Egypt’s transportation sector is making significant progress in managing and developing the nationwide transport system by integrating the latest information and communication technologies. In the New Administrative Capital, the sector, under the leadership of Minister Kamel El-Wazir, has played a key role in launching several major projects. These initiatives contribute to economic growth, comprehensive development, and ease of movement between urban cities, while enhancing road safety and reducing traffic accidents.

Electric Train (LRT)

The Light Rail Transit (LRT) project connecting Al Salam to the New Administrative Capital is one of Egypt’s most important mass transit initiatives. It supports the development of a modern public transport system, facilitates the movement of citizens, boosts trade and investment, and contributes to the growth of new cities. The project is also expected to create around 500,000 well-paying job opportunities.

The train starts at Adly Mansour Station, running parallel to the Cairo-Ismailia Desert Road until Badr City. From there, it branches north to 10th of Ramadan City and south to the New Administrative Capital, eventually reaching the International Sports City. The line extends over 92 kilometers and includes 16 stations, implemented in three phases:

• Phase one: from Adly Mansour to Capital Station 1, with 11 surface-level stations.

• Phase two: from Capital Station 1 to Capital Station 2 (City of Arts and Culture), with one elevated station.

• Phase three: southward expansion with four stations (three elevated and one surface-level), including Capital 3, Strategic Command, Sports City, and the central interchange station with the high-speed train.

Monorail Project

The New Administrative Capital Monorail, 56.5 kilometers long with 22 stations, connects Greater Cairo to the new capital. It will facilitate the movement of employees and commuters from Cairo and Giza to New Cairo and the new capital. It integrates with Metro Line 3 at Stadium Station in Nasr City and with the LRT at the City of Arts station in the New Capital.

The monorail project represents a shift toward modern, safe, environmentally friendly public transportation that reduces fuel consumption and pollution while easing congestion and encouraging more citizens to use public transit over private vehicles.

Sustainable Transportation

High-quality mobility is essential for the success of urban sectors, job creation, and attracting citizens and businesses. Population growth, demographic shifts, and evolving urban forms are increasing travel demand within and between cities. Cities, both existing and emerging, face the challenge of meeting this rising demand within the limits of existing infrastructure.

At the same time, transportation is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, congestion, noise, and poor air quality in urban areas.

Sustainable development addresses current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. A sustainable transportation system meets the essential access and development needs of individuals, businesses, and society safely and consistently with human health and the ecosystem. It also promotes equity within and between generations.

Such systems are affordable, equitable, efficient, offer multiple travel options, and support competitive economies and balanced regional development. They reduce emissions and waste to within the planet’s capacity, use renewable resources at or below their regeneration rate, and non-renewables at or below the rate of developing renewable alternatives. They also minimize land use and noise generation.

Electrification of Urban Transport

Electrification is a key solution in sustainable mobility. Electric transportation, including buses and trains, reduces urban air pollution, traffic congestion, and noise, while cutting fossil fuel dependency.

Urban metro systems offer high-capacity, high-frequency service, often underground or on elevated tracks. These systems provide efficient land use, lower environmental impact, and are typically more cost-effective than light rail networks.

Light rail systems use smaller, electrically powered trains that operate on surface-level tracks, and occasionally underground or elevated, serving dense urban areas.

The Role of Rail Systems

Rail systems offering strong economics, environmental benefits, and reliable service are essential for smart city development. They are expected to evolve into more service-oriented platforms with enhanced efficiency, safety, and energy conservation. Adopting advanced information systems—such as smart stations and real-time apps—will narrow the gap between public and private transport and foster further development.

Urban Mobility and Development

Urban areas are complex environments for passenger and freight movement. Factors like population density, economic diversity, and land constraints influence mobility patterns.

• Public Transport aims to serve high-density areas efficiently, using buses, trams, metros, and ferries.

• Individual Transport includes walking, cycling, cars, and motorcycles. Preferences vary by context.

• Freight Transport supports urban production and consumption, with delivery trucks connecting industries, warehouses, and retail outlets. The growth of e-commerce has increased residential parcel deliveries.

Trip Generation, Mode Choice, and Routing

Urban residents typically make 3–4 trips daily for work, shopping, or leisure. Trip purpose and timing vary. Freight movements mostly occur in the morning, potentially overlapping with peak commuter hours.

Mode choice depends on cost, availability, distance, income, and preferences. For short distances, walking or cycling may be preferred. Freight delivery also varies in mode, but small and medium trucks dominate for flexibility and accessibility.

Routing decisions are affected by cost, time, congestion, and now increasingly supported by GPS and route optimization technologies that help reduce travel time and energy consumption.

Urban Transport Systems

Public transport is vital in large cities due to high demand and density. As a shared service, its efficiency improves with increased ridership.

• Buses offer flexible service but are subject to road congestion.

• Rail transit, including metro and light rail, often has dedicated right-of-way and operates underground or on elevated tracks.

• Taxis and ride-sharing offer on-demand services using private vehicles.

• Alternative modes like ferries and cable cars serve specific geographical challenges.

Ownership and Management

Most urban transport systems today are publicly owned, influenced by political priorities. This differs from the early days when systems were privately run. Many public systems operate at a loss and require subsidies.

Reasons for financial challenges include:

1. Systems planned around voters, not actual demand.

2. Strong labor unions increasing wage costs.

3. Overinvestment in expensive infrastructure when cheaper options may suffice.

Global Trends in Urban Transport

Urban public transport is rising in Asia, declining in Europe and Latin America, and decreasing in North America. Since the 19th century, public transport has shaped urban form, although its influence is waning.

Cities can be categorized as:

• Transit-Oriented Cities: Built around public transport systems.

• Car-Oriented Cities: Rely heavily on personal vehicles.

• Hybrid Cities: Balance between public and private transport.

Mobility is also a social issue. Transport accessibility varies by income, location, gender, and physical ability. Central areas offer the most transport options, while peripheral areas may leave residents with limited mobility, especially where public transport is lacking or private vehicle ownership is costly.

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