‘Salik helped solve Dubai traffic woes’
dubai — Traffic in Dubai is heavy, especially during rush hour, but anyone who lived in the city before the introduction of Salik in 2007 will recount stories of long commutes on the emirate’s main artery Sheikh Zayed Road, a transport expert has said.
“Salik (Dubai’s automatic road toll collection system put in place in 2007) has clearly had a positive impact on traffic congestion by diverting traffic via alternate routes,” Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, organisers of Automechanika Dubai, told Khaleej Times.
Noting that the number of cars in Dubai has more than doubled in a decade, Pauwels added that the traffic improvement happened “in conjunction with other smart transport infrastructure initiatives; investment in public transport and the Dubai Metro in particular, but also improved roads infrastructure”.
“Abu Dhabi is introducing a similar smart transport system, and not just a road toll, to improve and reduce traffic congestion. This decision is based on research undertaken with international traffic management agencies.
“Based on that research, it is designed to ease traffic congestion in Abu Dhabi’s more heavily frequented thoroughfares,” added Pauwels, who has been driving on Dubai roads since the early 2000s.
Pakistani expat Assad Ali Khan, 32, who has been plying his taxi on the roads Dubai for more than three years, said Salik — which is paid by taxi passenger — is helpful in decongesting Dubai roads, especially during rush hours.
Another Dubai resident, Ben Pullen, co-founder and managing director of Global Electric Vehicle Road Trip, added: “Tolls act as a good way to reduce congestion by encouraging people to think again about where they are driving, and whether they need to drive at all.”
“If this (paid toll system) helps to encourage people to walk, cycle, catch the bus, or go with a friend then it’s a great shift in mobility habits. Furthermore, the funds raised through fees can then be reinvested into expanding on the public transport infrastructure, or to encourage the use of cleaner electric vehicles,” Pullen underlined.
Road safety expert Ian Littlefield, who is also the training and quality manager at Dubai Driving Centre, said he is “broadly supportive of toll system as part of a coherent road planning strategy”.
“There is an argument that people will be forced on to take roads with no tolls but Salik is only on primary routes and it has to be pointed out that there will be economic fallout on the city if there is excessive traffic congestion,” Littlefield noted.
Salik has clearly had a positive impact on traffic congestion by diverting traffic via alternate routes.” Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East
Tolls act as a good way to reduce congestion by encouraging people to think again about where they are driving.” Ben Pullen, co-founder of Global Electric Vehicle Road Trip
Salik is only on primary routes and there will be an economic fallout on the city if there is excessive traffic congestion.” Ian Littlefield, road safety expert
These funds can then be used to maintain the roads and to finance the further extension of the existing roads infrastructure.” Thomas Edelmann, founder and managing director of RoadSafetyUAE
Thomas Edelmann, founder and managing director of RoadSafetyUAE, shared the same view. He told Khaleej Times: “Road tolls in cities have to be seen in the context of traffic congestion. Traffic congestion is an inconvenience to road users, it incurs cost to the society and it increases the chances of misbehaviour of motorists, as we have a tendency to misbehave when we get cornered.
“The more one drives on roads, the more the road user pays road toll. These funds can then be used to maintain the roads and to finance the further extension of the existing roads infrastructure, resulting in a better and safer roads.”
Littlefield added that motorists can always go on board and understand the need for Salik if “they are shown data on how the money raised goes to improvement of infrastructure and in particular provision of safe and efficient commuter routes”.
“The good thing is Dubai is constantly expanding its road network and at pace with the city’s fast development by delivering public transport alternatives,” Littlefield said.
Meanwhile, Dubai resident and Bangladeshi expat Mohd Razaul Karim, managing director of Times Interior Design, said the new toll system (in Abu Dhabi) will add to higher cost of living but at the same time, it will help reduce traffic congestion as those who can do away with their private cars will opt to use public transport just to save some dirhams.”
angel@khaleejtimes.com