In Dubai, accident road sites will be cleared within 12 minutes with the implementation of a new accident management system, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on Tuesday.
The RTA in cooperation with Dubai police are working on a specialized traffic management project that will cut down accident related delays by 25 per cent on Dubai highways.
According to RTA, accidents in Dubai cost the emirate’s economy Dh1.8 billion annually, with more than 50 per cent of the traffic jams being triggered by road mishaps.
Overall, Dubai loses Dh3.5 billion annually in traffic congestions, including those caused by accidents.
In 2015, RTA and Dubai Police set up three accident management units and the new system is the continuation of the joint initiative.
Stepping up the traffic management efforts, the top management of both the RTA and Dubai Police met recently discussing the ways to tackle the issue that costs Dubai’s economy dearly.
“The meeting focused on the management of traffic movement in Dubai with the aim of reducing the time taken in managing traffic accidents and reinstating traffic back to normal in the shortest time possible,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Director General of the RTA.
He added that the RTA has a scheme to provide the logistical support needed by the Police during the management of traffic accidents involving the provision of alternative roads, diversions and other measures.
“When implemented, the project is expected to reduce snarls and the associated expenses by 25 per cent. It will ensure the arrival and clearance of the accident scene within 12 minutes, slash the time taken to clear crashed vehicles, detect accidents ensure rapid deployment before congestion builds up or the occurrence of secondary accidents. The scheme also includes delivering assistance to motorists experiencing vehicle breakdown by removing them from traffic lanes and coordinating their immediate clearance,” he said.
At 51 per cent, the contribution of accidents to Dubai’s annual loss due to congestions is one of the highest in the world in Dubai, compared to the average of 25 per cent in countries where advanced traffic system is in place.
The new accident management system is Dubai’s attempt to be on par with the leading cities in the world employing advance mechanisms that will not only reduce the impact of accidents on traffic, but will device ways to help reduce accidents.
According to RTA, Dubai’s road network doubled between 2006 and 2017 but the number of vehicles also more than doubled during same period from 740,000 to 1.7 million.
The increase in vehicles reflected in the escalation of accidents by 16 per cent period between 2011 and 2013.
With traffic to and from Sharjah being a major source of congestion on Dubai roads, particularly in areas bordering Sharjah, the authorities are working on solutions to ease bottlenecks in Al Mizhar, Al Khawaneej, Oud Al Mateena and Al Muhaisna.
Al Tayer, hopes that the new management system along with the new road expansion projects linking Dubai and the northern emirates will help ease congestion.
Currently work is going on in the sector on Airport Road and Tripoli Road, which combined are expected to divert traffic from Mohammad Bin Zayed Road to Emirates Road.
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