Dubai: Dynamic tolls reduce traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road by 9%
According to authorities, traffic volumes on Sheikh Zayed Road have decreased by 9 percent following the implementation of dynamic road tolls in Dubai. Salik applied dynamic toll pricing on January 31, currently, motorists are charged Dh6 during peak hours and Dh4 during off-peak hours on weekdays. New variable parking rates were implemented in April as well, with premium public parking spots now charging Dh6 per hour during peak hours.
These policies form a part of Dubai's “sustainable, long-term solutions” aimed at mitigating the ever-increasing traffic congestion. The aim is to optimize traffic flow efficiency by 20 to 30 percent.
As outlined by the RTA, additional measures that have been implemented to support this goal include the introduction of flexible work hour arrangements, remote work policies, dynamic pricing for roads and parking spaces, and new restrictions for the movement of heavy vehicles.
These updates were provided in a workshop that was graced by the presence of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai. The workshops had the theme of ‘Connecting Bridges’ focused on six areas: merging access to emerging transport modes, deploying intelligent and proactive road systems, improving address public awareness about congestion and travel expectations, reducing trip frequency and duration, and encouraging development and planning synergies.
While addressing the workshop, the RTA Director General and Board Chairman, Mattar Al Tayer, explained the main factors that contribute to traffic congestion around the unique city of Dubai. Al Tayer pointed out the rapid urban expansion that the city has experienced in the last two to three decades compared to Dubai's other global counterparts.
“In the last decade, Dubai has persistently held a propor at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 6%. This is with respect to the global average of 1.1% percent a year. Further projecting out, Dubai's daytime population is estimated to reach an astounding 8 Million by the year 2040. During the same span, tourists are set to cross north of 18 Million by 2024 representing a growth of 9% from prior years.”
In the same context, Vehicle ownership in Dubai rose to an estimated 2.5 Million cars in the year 2024 making Dubai own fifty percent of cars registered in UAE.
The city's multicultural population also contributes to ill-defined traffic problems thanks to their unique driving styles and a lack of trip planning. Such driving behaviors alongside ignorance of peak hours, as described by Al Tayer, increase pressure on specific traffic corridors. Al Tayer notes, however, that Dubai still outperforms other global metropoles, including Montreal, Sydney, London, and Singapore, when it comes to average travel time per person, even during periods of heightened congestion.
Without traffic
During the next three years, Dubai's Road and Transport Authority (RTA) plans on initiating investment projects worth upwards of Dh40 billion, all exceeding a cumulative 30 in number. The projects include the Dubai Metro Blue Line, estimated to ease vehicular congestion by up to 20 percent in major districts, which will be serving major districts.
Enhancing cross sector collaboration is essential in fighting mobility and traffic issues, as discussed by Al Tayer. He also pointed to the need for public and private sectors to integrate inter-agency planning to address non-traffic mobility concerns in government serviced regions.
Additionally, as congestion eases, so do the benefits of enhanced remote work, staggered school scheduling, and distance learning.
Increasing supply, reducing commutes
As discussed by Rashed Mohamed, Chief Real Estate Officer at Wasl Group, affordable housing options need to be located closer to employment centers to curtail commuting time and alleviate traffic.
The workshop integrated participants from 50 public and private sector organizations which included consultants, global experts, engineers, property developers and even senior officials and head of various government departments.
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