Managing traffic for large events: How THTC and TomTom succeeded in the Middle East
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Keeping a busy city moving takes precise, real-time information. In the middle east, THTC makes that information easily available to local traffic authorities, helping them keep roads safe and traffic flowing.
Any large-scale event requires careful planning and organization. Take, for example, an international sports tournament — a massive affair, with VIPs, athletes and spectators flooding in from all over the world. But the challenge isn’t just in hosting the individual events that make up the tournament, it’s in managing the chaos that comes with moving thousands of people smoothly through the city. For the organizers, getting everyone, spectators, delegates and players, smoothly to and from the venues is paramount.In cities like those in the Middle East, as the skyline grows by the day, traffic is a constant concern for drivers and city authorities alike. According to TomTom Traffic Index 2023, in Doha, the average time to cover 10km by driving was 12 minutes and 10 seconds. However, over the course of the year, an average driver will spend 99 hours in traffic, 22 of which are the result of traffic congestion.
So, it is no surprise that traffic management becomes even trickier during large scale events, when more people are in the city, and traffic volumes are even higher.While the modern infrastructure in places like Doha is certainly impressive, ensuring that it works seamlessly under pressure is where the real test begins. Smart mobility technologies and traffic management are the obvious solutions — and a top priority for government authorities.With millions of visitors expected during large-scale events, it is essential for host cities to embrace data-driven tools to improve their transportation networks. In recent years, a particular technological partnership has emerged to be a game-changer for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. Transport Hi-Tech Consultants (THTC), a company specializing in navigation and traffic management solutions in the region, has partnered with TomTom since 2006 to help local authorities manage the often-chaotic flow of traffic.
The result is a seamless transportation experience that has transformed how traffic was managed at some of the world’s most high-profile events in the GCC region, notably the FIFA World Cup in 2022 and the AFC Asian Cup 2023.A solution in smart mobility
Founded in 1999, THTC is an expert in smart city solutions, intelligent traffic systems (ITS) and mobility technologies. When it came to managing traffic for major events, THTC needed a comprehensive, real-time data platform to meet growing local demands. The company found it in long-term partner TomTom, which provides extensive map data, real-time traffic monitoring and cutting-edge APIs. THTC's local expertise and TomTom's real-time traffic data enabled the establishment of a customized traffic management platform.
The partnership was put to the test in recent years during the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
A dashboard to save the day
To ensure the event’s transportation went without a hitch, THTC monitored over 1,500 different routes and travel corridors used by the event’s delegation — these routes were meticulously researched by the operating authority team to accommodate the diverse travel requirements of VIPs, match referees and teams. Once these routes were defined, the transport technology company used TomTom’s Move Portal to gather up to the minute traffic data to assess road conditions in real-time. For ease of use, these routes were coded into an API that allowed them to be easily integrated into a user-friendly Interactive Dashboard used by local traffic authorities.With tools in hand and a birds-eye view of the roads, traffic managers could avoid potential bottlenecks and reroute vehicles in real-time, preventing delays and minimizing congestion, thus ensuring that VIPs, match referees, and athletes arrived at their destinations on time.
After the FIFA World Cup, the THTC-TomTom solution surpassed expectations. The real-time, data-driven solution had empowered transportation authorities to maintain smooth operations and reduce costs. By offering alternative routes and travel time estimates, authorities alleviated travel stress and improved the overall commuting experience. The whole process not only enhanced the experience for attendees but also demonstrated the value of data-driven traffic management for large-scale events. Feedback from stakeholders — including VIPs, athletes and event organizers— was also overwhelmingly positive.
A year later, Qatar hosted the AFC Asian Cup. With over 1.5 million attendees, including VIPs and athletes, ensuring timely transportation during the AFC was paramount. Any delay in the arrival of referees, teams or VIPs could have disrupted match schedules, frustrated attendees and caused reputational damage to the host city.
THTC once again ensured smooth road travel for the event's delegation. With confidence in TomTom's real-time traffic data from the previous year and prior experience developing principles and technology for the last event, THTC knew exactly what was needed. By creating a customized interactive dashboard and data stream, local authorities could make informed decisions and have a real-time overview of road conditions. This helped event management staff choose the best routes for VIPs, referees and teams to navigate varying traffic conditions and reach their destinations and matches without delays. A blueprint for the future
Beyond the immediate success of the FIFA World Cup and the AFC Asian Cup, the collaboration between THTC and TomTom has set a new standard for how cities in the GCC can handle traffic challenges during major events.
As cities in the Middle East continue to grow, the need for effective traffic management solutions will only increase. Using real-time traffic data and innovative solutions like smart dashboards, authorities in the GCC region can guarantee seamless transportation and set new benchmarks for upcoming events. In the years to come, the THTC-TomTom partnership will likely serve as a blueprint for how technology can enhance urban mobility amidst rapid growth and growing global interest.* Required field. By submitting your contact details to TomTom, you agree that we can contact you about marketing offers, newsletters, or to invite you to webinars and events. We could further personalize the content that you receive via cookies. You can unsubscribe at any time by the link included in our emails. Review our privacy policy.