As Road User Charging Conference Middle East & Africa (MEA) 2025 approaches, CiTTi Magazine profiles the experts confirmed to speak at the internationally recognised event.
Taking place on 28-29 May in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the annual Road User Charging Conference MEA will explore the latest advancements in user-financed transport infrastructure.
The prestigious two-day conference gathers policymakers, industry leaders and innovators to share best practices in the planning, financing, implementation and operation of tolling, road usage charging and mobility pricing strategies across urban areas, highways and regional transport corridors.
Among this year’s speakers is Richard Lewis, vice chair of the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) Dubai.
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A transport planning specialist with more than 23 years of experience in the UK and Middle East, Lewis has led and contributed to numerous tolling and pricing studies across both regions.
His experience includes work on parking charge assessments in Jeddah, a major PPP parking project in Riyadh and other cities in Saudi Arabia, as well as various Middle Eastern tolling feasibility studies.
He has also supported UK-based scenario testing and modelling projects focused on road user charging (RUC).
At the event, Lewis will expand on CIHT’s experience supporting the development of Saudi Arabia’s RUC strategy and the role such systems can play in advancing Vision 2030 infrastructure goals.
His presentation will offer insight into the challenges and practical considerations of implementing user-financed transport in a dynamic, high-growth region.
Name: Richard Lewis
Job Title: Vice Chair
Organisation: Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation Dubai
What is the most rewarding aspect of your role?
The opportunity to contribute to transformative projects that shape the future of mobility in the Middle East. The region’s rapid adoption of new technologies and planning methodologies presents an exciting, fast-moving environment. Collaborating with expert teams to develop solutions that enhance urban mobility and improve quality of life is particularly fulfilling. As vice chair of CIHT Dubai, I also take pride in supporting the professional development of our members and helping to guide the branch’s strategic direction.
What is the biggest challenge facing user-financed transportation in 2025?
Striking a balance between financial sustainability and user affordability. As reliance on user charges increases, it is essential to ensure that pricing mechanisms remain equitable and do not disproportionately affect low-income users. Transparency in how revenues are allocated will be key to maintaining public trust and long-term support.
What is your best piece of advice for implementing user-financed transport systems?
Engage stakeholders early and consistently. Gaining input from users, policymakers and industry partners during the design phase fosters trust and increases the likelihood of successful adoption. At the same time, leveraging data analytics to understand user behaviour enables the creation of targeted, effective and equitable pricing structures.
Does legislation help or hinder innovation in the sector?
It can do both. Clear, flexible legislation provides essential guidance and a stable foundation for investment and deployment. However, rigid or outdated regulations risk delaying projects and constraining innovation. Striking the right legislative balance is crucial for enabling progress while safeguarding public interest.
How will user-financed transport evolve by 2030?
By 2030, I expect a broader application of dynamic pricing models that adjust fees based on demand and congestion, as already seen in Singapore’s ERP system and Dubai’s dynamic pricing for SALIK and parking. We will also see more efficient, user-friendly technologies that improve transparency, streamline fee collection and support long-term trust in the system.
Why are you looking forward to speaking at Road User Charging Conference MEA 2025?
The conference provides a valuable platform for knowledge exchange with leaders and decision-makers from across the region. It offers an opportunity to share lessons learned, explore the latest innovations in charging systems and contribute to the ongoing dialogue around sustainable, user-financed mobility solutions for rapidly evolving cities.
Discover the key trends and challenges shaping the future of user-financed transportation – spanning tolling, pricing and road usage charging – at Akabo Media’s global Road User Charging Conference series. Join senior decision-makers from around the world as they tackle the issues defining the industry in Abu Dhabi (May 2025), Miami (September 2025), Singapore (October 2025) and Brussels (March 2026). Gain invaluable insights, share innovative ideas and network with global leaders driving the transformation of transportation systems. Click here to learn more and secure your place!
