Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) held a coordinative meeting with Major General Khamis Mattar al Mazena, Deputy General Commander of Dubai Police, where the two parties discussed streamlining the movement of heavy vehicles and speed limits on Dubai roads.
At the outset of the meeting Mattar Al Tayer praised the ongoing fruitful cooperation between the RTA and Dubai Police; which yielded the launch of several joint awareness campaigns, and stepped up the level of coordination in traffic enforcement issues, in a clear demonstration of the strategic partnership between the two bodies.
“The existing timing of heavy vehicle prohibited movement on some roads runs at several intervals starting from 06.30 am up to 08.30 am, then from 01.00 pm to 03.00 pm, and from 05.30 pm to 08.00 pm'' said Al Tayer. He added: “RTA is currently undertaking a comprehensive study of traffic movement across the emirate of Dubai involving site surveys, interviews and workshops with the concerned departments and companies. RTA has also developed a model plan to forecast the projected movement of heavy vehicles, and conducted several studies to identify the need for rail lines to transport cargos, as well as dry ports and cargo assembly and distribution centers.''
Al Tayer went further to say: “The comprehensive study about trucks movement will provide a systematic framework to forecast trucks movement in future and assess the relevant policies and options, including prohibited timings and routes and the need for rail service or dedicated corridors for conveyance of cargos. The analytical results of trucks movement restriction on Emirates Road in particular resulted in improved traffic in case the prohibited timing runs from 06.00 am up to 10.00 pm. The findings concluded that such a ban will cut trucks movement by 9000 trucks per day or 700 trucks during peak hour. It will also divert more traffic to both Al Khail Road off the peak hours applicable on this road, and the Bypass Road. The trip time will also drop, despite the extended distance due to the higher average speed levels at Dubai Bypass Road compared to Emirates Road. This option will be reconsidered upon completion by the RTA of improvements underway at junctions and completion of the required roads linking Emirates Road with Dubai Bypass Road''.
Khamis Mattar Al Mazina called for providing bus lay-by areas interlinked with the routes of public transport such that truck drivers could park their trucks and use the public transport to go home or do a private business in the downtown area. He also highlighted the need, when specifying trucks prohibited movement timings, to avoid compromising the standing of Dubai as an important shipping and distribution center in the region, particularly with regard to transporting cargos from and to Dubai Ports. Al Mazina also called for streamlining trucks parking areas at the approaches of roads which are subjected to trucks movement restriction, and provision of some service units such as toilets and cafeterias to serve some meals.
Mattar Al Tayer said the study will take into consideration all comments made and the RTA will coordinate the final conclusions with Dubai Police.
RTA and Police to streamline truck movement in Dubai
RTA and Police to streamline truck movement in Dubai