Latest news with #trafficflow
Arabian Business
a day ago
- Business
- Arabian Business
Dubai slashes travel time on major road from 12 to 3 minutes with new tunnels and bridges
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched the Al Safa Street Improvement Project, a major infrastructure upgrade aimed at cutting travel time, enhancing traffic flow, and supporting the Emirate's rapid urban development. The project, extending 1.5km from the junction of Al Safa Street with Sheikh Zayed Road to Al Wasl Street, is designed to accommodate population growth and elevate quality of life across key districts. Once complete, the travel time on Al Safa Street will drop from 12 minutes to just 3 minutes, while road capacity will double from 6,000 to 12,000 vehicles per hour in both directions. New bridges and tunnels in Dubai The project includes the construction of two bridges and two tunnels, with a total length of 3.12km: Bridge 1: Four lanes, 1,005 metres, for traffic from Al Wasl Street to Sheikh Zayed Road and Financial Centre Street. Capacity with an estimated capacity of 6,400 vehicles/hour Bridge 2: Two lanes, 360 metres, for traffic from Al Satwa Road. Capacity with an estimated capacity of 2,800 vehicles/hour Tunnel 1: Two lanes, 1,005 metres, for traffic from Sheikh Zayed Road towards Al Wasl Street. Capacity with an estimated capacity of 3,200 vehicles/hour Tunnel 2: Two lanes in each direction, 750 metres, at Al Wasl and Al Safa junction. Capacity with an estimated capacity of 6,400 vehicles/hour The road itself will be widened from three to four lanes in each direction, with two free-flowing and two signal-controlled lanes. In addition to easing congestion, the RTA plans to improve pedestrian walkways, introduce cycling tracks, and create landscaped public spaces to enhance community interaction and visual appeal. The project also includes upgrades to lighting, signage, drainage, and utilities. Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, said: 'Al Safa Street Improvement Project is part of RTA's master plan to enhance the road network in the area, which also includes the development of Umm Suqeim and Al Wasl Streets. 'The project serves a vital district, renowned for hosting numerous tourism, cultural, and sporting events, and is home to key landmarks such as City Walk, Coca-Cola Arena, educational institutions, residential and commercial areas, luxury hotels, and high-end restaurants. 'It also enhances connectivity with Downtown Dubai and nearby developments along Financial Centre Street, an area inhabited by over one million residents.' Dubai traffic plan The Al Safa upgrade is part of a wider master plan that also includes: Al Wasl Street development Covers 15km from Umm Suqeim Street to 2nd December Street Involves six intersections, five new tunnels (total 3.85km), and road widening to three lanes per direction Travel time cut by 50 per cent, capacity increased to 12,000 vehicles/hour Umm Suqeim Street Development Spans 6km, linking Jumeirah Street to Al Khail Road Includes six intersection upgrades, four bridges, and three tunnels (total 4.1km) Travel time reduced from 20 minutes to 6 minutes, road capacity up to 16,000 vehicles/hour Once completed, these developments will improve connectivity across Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and Emirates Road, boosting Dubai's overall mobility and economic competitiveness. #RTA announced Al Safa Street Improvement Project, extending from the junction of Al Safa Street with Sheikh Zayed Road to the junction with Al Wasl Street, spanning 1,500 metres. It involves the construction of two bridges and two tunnels with a combined length of 3,120 metres,… — RTA (@rta_dubai) June 29, 2025
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Smart loading zones help cities take back the curb
This story was originally published on Smart Cities Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Smart Cities Dive newsletter. As competition for curb space grows, technologies like IoT devices are making it possible for cities to implement smart loading zones. Studies show they're contributing to smoother traffic flow and improved safety. Typically coordinated through an app that drivers — often delivery or ride share drivers — can use to reserve a specific curb space for a set period, smart loading zones require thorough planning, open communication and coordination between city officials and legislators to address any regulatory changes needed. Using funding from a grant, Pittsburgh launched a smart loading zone program in 2021 that has grown from 20 to 75 locations, said David G. Onorato, executive director of the Pittsburgh Public Parking Authority. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that strategically placing smart loading zones throughout Pittsburgh could boost traffic speed by as much as 4.5% in select areas. The city also reports that average parking duration has dropped by 60 percent. In addition, Pittsburgh recorded a 95% reduction in double parking instances, according to Automotus, a provider of curb management solutions that partnered with the city to implement smart loading zones. 'We can assume the decreases in double parking and dwell time reductions in loading zones lead to safer transportation outcomes, and therefore reductions in crashes,' said Robert Ferrin, mobility and parking senior project manager with Kimley-Horn, an engineering, planning and design consultancy. Sean Qian, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Carnegie Mellon who studied Pittsburgh's smart loading zone program, said in an email that results often vary from one smart loading zone program to another. In part, a program's effectiveness depends on how policies are executed and communicated to residents and local businesses, he added. Before city leaders invest in any technology, they need to understand why they need smart loading zones in the first place, Ferrin said. This requires working with business owners and possibly fleet drivers, especially if they'll share telematic information, to determine when and where demand for loading zones is greatest, he said. Program organizers should establish performance metrics, track progress against them and openly communicate outcomes with stakeholders to determine features like time limits or pricing, Quinn said. How revenue generated by the program will be used should also be transparently communicated, he added. Enforcement is also key, Onorato said. Until about a year ago, Pittsburgh's smart loading zone program regulations required workers to physically place notices of parking violations on each car's windshield. Given the volume of violations and the generally short periods of time in which they occurred, it was difficult for them to reach many cars, Onorato said. Onorato and his team worked with state and city officials for several years to shift to automated enforcement. Now, cameras capture vehicles that are parking past their reserved time slots or making other violations. and the agency mails a picture of the vehicle with a fine notice. This is challenging for cities that still require a person to issue a parking ticket at the time of a violation, Ferrin said. Without some type of automated enforcement, it can be impossible to gain comprehensive compliance within smart loading zones, he added. Communication about everything from installing cameras to enforcing new regulations is critical to gaining stakeholders' support. Drivers need to be made aware of proposed changes, such as hours of enforcement and pricing, said Lisa Nisenson, vice president of new mobility and connected communities with engineering and design firm WGI. 'Even if operations occur via mobile apps, signage is vital,' she added. When automated parking enforcement is proposed, some businesses or residents may assume the goal is to generate more parking tickets and revenue rather than safety and efficiency, Ferrin says. The industry needs to do a better job of connecting smart loading zones to the broader objective of safety to facilitate any legislative changes that might be needed, he added. Recommended Reading NYC launches 'microhub' pilot to reduce truck delivery congestion, pollution Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Big yellow box junction in Maghera set to be reviewed
An extra-large yellow box junction which stunned people in Maghera could be reduced in size. A review of the scale of the yellow markings at a junction in the County Londonderry town is to take place. Maghera, with its population of fewer than 5,000 people, has been dubbed "the small town with the big yellow box", since the road paint appeared a week ago. It stretches more than 40m along a busy junction frequently used by buses and lorries as well as cars. In a statement to BBC News NI, the Department for Infrastructure confirmed that officials intend to look again at the size of the yellow box. A spokesperson said: "The department implemented the yellow box markings at this location to assist with the ease of Translink bus movements to and from the main bus stop, which has recently been relocated to the opposite side of St Lurach's Road. "The extent of the markings will be reviewed prior to full completion of the Maghera Public Realm Scheme." The scheme, which began last year, is expected to be completed next month. As well as installing new street furniture and widening footpaths, the project has tried to tackle traffic flow issues. Last week, Melissa Caskey, who works in an office which overlooks the new yellow box, called it "ridiculous" and appealed for it to be reduced in size. Barney Regan, who runs a bar nearby, said he hoped it might become a tourist attraction. While there has been criticism of the size of the yellow box, there is a general recognition in the town that traffic flow needs to be improved. Is this the biggest yellow box junction in the UK or Ireland?
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Big yellow box junction in Maghera set to be reviewed
An extra-large yellow box junction which stunned people in Maghera could be reduced in size.A review of the scale of the yellow markings at a junction in the County Londonderry town is to take with its population of fewer than 5,000 people, has been dubbed "the small town with the big yellow box", since the road paint appeared a week stretches more than 40m along a busy junction frequently used by buses and lorries as well as cars. Tackling traffic flow issues In a statement to BBC News NI, the Department for Infrastructure confirmed that officials intend to look again at the size of the yellow box.A spokesperson said: "The department implemented the yellow box markings at this location to assist with the ease of Translink bus movements to and from the main bus stop, which has recently been relocated to the opposite side of St Lurach's Road."The extent of the markings will be reviewed prior to full completion of the Maghera Public Realm Scheme."The scheme, which began last year, is expected to be completed next well as installing new street furniture and widening footpaths, the project has tried to tackle traffic flow issues. Last week, Melissa Caskey, who works in an office which overlooks the new yellow box, called it "ridiculous" and appealed for it to be reduced in Regan, who runs a bar nearby, said he hoped it might become a tourist there has been criticism of the size of the yellow box, there is a general recognition in the town that traffic flow needs to be improved.
UAE Moments
22-06-2025
- Automotive
- UAE Moments
RTA Announces 5-Month Traffic Reroute Near Arabian Ranches
Big changes are coming to Dubai roads—especially if you drive near Arabian Ranches. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a major traffic diversion at the Arabian Ranches–Dubai Studio City junction starting June 22, and it's expected to last for five months. This move is part of ongoing construction work to build a bridge and improve traffic flow along Al Qudra Road, a key link between multiple fast-growing residential and business areas. What's changing? One major update: the traffic light at the intersection between Arabian Ranches and Dubai Studio City will be removed. Instead, vehicles will be rerouted outside the intersection zone, enabling a free flow of traffic between Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street. To keep things moving, the RTA is also rolling out two new signal-free U-turn points, which should help reduce congestion and streamline commuting patterns in the area. Plan ahead If you live in or commute through the Arabian Ranches, Dubai Studio City, or Al Qudra Road area, the RTA is advising you to plan your journeys in advance, allow for extra travel time, and follow signage throughout the diversion period. Whether you're heading to work, school, or that weekend brunch, expect detours—and maybe a few delays. But the goal? Smoother drives in the near future. As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance traffic flow in #Dubai and improve intersections on Al Qudra Road, #RTA will implement a temporary traffic diversion at the Arabian Ranches junction starting 22 June 2025, for 5 months to implement bridge construction works. To ensure a… — RTA (@rta_dubai)
