Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has rolled out a series of smart mobility measures, including dynamic tolls and parking fees, aimed at improving traffic flow efficiency by up to 30% across the city.
Since the introduction of dynamic toll pricing on Sheikh Zayed Road in January, traffic volumes have dropped by 9%, the RTA confirmed during a high-level workshop held Wednesday. The toll now varies between Dh6 during peak hours and Dh4 during off-peak periods. Complementing this, new parking tariffs introduced in April price premium spots at Dh6 per hour during peak times.
These initiatives form part of Dubai’s broader plan to address rising congestion tied to rapid urban expansion, which has seen the city’s population grow at over 6% annually—well above the global average. Daytime population is projected to hit 8 million by 2040, with more than 2.5 million vehicles already registered in the emirate.
The ‘Connecting Bridges’ workshop, attended by Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, focused on long-term strategies including flexible working hours, remote work, heavy vehicle restrictions, and intelligent transport systems.
RTA Director-General Mattar Al Tayer emphasized that traffic challenges also stem from diverse driving behaviours, limited trip planning, and a lack of awareness around peak travel periods.
Despite the mounting pressure, Dubai still outperforms major global cities such as London and Singapore in average commute times. Looking ahead, the RTA will invest over Dh40 billion in more than 30 infrastructure projects over the next three years, including the new Metro Blue Line serving nine key districts.
Stakeholders also highlighted the need for affordable housing near business hubs to shorten commutes and ease traffic burdens.
News Source: Khaleej Times
