RTA reopens Dubai transport museum

The RTA Transport Museum in Dubai showcases the history of the emirate's transport systems.

DUBAI // Antique miniatures and artefacts showing the development of transport in the emirate are among the new exhibits in a revamped museum.

The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) museum also features interactive screens with narration of the history of transport in Dubai as part of its reopening.

The RTA Transport Museum was opened by Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the RTA board of directors. Mr Al Tayer said he was delighted at the work done at the museum to improve the visitor experience.

People can learn about the challenges the RTA overcame to develop the transport system the emirate enjoys today.

The gallery area of the museum is composed of several corners that tell the story of how the transportation and road network has evolved over the years.

There are displays for vehicle number plates, driving licences, old marine transit modes, along with the older, more cumbersome modes of transport. There is even a model of the first four-wheel drive vehicle in the emirate, which arrived in 1931.

The museum has sections depicting previous visits by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Council, to the RTA’s headquarters.

The Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport is shown and visitors can also take a virtual tour of Dubai road planning using touch screens.

Other attractions include a documentary as well as models of existing and future RTA projects, like the Water Canal and Metro station designs.

There are also exhibits showing proposed projects in Dubai up to 2020, 2030 and 2050, along with illuminated plates replicating the anticipated designs of future vehicles.