Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Is there hope for Dubai's traffic problem?
Other than my occasional rant here at Gadling, we almost always talk about Dubai's mind-blowing developments. As much as I think that Dubai's growth, development, and all-round vision is extraordinary, I can't help but wonder: how, in this extended planning phase, authorities forgot to include the development of public transport.
Other than a poor bus system, the 2.2 million residents of Dubai depend on their cars and taxis to get from one point to another. The result? Dreadful and excruciating traffic jams at peak hours.
Dubai has already begun constructing a fully-automated under-and-above ground metro system (which at the moment has worsened the traffic situation because of the dug-up roads), but until then, their solution to the horrendous traffic problem is the addition of automatic toll gates (called Salik) on main roads across the city, that charge $1.10 (Dhs.4) every time you drive through them. This system started last year, and this month, phase two of the Salik system has begun. The hope is that this will reduce the traffic on certain roads at certain times, but this picture shows what is happening instead.*New addition: Seems like this is actually Moscow, not Dubai, as pointed out by nzm in the comments. Oops. However, this could totally be Dubai, as also pointed out by nzm.)
Yes, yikes.
Along with the increased cost of living in Dubai, Salik will certainly be pinching many pockets, however, the long term plan makes sense. The way the system works, you can be charged up to $6.5 (Dhs.24) a day passing through these gates. This way, the Dubai RTA plans to generate about $11 billion over a 3 year period, with which 500km of roads will be constructed, and traffic will flow freely again. I really, really hope so, especially because I might be moving back there soon.
[Thanks to BuJassem at UAE Community blog for the picture]
Other than a poor bus system, the 2.2 million residents of Dubai depend on their cars and taxis to get from one point to another. The result? Dreadful and excruciating traffic jams at peak hours.
Dubai has already begun constructing a fully-automated under-and-above ground metro system (which at the moment has worsened the traffic situation because of the dug-up roads), but until then, their solution to the horrendous traffic problem is the addition of automatic toll gates (called Salik) on main roads across the city, that charge $1.10 (Dhs.4) every time you drive through them. This system started last year, and this month, phase two of the Salik system has begun. The hope is that this will reduce the traffic on certain roads at certain times, but this picture shows what is happening instead.*New addition: Seems like this is actually Moscow, not Dubai, as pointed out by nzm in the comments. Oops. However, this could totally be Dubai, as also pointed out by nzm.)
Yes, yikes.
Along with the increased cost of living in Dubai, Salik will certainly be pinching many pockets, however, the long term plan makes sense. The way the system works, you can be charged up to $6.5 (Dhs.24) a day passing through these gates. This way, the Dubai RTA plans to generate about $11 billion over a 3 year period, with which 500km of roads will be constructed, and traffic will flow freely again. I really, really hope so, especially because I might be moving back there soon.
[Thanks to BuJassem at UAE Community blog for the picture]
Filed under: United Arab, Transportation, News, Middle East
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
nzm Sep 17th 2008 3:30PM
Hi Abha
I'm a UAE Community Blog member and I think that you'll find that BuJ "borrowed" that image for his post.
Apparently it's of a Moscow traffic jam a couple of years ago.
http://phototab.blogspot.com/2008/01/worst-traffic-jams-from-around-world.html
http://picasaweb.google.com/dolboeb/MosGorProbka#
http://www.englishrussia.com/?p=989
But it looks like it's something that could definitely happen in Dubai!
Salik is the worst name that they could have given to the gates as in Arabic, it means "clear". The Dubai roads have been anything but - especially since the introduction of the gates.
It's not only transportation that has a problem in Dubai - it's the whole infrastructure. There's also a sad lack of reliable power supply, water and telecommunications.
The Business Bay which you may know, had about 10 power substations planned for it. Only one has been built and the new buildings being readied for handover don't have regular power.
Good luck if you do move back there. We've moved out because of the insanity around just getting basic things done which take hours because of the traffic issues and the Dubai-way of doing things. We hope to move back one day if it all comes right - and only then!
cheers
nzm
Moody75 Sep 18th 2008 2:13PM
Hello NZM,
Good work uncovering the truth.
I wonder if Gadling will post a retraction/correction?