Planning of National Transport Infrastructure
In the Islamic Countries
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analysis. The output is therefore embedded in a comprehensive transportation assessment
framework considering performance, environmental, and financial aspects of scenarios. The
employment of this process – that is still at an early stage of implementation – will allow Qatar
to make relevant progresses in a short time, catching up with countries like United Arab
Emirates.
Mega projects play the main role in the National Vision 2030’s goals. They are of different
natures, including road, rail, air and water base transport modes and their target is to provide a
sufficient transportation equipment and logistics solutions adequate for a prompt delivery.
Among these are the Hamad International Airport (HIA), the New Doha port, and several mega
cities such as Lusail and Musheireb. In addition, the Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail)
oversees the implementation of the Qatar’s integrated railway network that plans to extend
shipping railways by 325 km and to connect Qatar’s rail networks to the others’ belonging to the
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Qatar Rail Development Program (QRDP) works in line with the National Vision 2030 committed
to foster sustainable growth and development providing an alternative and modern mean of
transportation to comply with the fast-growing economy and with the aim to make Qatar one of
the most advanced countries in the transportation sector. The QRDP leads three main
developments:
 Doha Metro
 Long Distance Passenger and Freight Rail
 Lusail Light Rail Transit
The Doha Metro will link the focal areas inside and outside the capital such as Lusail city, HIA,
the Education City, and the West Bay area through four lines 354 km long. There are four lines:
 Red Line (Coastal Line) that crosses Wakrah City, the Doha International Airport,
Musheireb, Katara, The Pearl, and Qatar University routes
 Gold Line (History Line) that links the airport’s northern part with Souk Waqef, Musheireb,
Bin Mahmoud, Al Sadd, and Al Waab
 Green Line (Education Line) that crosses the Al Rayyan Road and connects Education City
with Musheireb and Hamad Hospital
 Blue Line (City Line) that is a semi-circular line linking residential and commercial areas in
the West Bay and the northern part of Airport City with the main C-Ring Road.
The project is implemented in two stages: the first, that should be completed in 2019, includes
the setup of 37 stations – among which the Musheireb Station will be the metro network’s
headquarters and the intersection point for three of its four lines (Red, Green and Gold) – 84 km
long. The second stage should be achieved in 2026 and extends the network to an overall length
of 152 km in (47 kmunderground, 76 km above ground level, and 29 kmon ground level) among
56 stations. The Long-Distance Passenger and Freight Rail transportation systemwill be 350 km
long and its speed will be ranged between 220 and 350 km/h for passenger trains and nearing
120 km/hrs for freight trains. The project – that is expected to be finalized in 2030 - can be
divided into three different categories: a shuttle service for GCC transit passengers and
travellers, transportation services for locals, and freight transport services for international and
domestic routes (Marhaba, 2013).