Dubai is facing increased traffic congestion due to a rise in the number of vehicles on the roads. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has identified the main reasons behind the traffic surge and is working on several solutions to ease congestion.
The number of vehicles in Dubai has grown by 10% over the past two years, much higher than the global average of 2 to 4%. As a result, traffic in the city has become a major concern. In response, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail Al Mazrouei suggested stricter car ownership rules during a Federal National Council meeting in March 2023.
Main Reasons for Traffic Problems
- Increase in Vehicle Ownership: By 2024, there were 2.5 million registered vehicles in Dubai, which make up half of all the vehicles in the UAE.
- Daytime Traffic Volume: During the day, around 3.5 million vehicles are on Dubai’s roads, which significantly contributes to congestion.
- Growing Population: Dubai’s population is growing rapidly, at more than 6% each year. This is much higher than the global average of 1.1%. By 2040, the city’s daytime population is expected to reach 8 million.
- Different Driving Behaviors: Due to Dubai’s diverse population, there are varying driving habits, poor trip planning, and limited awareness of busy travel times, all of which add to traffic.
Plans to Improve Traffic Flow
The RTA has outlined a range of solutions to help reduce congestion:
- Dynamic Toll and Parking Fees: These new measures introduced this year have already reduced traffic by 9% and increased public transport use by 4%.
- Infrastructure Projects: The RTA plans to complete over 30 major projects by 2027, including the Dubai Metro Blue Line. This will help reduce traffic in certain areas by up to 20%.
- Flexible Working Hours and Remote Work: The RTA is encouraging both public and private sectors to adopt flexible working hours and remote work. These measures can reduce traffic by up to 30%.
- Truck Movement Restrictions: New restrictions on heavy vehicles, particularly on Emirates Road, are aimed at reducing congestion.
- School Zone Improvements: By improving roads around schools, the RTA has already reduced traffic near 37 schools by 20%.
- Dedicated Bus Lanes: Between 2025 and 2027, new bus lanes will be created on six key roads, cutting travel times by up to 60% on some routes.
New Road Projects for the Future
To support a growing population, the RTA is working on several road enhancements, including:
- Umm Suqeim-Al Qudra Corridor: This 16km stretch will reduce travel time from 46 minutes to just 11 minutes.
- Hessa Street: With 60% of the work already completed, travel time will drop from 30 minutes to just 7 minutes.
- Al Fay Street: This corridor will increase road capacity, allowing for 64,400 vehicles per hour, helping to manage the city’s growing traffic demand.
With these solutions, the RTA aims to improve traffic flow in Dubai by 20 to 30%, making the city’s roads more efficient and manageable for residents and visitors.
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