will focus on delivering new applications and services utilising the intelligent platform,” he explained.
QMIC executive director Dr Adnan Abu-Dayya stated that Masarak directly supported the realisation of National ITS plan, road safety strategy and research strategy.
“Now we have national leadership in the field and the plan is to enhance and expand the system and applications during 2013-2014 and work towards creating a regional and global impact from 2014 onwards,” he said.
Masarak has to its credit seven platform and web applications (2,600,000 lines of code), six mobile applications (230,000 lines of code), 2mn data records collected daily (expected to reach 10mn by end of 2013), and customised layers of Geographical Information System data covering 40,000 segments (7,000km) whereas the team members have grown from just five in 2010 to more than 40 in 2013.
Using the latest principles in engineering design, software architecture, and big data mining and analysis, Masarak relies on collecting real-time data from various sources like floating car data (GPS devices), road sensors, smartphones and other sources.
The raw data is then passed through QMIC’s proprietary Labeeb platform to produce useful real-time traffic and congestion information used by the many applications and services QMIC built as part of Masarak to deliver to its customers and partners. These services will be available via multiple channels including mobile apps, web apps, SMS and voice.
In support of ITS, Masarak provides Qatar’s first and only comprehensive traveller information system, which consists of an intelligent traffic monitoring platform and a suite of traffic and navigation applications that can be accessed by consumers, government agencies and enterprises.
Masarak provides a comprehensive set of tools for traffic studies, road network planning and a new family of locally-made intelligent road sensors. Aimed at the emerging logistics management market, the intelligent fleet management applications and services are focused on improving productivity and safety, a comprehensive advanced dispatching system and applications and telematics services for enterprises and consumers.
In support of road safety, Masarak will have a comprehensive portfolio contributing directly or indirectly to reducing road traffic accidents and casualties through products and services that include: Driver scorecard and performance management, Driver anti-distraction applications and services, Incident detection and prevention applications, Intelligent School Bus Monitoring System, and Emergency/assistance support services.
Masarak is being described as a vital tool that can provide the much needed relief to address many of the mobility, safety and logistics challenges associated with the proposed massive infrastructure development projects that Qatar is to witness over the next several years.
Minister of State for Interior HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, Ashghal president Nasser al-Mawlawi, ictQATAR secretary general Dr Hessa al-Jaber and a number of other senior officials were present at the launch ceremony.
HE the Minister of Municipality and Urban Planning Sheikh Abdurrahman bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani, HE the Minister of State for Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, Qatar University president Prof Sheikha Abdullah al-Misnad, Ashghal president Nasser al-Mawlawi and other officials listening to Dr Adnan Abu-Dayya giving a briefing about Masarak. PICTURE: Nasar T K.