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Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) unveiled a AED 16 bn plan for 2024-2027, targeting smoother commutes and for over 6 mn residents with 22 new projects, according to a statement. The goal? To enhance the emirate’s road network, integrating AI to boost traffic flow and reduce travel times.
The strategy: The Main Roads Development Plan will focus on large-scale expansions, adding new roads, bridges, and tunnels to boost connectivity and ease travel throughout the city. Key projects include:
- An upgrade to Latifa bint Hamdan Street, set to begin next year, to accommodate an additional 16k vehicles per hour and cut travel times by 15-20%;
- An expansion of Meydan Road, adding capacity for 22k vehicles per hour in both directions, to reduce travel time between Umm Suqeim Street to the extension of Meydan Street to four minutes;
- Reconfiguring the Trade Center Roundabout into a surface-level intersection with five new bridges, reducing wait times from 12 minutes to 90 seconds;
- Increasing road capacity on Umm Suqeim and Al Qudra Street to 12.6k vehicles per hour, up from 8.4k vehicles currently, cutting travel time from 46 to 11 minutes;
- Expanding capacity on Al Fay Street to 64.4k vehicles per hour, and on Al Safa Street to 9.4k vehicles per hour, reducing travel time to just two minutes.
The RTA has its sights on public transit too, with six new dedicated bus and taxi lanes coming by 2026, projected to cut bus travel time by 41%. A new electric trackless tram system is also in the works at eight locations, set to be capable of carrying 300 passengers up to 100 km on a single charge at speeds reaching 70 km/h.
The authority also plans to expand cycling tracks, aiming to better connect coastal areas such as Jumeirah and Marina with routes in Al Qudra, Saih Al Salam, and Nad Al Sheba.
The RTA is also launching new platforms, including…
- The commercial transport platform Logisty will offer business clients digital fleet management services, including on-demand booking and tracking, vehicle and driver verification, and a reliable registration database;
- The Green Road safety system will issue real-time traffic breach alerts for nearly 1.4k public transport buses, boosting safety by 54% and reducing traffic infractions by 47%.
