Qatar's multibillion-dollar programme to expand its transport infrastructure will come under spotlight during a major conference in April.

The Second Annual Urban Transportation Summit will be held in Doha from April 18 to 21.

The recent projects that will hog the limelight at the summit include Doha's new airport, the formation of the long-awaited Qatar Railway Network and the expansion of local bus networks, said the event organisers IQPC.

With new tenders being announced on a frequent basis, Qatar is paving the way for launch of world class future transportation projects in time for the 2020 Olympic Games and the 2022 World Cup.

According to IQPC, the intricate and ambitious masterplan will be discussed in detail at the four-day event to be held in Marriott Hotel, Doha.

Over 150 senior industry experts are expected at the summit to share solutions and best practice in future transportation projects in the region, they said.

Jamal Al-Kaabi, acting manager of Design Department, Ashghal, will provide an in-depth discussion on the development of the national transport system and future infrastructure plans.

Martin Bay, chairman of DB International will deliver an exclusive presentation of the planned railway network and its key elements, including the metro systems, long distance passenger travel and freight transport.

'The whole world is wrestling with moving people out of cars and onto public transport, which in turn changes the nature of how we plan and design our cities,' pointed out Ian Mulcahey, principal planning and urban design, Gensler.

'Urban Transport is a highly important issue for all major cities but is particularly topical for the Gulf cities, which are on the cusp of their own transit revolution,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service