In the consequence of traffic management, Dubai has publicized another change. The RTA has announced two new Salik toll gates outlined to be in operation by November 2024. All these new installations are part of a broader futuristic strategy to improve the traffic flow and ease vehicle mobility in the city.
Introduction of New Salik Toll Gates
Salik, Dubai’s automated toll collection system, will expand its list of gates from eight to ten with the addition to two new locations. It is envisioned that these would be placed at the Business Bay Crossing along Al Khail Road and Al Safa South on Sheikh Zayed Road.
Strategic Locations and Expected Benefits
Business Bay Crossing on Al Khail Road
The first new gate would be at the Business Bay Crossing on Al Khail Road. This location was decided upon after the RTA had conducted some rather aggressive traffic studies in this area, resulting in evidence that it suffers from considerable traffic congestion. One of the main reasons for introducing a toll gate here is to
1. Reduce Traffic Congestion: The new gate will cut 12 to 15 percent of the traffic congestion on Al Khail Road. This would ensure a smoother flow of traffic and lesser travel time for commuters.
2. Re-distribute Traffic: This new toll is expected to redistribute the traffic, with part diverted to substitute routes, as Al Maktoum and Al Garhoud bridges are, together with Ras Al Khor Street. All of this redistribution activity will help in balancing out the loads within this network.
3. Surface Intersections Improvement: The project works at surface intersections will be improved along First Al Khail Road with Al Meydan and Al Zumurrud Streets to ensure better traffic flow.
Al Safa South on Sheikh Zayed Road
The second new toll gate to be erected will be at Al Safa South on Sheikh Zayed Road, between Al Meydan Street and Umm Al Sheif Street. The benefits associated with this new gate are:
1. Reducing Right-Turn Traffic: This will cut down the percentage of right-turn traffic from Sheikh Zayed Road to Meydan Street by 15 percent, hence reducing congestion along this vital route.
2. Improved Flow of Traffic: It will further facilitate the smooth flow of traffic along nearby streets, including Financial Centre, First Al Khail, and Al Asayel streets, all forming important arteries for travel around the city.
Impact on Traffic and Travel Times
With these two toll gates, the conditions of the traffic in Dubai are expected to show a very positive improvement. According to RTA, this move towards the introduction of those gates will:
1. Travel Time Reduction: The new Al Safa South Gate on Sheikh Zayed Road will reduce the volume of traffic by up to 42 percent in certain areas, therefore probably trimming minutes off the travel time of a good portion of its users.
2. Alternative Transport: By imposing these tolls, RTA expects that more and more people will either use the metro, buses, or sea travel to get to work, which in itself will reduce congestion on the roads.
Financial Implications and Toll Fees
Every time a vehicle passes through any Salik toll gate, AED 4 is automatically deducted from the motorist’s prepaid account. The new gates will also charge in accord with this pricing. According to RTA and Salik, all money to be collected through these tolls will at all times be used in the maintenance and upgrading of the Dubai road network.
Effects on Current Toll Gates
These new gates would overexpand Dubai’s Salik network. This, in turn, could affect the usage of the existing gates. The RTA has planned that these extra gates will distribute the traffic more uniformly across the network and will share the load off from the current toll locations, and this will not only avoid congestion at those points but will also improve the traffic conditions of the city as a whole.
Technological Improvements
Salik’s tolling system is based on Radio Frequency Identification technology, providing seamless, smooth, and automatic toll collections. These new gates will also fit fine in the present system because Salik has been efficient and user-friendly since its inception. The motorists still get a frictionless tolling experience while the system scans their Salik sticker tags automatically.
Future Developments And Urban Planning
The opening of these toll gates supports Dubai’s greater goals concerning urban planning, particularly those outlined by the Dubai Urban Plan 2040. It is a program aimed at developing a sustainable and efficient urban environment whereby the new Salik gates turn into an integral part of that vision through effective management of traffic and facilitation of growth in transport-related aspects within the city.
Reaction and Adjustment of People
Any infrastructure change of this magnitude shall call for adjustment on the part of motorists and the public. RTA reiterated that the new gates are part of an integrated strategy aimed at boosting Dubai’s transport infrastructure, and the interaction from the public will be critical in tuning their effect. Motorists are advised to plan their routes long in advance as the new tolling arrangement takes effect. Two new Salik toll gates in Dubai bring the city one step closer to the control over traffic congestion and improvement of its road network. These new gates, located at high-traffic junctures along Al Khail and Sheikh Zayed Roads, could very well reduce congestion and improve flow for attainment of broader goals regarding urban planning in Dubai. It is in the backdrop of continuous growth in Dubai that these innovations have become imperative to ensure that this city features at par with the rest in modern and efficient urban mobility
