Integrating Security Concepts from the Very Conception of a Public Transport System: The Example of Abu Dhabi
Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 is a massive urban development plan that will guide the evolution of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi into a world-class, sustainable global center for business, culture and tourism. To help achieve this plan, an extensive multimodal transportation system is being built. This article discusses the security-related aspects of this system. Abu Dhabi will mitigate safety and security risks through the design of the system itself. Principles of crime prevention through environmental design will be applied throughout the system. These features include arched ceilings that reduce the number of video surveillance blind spots, integrated intrusion detection systems, and fare checkpoints with retractable barriers to ensure that the barriers do not interfere with emergency evacuation. A cybersecurity system is being designed that will help mitigate vulnerabilities such as computer viruses that can lead to system disruptions. Abu Dhabi is also designing a new regulatory and oversight governance structure that will ensure that relevant stakeholders are properly engaged, coordinated and empowered in transit safety and security. The Emirate is also requiring contractors to define how they will identify, evaluate and resolve potential safety hazards and security threats and vulnerabilities.