Background

Kuwait is highly urbanized State and most people live in the cities. Issues and constraints that contribute to traffic and transport sector problems in Kuwait include (1) Increasing demand for transport of people and goods associated with limited infrastructure capacity, inefficient public transport services, and unavailability of railway and metro networks, (2) need for better transport-land use planning, (3) need for a reliable information system, (4) increasing vehicles, population, congestion, vehicle emissions, and accidents.

The Government has launched a long-term policy vision under the banner of “Kuwait 2035”, aimed at transferring Kuwait into a regional financial and commercial hub, to enhance sustainability of the country’s economy. A 4 years National Development Plan (NDP) has been developed to facilitate the implementation.
To manage demand, and improve mobility and accessibility in Kuwait, an integrated National Traffic and Transport Strategy 2010-2020 (NTTS) has been developed, included in the NDP, and adopted by the Ministers Council for implementation by the relevant Ministries.

As a priority project, the public transport has been selected for implementation through building of Kuwait metro, railway network and modernization of current bus services. The Ministry of Communications (MOC) is now in process of development of the metro system to ensure high quality connection of the economic centers.

The project aims to build efficient and integrated metro system which handles traffic demand necessary to sustain Kuwait's economic growth through modern infrastructure and technology, efficient usage and operations, and institutional reform, and to enhance energy efficiency, improve the environment, enhance safety, alleviate congestion, maximize benefit for consumers and producers and improve productivity.

Objectives of the assignment

The objective of the assignment is to provide technical support for the MOC to promote best practice of planning and implementation of Kuwait metro, improve capacity of the stakeholders, evaluate performance, promote better initiatives and provide decision makers and practitioners with reliable tool for efficient policy development, implementation schemes and reduction of socioeconomic cost of traffic problems. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The scope of work will include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:

• Support the MOC in planning, design, construction, and testing of the project;
• Assess the traffic demand and sector's capacity, and review available options;
• Assess the NDP and NTTS requirements in connection with road and public transport networks, and land uses, and recommend how the proposed metro project can be integrated with these issues;
• Supervision of contractors’ performance, quality control, reviews general design, and certifying process;
• Assess the national and intermodal benefits of the proposed metro project;
• Assess alignment options, lines, least cost, proposed stations, technical specifications, obstacles, and make recommendations on the sustainability of the project after completion;
• Develop RFP, feasibility study, survey, design, bill of quantities, contract packages, TORs for consultancy work, and cost estimates as required, including externalities cost such as resettlement, environment, implementation plan, and budget plan;
• Monitor safety, health and environment;
• Develop key performance indicators and monitoring and evaluation system and assess successful service provider’s efficiency, and performance against targets;
• Coordination with the Technical Director of the NTTS Project;
• Report to the National Project Director of the MOC.

Development of a metro system in Kuwait is a new phenomenon. The metro system normally operates in the urban area which needs efficient transport and land use planning, and consideration of various urban features.

Expected outputs

The outputs of the assignment include, but not necessarily be limited to, the followings:

• Assessment of current status in Kuwait, including proposed metro alignment, previous studies, various urban features, and project management issues;
• Assessment  of  potential operation efficiency including waiting time, number of passengers at the stops, number of standees in the locomotives,  location of metro stops, and link with the urban road network, pedestrian and parking facilities;
• Development of proposals and implementation plan and gain management approval;
• Development of project budget and cost plan;
• Development of thorough guidelines to optimize the use of resources and facilitate uniform implementation taking into account all relevant metro  system components such as integrated transport planning, transport modes, engineering and system design, safety and security, environmental noise standards, earthquake resistant, tunnels and bridges,  power supply, signaling, control facilities, software, construction procedures, alignment and work zones,  user demand, climate conditions, reliability, availability and maintainability, automatic fare collection, performance requirements,  testing, platform stops, communications, train lighting, clock system, ventilation and air conditioning, recovery system, information system, stations, and quality assurance;
• Development of sustainable program for training of local cadres, management, and assignment of new staff, including metro planning and engineering, construction supervision, operations, maintenance, safety and security;
• Preparation of RFP, answering queries, and participate at the evaluation and selection;
• Supervision of procurement requirements and contractor works, conduct required test and approve deliverable;
• Conduct workshop and training sessions in line with the approved implementation plan and deadlines;
• Produce technical papers regarding the project and international best practice to advance knowledge of staff and management;
• Harmonization of management modalities of the different consultant/contractor outputs, to meet objectives and deadlines;
• Development of periodical progress reports.

Competencies

The consultant should demonstrate diverse skills in various areas of the rail system, including but not necessarily be limited to, the following.

Technical Knowledge:

• Knowledge of strategic requirements of metro infrastructure, transport- land uses planning, Intelligent Transport System, Project management, enforcement, and information system issues;
• Knowledge of the relevant  procurement requirements, e.g civil, building, track works, bridges, tunnels, electrical and mechanical, signals and communications, bridges, plant and equipment, locomotives, ticketing, lines, and maintenance depot;
• Ability to provide evidence of previous involvement in the planning and execution of similar key projects, and to provide references to these projects;
• Strong written, communication and organization skills.

Achieving Results:

• Appreciation of the role of metro system, and integration of expressways, local roads and public transport services, to improve accessibility, support economic growth, enhance safety, alleviate congestion, and ability to provide high standard guidance;
• Ability to helps staff to expand knowledge, and provide sustainable training and development program.
  

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Appropriate degree, preferably at MSc or PhD level, in the relevant area from an accredited university, e.g civil or rail/metro engineering.

Experience:

• 20 years of professional experience with solid record of practical achievement and management of integrated and complex projects;
• Comprehensive Knowledge and practical experience in large scale metro  projects, ability to assess bids of complex transport / metro  projects using modern techniques, and experience in the development of efficient implementation schedules and budget plans;
• Experience in the integration of various modern transport factors including financing mechanisms, engineering, management, drawbacks and services;
• Experience in preparing RFP, bid evaluation, technical specification development, project management and feasibility study of metro projects in a complex environment, and achievement of significant outcomes;
• Knowledge of relevant issues such as institutional reform, human resources development, strategy, transport demand management, safety, road system, traffic management, congestion issues, GIS, information system and interagency coordination;
• Demonstrated skills in programme formulation and design, and experience in the usage of computer, relevant specialized programs and office software packages.

Language:

• Fluent in English.

Duration:

• The consultancy duration is 9 months and will end by December 2014 (with a possibility of extension).