RTA charts a comprehensive traffic management plan

In preparation for celebrations of the New Year (2017), the Roads and Transport Authority has mapped out a comprehensive plan for the traffic movement and mass transit systems on Saturday, 31st December 2016. The plan focused on serving the needs of the public and road users through offering services ensuring the use public or private transit means in a safe and smooth manner.

The RTA has devised the operational plan necessary for serving commuters on the eve of the New Year, which normally experiences traffic congestion. The plan covers Burj Khalifa district where massive numbers of signboards are being installed to direct traffic from and to the area. Traffic is guided to multiple directions including Oud Metha Road, Al Asayel Road, Zabeel bridges, Al Saada Road, and internal roads at the Business Bay area to access Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road in order to ease the pressure on the Financial Center Road. To ensure a smooth traffic flow, light signals on the Financial Center Road and Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard would be monitored and controlled to ensure the maximum possible traffic flow at peak hours.

RTA will provide about 17,000 car parks at Emaar District comprising parking lots of Dubai Mall and the surrounds, and 5,000 parking slots outside the events area. The public can avail of these parking spaces to go to the events area using shuttle buses moving on dedicated routes. The breakdown of these alternative parking are: (2000) car parks at Al Wasl Club, (1500) parks EID Prayers Musalla (Mankhool) at Trade Center, 500 car parks at the Department of Residency & Foreigners Affairs (Jafiliya), and 1000 car parks at Zabeel Park.

RTA will provide directional signage leading to alternative car parks, and others on internal roads at the Business Bay to access Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road in order to ease the pressure on the Financial Center Road.

160 buses will be operated to feed the metro lines and alternative parking areas over and above the existing routes.

Bus routes are expected to serve about 60,000 riders during the events day.

As for metro services, on Saturday 31st December 2016, the metro ridership is anticipated to hit 900,000 riders, and on Sunday, 1st January 2017 it could come down to 480,000 riders. The service frequency will range from 2.38 minutes to 8 minutes.