How Dubai’s Dhs16bn mega road development plan will ease traffic

Image courtesy: WAM

In a recent review of the Roads and Transport Authority’s (RTA) transformative projects, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, explored new initiatives to elevate Dubai’s urban mobility and transport infrastructure.

At the forefront is the Dhs16bn Main Roads Development Plan for 2024-2027 includes 22 strategic projects across Dubai’s road network.

The development plan aims to support Dubai’s expanding population, benefiting over six million residents and strengthening connectivity across the emirate.

Key projects include the Latifa bint Hamdan Street and Meydan Road developments, which will boost road capacity and significantly reduce travel times across key areas.

RTA’s enhancements to public transit also reflect Dubai’s commitment to technology-driven solutions.

The city’s road network, which has expanded from 8,715 lane-kilometres in 2006 to 18,990 lane-kilometres, now facilitates 2.2 million daily public transport riders.

AI-powered traffic management systems, autonomous transport initiatives, and a trackless tram study promise to advance Dubai’s Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy by 2030.

Sheikh Hamdan reviewed RTA’s expansion of cycling tracks, which now span 557 kilometres and accommodate millions of trips annually.

The city’s vision includes connecting coastal and urban cycling networks to key areas, encouraging sustainable mobility options. RTA’s Smart Cycling Tracks Scanning Initiative, using AI for predictive maintenance, underscores Dubai’s commitment to safety and sustainability.

Plans to enhance Dubai’s cycling infrastructure align with RTA’s extensive autonomous transport initiatives. An AI-driven ‘Green Road’ system monitors bus driver behaviour to improve safety and reduce violations.

Additionally, dedicated bus lanes, set to extend by 13 kilometres, will support electric-powered, self-driving buses, cutting travel times and encouraging public transport use.

The RTA’s Logisty Platform was also unveiled as part of a drive to modernise commercial transport. Designed in collaboration with the private sector, this digital platform streamlines vehicle fleet management and booking, reinforcing Dubai’s logistics and transport strategy.

Sheikh Hamdan emphasised the role of advanced technology in RTA’s future projects, including AI, IoT, and big data, and praised RTA’s initiatives in training Emirati talent. RTA-sponsored academic scholarships and specialised training programmes aim to build expertise in AI, cybersecurity, and data management, empowering Dubai’s next generation of innovators to lead in transport technology.

During my visit to @rta_dubai’s headquarters, I reviewed its AED16 billion Main Roads Development Plan 2024-2027, featuring 22 major projects. I also reviewed the progress of RTA’s initiatives in public and shared transportation, designed to boost service quality and efficiency… pic.twitter.com/dCX3Tj0XMh

— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) November 3, 2024

Impact of the Main Roads Development Plan and other projects

• Dubai’s road network has expanded from 8,715 lane-kilometres to 18,990 lane-kilometres.
• The number of lanes across Dubai Creek rose from 16 to 61, a 281 per cent increase, while vehicle bridges and tunnels grew from 129 to 1,070.
• Pedestrian bridges and tunnels have increased from 26 to 129, encompassing Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram bridges and tunnels.
• The number of vehicles in Dubai during daytime hours has reached 3.5 million, with a 10 per cent increase in registered vehicles over the past two years, compared to a global average of 2 to 4 per cent.
• The Latifa bint Hamdan Street development, set to commence next year,  covers 12,200 metres from its intersection with Al Khail Road to Emirates Road, encompassing 8,100 metres of bridges. Serving over a million residents, the project will add capacity for approximately 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions and reduce travel time by 15–20 per cent.
• The Meydan Road development project involves 10,600 metres of roads, 3,300 metres of bridges, and three tunnels totalling 1,500 metres. It is expected to add capacity for 22,000 vehicles per hour in both directions and reduce travel time from Umm Suqeim Street to the extension of Meydan Street to just four minutes.
• Al Mustaqbal Street and Trade Centre Roundabout project includes the construction of bridges and tunnels totalling 6,200 metres, which will increase road capacity from 9,000 to 12,000 vehicles per hour, a 30 per cent increase. It will also reduce travel time from eight minutes to three minutes and 30 seconds.
• The Umm Suqeim and Al Qudra Streets development project entails a 16,000-metre stretch from the Jumeirah Street intersection to Emirates Road. Four intersections, including 2,500 metres of bridges and 2,000 metres of tunnels will be developed. As a result, road capacity will increase from 8,400 to 12,600 vehicles per hour and reduce travel time from 46 minutes to just 11 minutes.
• Al Fay Street Development Project extending from Al Khail Road at its intersection with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, includes 12,900 metres of road construction and the development of five intersections, with 13,500 metres of bridges. This will provide additional capacity for approximately 64,400 vehicles per hour.
• Al Safa Street development project, which stretches from Sheikh Zayed Road to Al Wasl Road, includes the construction of 2,100 metres of tunnels, including a two-lane tunnel providing direct access from Al Safa Street to the City Walk project, as well as 650 metres of bridges. The upgrades will increase the street’s capacity from 6,800 to 9,400 vehicles per hour and reduce travel time from 20 minutes to just two minutes.
• RTA plans to expand the Dubai Tram network with a study on deploying trackless tram systems at eight locations across Dubai. This advanced, self-driving tram system operates on virtual tracks, using camera-guided painted lines on dedicated lanes. Each tram has three carriages with a capacity of 300 passengers, a top speed of 70 kilometres per hour and an operational speed of 25 to 60 kilometres per hour. A single charge allows the tram to travel up to 100 kilometres.
• RTA plans to extend dedicated bus and taxi lanes in 2025 and 2026. This extension will add six routes covering 13 kilometres, bringing the total length of dedicated lanes to 20 kilometres. These lanes are projected to increase ridership by 10 per cent, improve bus arrival rates by 42 per cent and reduce bus travel time by 41 per cent.
• The lanes are also designed to support Dubai’s Self-Driving Transport Strategy 2030, with expected economic benefits estimated at Dhs2.3bn over 10 years. These lanes will support autonomous, electric-powered buses.

Read: RTA awards Dhs696m contract to develop Trade Centre roundabout