Operation Crossing the Strait of Gibraltar, Europe largest people mover begins

USPA NEWS - This week begins in Spain Operation Crossing the Strait of Gibraltar (OPE in its Spanish acronym) 2015 with a device designed to cope with the pace of about 2.5 million people and 600,000 vehicles to Maghreb, whose main objective is to ensure the fluidity and safety of travelers.

This transaction represents the largest device launched at European level for the movement of citizens in just three months. Phase-out takes place from June 15 to August 15 and Return, from 15 July to 15 September. The days of high intensity in the output stage may coincide with the beginning of August (1, 2, 3 and 4 August), while in the return phase, it is estimated that the critical dates coincide with the ultimate aim week of that month, namely from Thursday 27 until Sunday 30 August. In addition, a medium intensity is expected in the number of vehicles during all weekends of between 10 July and 23 August.

In order to ensure the effectiveness of the device, the Directorate General of Civil Defense and Emergencies of the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, in collaboration with the Port Authority of Algeciras Bay, has organized a Technical Conference Coordination aimed at operational and personnel managers 2015. Besides the OPE, has hired 74 technicians (translators and social workers) to work in the operation, along with 300 Red Cross volunteers are integrated into the overall device, based on the agreement signed between the two institutions.

According to the Spanish Special Plan of Civil Protection, the device consists of a Fleet Plan set dates and volume of people, vehicles and goods, a system of social and health care, and a safety device that will feature more than 9,000 troops of the Forces of State Security, who will work with the Local Police and Port, as well as the Moroccan Police.

The applicability ticket interchangeability between shipping companies in the ports of Tarifa and Algeciras, during the season of greatest influx of vehicles, so that the passengers upon arrival to port, to take the first ship to sail remains. One year, the Directorate General of Civil Defense and Emergencies has conditioned the Emergency Area Neighborhoods to host up to 10,000 people and 2,500 vehicles on standby, with the appropriate staffing of support and maintenance should be required to run in the days of greater intensity of vehicles.

To the best knowledge of the driveway on the border with France, Traffic provided a supply system, continuously, the passage of vehicles through the borders of Irun and La Junquera, in the Basque Country and Catalonia, respectively. The Border Information System (SIF in its Spanish acronym) also monitors the passage of vehicles from other strategic points on the busiest routes. The data obtained in advance prevent inflow levels to ports.

Throughout the trip, the users will receive updated information, through panels on road conditions and the best routes that move, all with the aim of increasing the flow and safety on the trip. Also, the millions of citizens who cross the Strait of Gibraltar during these months will have information about the progress of the operation on the Internet.