According to the World Bank, Beirut is at the core of Lebanon’s service-based economy and accounts for one-third of the country’s population. However, the city and the greater metropolitan area suffer from severe traffic congestion, which results in high economic losses and deteriorating air quality. The congestion problem is exacerbated by the heavy reliance of urban residents’ on private cars: 83 percent of the 2 million daily vehicular trips are carried out by car, and only the remaining 17 percent rely on public transport. The Greater Beirut Area (GBA) further suffers from a lack of traffic and parking enforcement, as well as a fragmented and unorganized public transport system.

The focus of the Urban Transport Development Project (UTDP) is on providing the city of Beirut and the GBA with a basic institutional framework and the critical investments needed to maximize the efficiency of the existing urban transport infrastructure. A centerpiece in the institutional framework is the establishment of the Traffic Management Organization (TMO), supported by the construction of a Traffic Management Center (TMC). Critical investments included the construction of 19 grade separation facilities at highly congested intersections along seven main corridors of the GBA.

The strategy adopted in 2003 at the launch of the UTDP consisted of: for the short to medium term, address critical needs and prepare for an efficient transport system for the Greater Beirut Area (GBA); and, for the long term, develop an integrated public transport system and complete the transport system infrastructure (mainly the Périphérique).

Key outcomes are the following:

- Effective traffic control system throughout the Greater Beirut Area, and a well-functioning Traffic Management Organization (TMO): the Traffic Management Center (TMC) has been completed, staffed, equipped and is now operational, with closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed and 200 intersections equipped with traffic lights, all connected to the TMC.

- Construction of key infrastructure on major corridors: 10 grade separation facilities (overpasses and underpasses) are completed and open to traffic, 3 intersections are under construction and 2 others are being awarded as of October 30, 2011.

- Effective on-street parking management, with average daily revenue per park-meter installed under the project reaching Lebanese pound (LBP) 50,000 in 2011 (compared to 0 in 2007), with the installation and operation of 735 Pay and Display machines by a private sector operator.

- Reduction by 30 percent of parking violations in areas critical to efficient traffic operations between 2008 and 2011.

- Technical assistance for transport planning and public transport development: completion of a study for the revitalization of transport, a strategy note for public urban transport system in GBA and a study for alternative modes of transport on a main corridor.

According to a World Bank report, the remaining challenges are: launching the planned Three-Year Operation and Maintenance contract to secure effective performance of the traffic management system; implementing the Traffic Police Action Plan (reorganization, adequate staffing and training) for effective enforcement of traffic and parking controls; and completing the preparatory studies for an integrated public transport system. An action plan for an integrated public transport system in Beirut, TransBeirut, has been formulated and the challenge now is to prepare an urban public transport project for the GBA, complete the financing plan and start implementation.