Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum has approved the design of the AED335mn (USD91.2mn) enterprise command and control centre, or EC3, for Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA). The EC3 will provide integrated management of mobility and public transport infrastructure in Dubai and is understood to be one of the key infrastructure requirements for the Expo 2020. EC3 will link the various control centres of RTA’s operational agencies including the Dubai Metro, tram, public transport, taxis and traffic systems and is designed to become one of Dubai’s landmarks. The overall facility will cover an area of 6,996 sqm with a total floor area of 10,900 sqm. The control room, which will  host numerous servers, screens, cameras and network equipment, will cover an area of 430 sqm and will have a 13m high ceiling. The rest of the facility will comprise office spaces, an auditorium, and a press centre in addition to four utility buildings. After linking all of the RTA’s operational units, the centre will eventually link with external entities that are associated with the RTA. According to Mattar al-Tayer, RTA director-general and chairman, the EC3 is expected to play an important role in Dubai’s transformation into a smart city, towards a more efficient public transport system. (MEED)