SISSAF coordinates Lebanon's first traffic model workshop

The EU-funded Support Programme for Infrastructure Sector Strategies and Alternative Financing (SISSAF) project organised a workshop on the “Comprehensive Traffic Modelling for the Lebanese Network”.  The event was held on 21 January 2016 in the Radisson Blu Martinez- Ain al Mreisseh, Beirut.  The event gathered together key stakeholders in the transport sector, representatives from the Ministries and the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR) and strategic partners from the UN-ESCWA, transport unions and syndicates.

Mr Cyril Dewaleyne, Programme Manager at the European Union Delegation in Lebanon, welcomed the participants and expressed his appreciation for the teamwork of the transport sector experts and their collaboration with the Directorate General of Land and Maritime Transport (DGLMT) for successfully implementing the new Traffic Modelling system. 

Mr Abdel Hafiz Kayssi, Director General of Land and Maritime Transport, Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) thanked the European Union for the continuous support and contribution to the establishment of this important tool for the transport sector. ‘’The Traffic modelling system will be fully operational in the upcoming months. A memorandum of understanding was prepared, and is ready to be signed by the interested parties”, Mr Kaissi explained during his speech.  

The workshop continued with a presentation on the traffic model in Lebanon in a historical and general perspective, given by Ms Rayane Wehbé, representative of INRO – Partner TMS Consult. Ms Mayssaa Mezher, SISSAF Transport Expert presented to the participants the methodology for upgrading and development of the Traffic Model of Lebanon used by our team.

Mr George Xanthakos, SISSAF’s Transport Key Expert highlighted in his presentation the benefits of the new model, which will lead to a more sustainable usage of the transport sector.  “The traffic model in Lebanon will save money, time and effort for the municipal services, as all means of public transport will be organised according to the needs of the population”, said Mr Xanthakos

SISSAF’s Team Leader, Mr Juan Sanz, expressed the gratitude of all SISSAF team members for the successful collaboration with the DGLMT in the preparation of the Traffic Model.

Mr Sanz also stated that the preparation of the model is not a single event, but rather a continuous effort, which requires the ongoing collaboration from all of the stakeholders to further the successful implementation of the model. 

The workshop ended with a series of productive discussions and suggestions on the coordination and administration of the traffic model.  All participants expressed their interest in further familiarising themselves with the new traffic model.