Bus lanes, cycle zones part of $12bn traffic master plan

Posted by: savio crasto Tuesday, 25 November 2008 11:33 AM[UAE] - UAE

The BIGGEST causes of traffic congestion in Dubai (and Sharjah) are roads design and driver indiscipline. While it may not be possible to fix the already badly designed roads (such as the exit to Airport Expo in the fast lane on Airport Road - there are several more examples, but I'm sure readers will be aware of them already), it is possible to address driver indiscipline by posting 24x7 police presence at the 50 or 60 key traffic points in the city. By key points I mean the points where traffic bottlenecks exist because of known lane mergers or known busy lane exits and junctions. At these "key points", there needs to be 24x7 (Ok- so take out the graveyard shift) police presence. Haven't we all noticed how smoothly traffic flows when there's a cop policing the exits or the merging lanes or junctions? How errant drivers suddenly maintain lane discipline? How otherwise impatient drivers become full of patience and even, in some cases, show kindness to fellow drivers? The current strategy of the RTA to "catch" and "fine" errant drivers by using sophisticated cameras will NOT reduce traffic congestion or road fatalities although it will most certainly increase the RTA's revenues. Instead of spending on state-of-the-art speed cameras, the RTA can employ 100 more cops to ONLY monitor these "key points" on a two shift basis. It works now whenever these key points are monitored. All it needs is extended coverage to all the key points and voila, half your traffic problems will be solved.

Posted by: Paul Tuesday, 25 November 2008 10:45 AM[UAE] - UAE

Until Dubai can get drivers to obey the basic safety rules (like not overtaking on the left-hand shoulder of SZR at 160km/h), I expect it will have little chance to make buslanes work. Will a queue of cars wait patiently in a jam while the buslane right alongside is empty? In Dubai!? Dubai needs buslanes for sure - but with the appalling standards of driving I see little chance they can be made to work unless the police presence increases, CCTV is put on all major roads and violators are virtually guaranteed to be caught and strongly punished for dangerous and illegal acts.

Posted by: UK Tuesday, 25 November 2008 8:41 AM[UAE] - UAE

All these grand plans are fine. Immediately, I have a plan that can reduce congestion and is environment friendly too, if somebody can care for these. Make simpler rules for car pooling and have dedicated carpool lanes at least on roads like Emirates. 99% of the cars have only one occupant. There is huge, huge opportunity there.