AN ACCESSIBLE AND EFFICIENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM: A POWERFUL ECONOMIC LEVER FOR THE ISRAEL

Facts Are Undeniable
Israel is undergoing an unprecedented transportation revolution, arguably the largest in its history. It is transforming the country's landscape and connecting its communities in ways never seen before. Mega-projects are unfolding before our eyes: high-speed railways, innovative light rail and metro lines, dedicated public transit lanes, road upgrades and expansive development of transportation infrastructure within cities and metropolitan areas.

This revolution goes beyond the building of physical infrastructure. It is creating new lifelines that enable smoother, more efficient movement for millions. With innovative technologies, Israel is making physical and social space more accessible.

This undertaking is driven by clear understanding that strategic transportation planning is crucial to economic growth, to bridging social gaps and to enhancing quality of life. Congested roads and long travel times are more than a daily nuisance: they are economic and social barriers. Smart, forward-looking planning transforms transportation from something purely technical into a powerful lever that expands opportunities, reduces travel time and promotes a more equitable and connected society.

Multidisciplinary Planning Services
At the heart of this transportation revolution is Mahod Engineering Ltd., a pioneer in infrastructure planning in Israel with over 50 years of experience. Mahod engineers are not just observing these changes, they are shaping Israel's transportation future. The company's co-CEOs Eli Kugler and Daniel Rod [unable to check this name or the spelling] lead the firm in executing national-scale projects, from highways and urban transit to heavy and light rail, and flagship metro initiatives. Their decades of knowledge and expertise enable the company to handle complex planning challenges, integrating innovative approaches and advanced technologies.

Founded in 1971, Mahod Engineering is one of the oldest firms in Israel's transportation engineering and infrastructure sector. It specializes in multidisciplinary planning services, encompassing comprehensive traffic management, signal design, physical planning, rail systems, drainage, structural engineering, acoustics, infrastructure coordination and statutory processes at national and local level. This broad scope makes the company a trusted go-to partner for government ministries, infrastructure companies, contractors
local authorities alike.

With some 130 skilled professionals at work in its Ness Ziona and Beersheba branches, Mahod harnesses advanced technological tools, such as traffic simulations, signal design and BIM (Building Information Modeling), a 3D planning approach that enhances accuracy, prevents planning conflicts and improves planning and execution processes. In designing the infrastructure and working toward a better transportation future, the company shapes how we live and move.

Focus on Complex Transportation Infrastructure
Mahod's core expertise is in complex transportation infrastructure planning. In the roads sector, the company oversees traffic engineering, geometric design, advanced drainage, signal planning, micro-traffic simulation, land development and more. In rail transportation, its expertise are in full-route planning for heavy and light rail, including railway maintenance complexes and the integration of communications, electrification and multi-disciplinary coordination.

A prime example is the NTA (Metropolitan Mass Transit System LTD)'s Metro-Line M3, a 39-kilometer semicircular rail-line connecting Bat Yam in the south to Herzliya in the north through a series of cities in the Dan metropolitan area. One of three international planning consortia in this national project, Mahod leads its design and management.

Other key initiatives underway include the southern section of Highway 6 (from the Shoresh Interchange to Kiryat Gat) for TransIsrael LTD; doubling the railway track from Mazkeret Batya to Beersheba; preparing statutory plans for a high-speed rail line; and planning a segment of the future railway to Eilat.Among the company's past projects are doubling Ben Gurion Airport's train station and upgrading the Beit Dagan Interchange into a public transportation-oriented interchange for NATI (National Roads Company of Israel).

Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Planning
Mahod's uniqueness is its comprehensive multidisciplinary planning for all project stages, from conceptual design through detailed execution planning. This covers complementary planning disciplines such as hydrology, drainage, infrastructure coordination, acoustics and statutory approvals, for all of which it streamlines interaction with governmental planning institutions and local authorities.

The company also tackles traffic-planning holistically, macro to micro, encompassing traffic simulations, signal planning and detailed traffic arrangements to ensure optimal and efficient flow. This integrated approach offers clients an all-in-one solution, free from coordinating multiple parties.

Innovative Models for Future Planning
CEOs Kugler and Rod explain the many challenges posed by modern transportation planning, an increasingly complex landscape that demands profound expertise, broad knowledge and extensive experience.

"It's no secret that planning today is more complex than before," says Rod. "Before civil engineering even begins, it demands advanced mapping and forecasting of traffic loads. We do this with advanced simulations and transport models, enabling government agencies and other clients to anticipate future needs and design solutions."
Mahod continuously expands its multidisciplinary capabilities to give its clients comprehensive responses at every planning stage. BIM, for example, has become a transformative force in transportation infrastructure. Its 3D models help prevent design conflicts, enhance system coordination, improve planning accuracy and enable clients to visualize outcomes in clear, immersive 3D as never before. The detailed execution data that the technology produces supports contractors, transforming the entire infrastructure value chain.

Comprehensive Transportation Planning
The metropolitan and urban transportation solutions that Mahod offers are complete. "We give our clients comprehensive models that simulate multiple traffic options for any future development infrastructure," says Rod. "This includes adding lanes to existing roads and building new ones, designing traffic control systems integrated into intercity/ urban models and ensuring smooth, reliable public transit. This enables optimal integration of public transportation while ensuring the smooth flow of vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists alike. The goal is delivering an accessible, efficient and balanced transportation experience for vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists alike."

The Transportation Revolution is Here
Like other sectors of the economy, Mahod Engineering has been operating in a constant state of emergency for almost two years, requiring real-time, on-the-fly adaptations.

"At the outset of the war, several employees were called up for military service, and the proximity of our Beersheba branch to Gaza and the rocket fire disrupted operations," recounts Kugler. "Despite these challenges, our planning work has continued uninterrupted, even during periods of heightened security. We've had 'essential service' status since the COVID-19 period, which proved crucial during the war months. It enabled us to continue supporting the Defense Ministry and other agencies under emergency conditions. This is a place to thank our dedicated team for their commitment and determination to meet every target and every client's need, no small achievement under such circumstances."

In any case, as the saying goes — fittingly for Mahod Engineering's area of expertise —the train has left the station. The company continues to operate at an accelerated pace and anticipates an especially dynamic decade ahead, with physical and infrastructure developments poised to significantly advance Israel's transportation landscape.

"We've seen a fundamental shift in thinking among regulators and decision-makers in recent years," explains Rod. "There's now clear and deliberate prioritization of public transportation and mass transit, combined with the development of a network of light rail and rapid transit systems for metropolitan areas such as Dan, Jerusalem, Haifa and Beersheba. This complements the continued expansion of intercity road networks, aimed at reducing travel time between the country's center and its periphery, along with improving access to economic hubs and supporting the development of more distant regions. A key part of this strategy is enhancing the heavy rail network, ensuring that it's sufficiently robust to meet today's growing transportation needs.

What Does This Mean?
"The goal is to encourage people to choose public transportation over private cars, increasing confidence in mass transit networks," says Rod. "This is the narrative at the regulatory level among government ministries and local authorities in metropolitan areas. It represents the most effective way of easing congestion in major urban centers, while emphasizing transportation connectivity and accessibility."

According to Kugler, "the bottom line is that effective transportation solutions, aligned with real on-the-ground needs, are essential for ensuring both quality of life and economic efficiency. We feel truly privileged to contribute each day to the Zionist vision in laying the foundations for planning and infrastructure in our beloved country. It's designed to serve all segments of the population for decades to come, reducing Israel's comparative reduce the lag in transportation."

"The equation is clear," concludes Rod. "An accessible and efficient transportation system, well distributed countrywide, is a powerful economic lever. Every shekel invested in transportation yields exponential returns. Effective mobility means less wasted time and greater productivity. After years of lagging behind global standards, Israel is now catching up, and even leading, its own transportation revolution."

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In collaboration with Mahod Engineering Ltd.