Abu Dhabi wins TomTom award for world’s best traffic infrastructure

Capital ranked one of the world’s best based on measured traffic congestion levels

The millions of dirhams poured into improving Abu Dhabi’s traffic infrastructure has resulted in better roads and public transport systems, and earned the emirate international recognition.

Abu Dhabi placed first in the infrastructure category of the annual TomTom Traffic Index Awards.

“Abu Dhabi has proven that a highly planned road system that maximises labour mobility and goods movement can bring efficiency and reduce congestion,” judge Wendell Cox, a US transport analyst, said in his summary.

“In fact, the city has one of the best TomTom Traffic Index congestion levels of any city with a population of more than 1 million.”

The TomTom Traffic Index measures congestion levels in 390 cities in 48 countries using live data from smartphones, Apple Maps, Uber, personal navigation devices, car navigation systems and as data from the emirate’s 520 public buses and 7,000-plus taxis.

With a congestion index of 14, Abu Dhabi tied with Katowice, Poland for having the best traffic index of any city outside of the United States of more than 1 million people, according to TomTom.

The measurement indicates that it would take a driver, on average, 14 per cent longer to reach his or her destination during peak commuting times compared with off-peak times.

“It is among the lowest in the world,” said Ralf-Peter Schafer, TomTom’s vice president of traf-

It’s not just a matter of infrastructure, you have to put in place a plan as to how to operate it in a proper way SALAH AL MARZOUQI Abu Dhabi’s director of the integrated intelligent transport system

fic and travel information who presented the award to officials from the Department of Municipal Affairs and Transport.

“Congestion levels are growing everywhere in the world and it is really a pleasure to see in the city of Abu Dhabi that they are doing a very good job of managing traffic very well.”

In contrast, Mexico City took the unenviable No1 spot for most congested city in the world, with drivers requiring 66 per cent extra time to reach their destinations during peak periods.

Officials from the Department of Municipal Affairs and Transport credited recent roads and public transport investments for the positive outcome.

“Winning this highly coveted international award, which commands great international attention from the bodies concerned with infrastructure and traffic development around the world, is indicative of the great progress made by the emirate of Abu Dhabi,” said Awaidha Al Marar, the department’s chairman.

Mr Al Marar said that progress in infrastructure included roads and transport networks and use of smart transport technology.”

He said Dh581 million had been invested to improve transport systems, traffic management and traffic signals control in the emirate.

The Department of Municipal Affairs and Transport is carrying out projects worth Dh909m to improve its traffic and transport management, he said.

Salah Al Marzouqi, the department’s director of the integrated intelligent transportation system, said technology played a significant role in running traffic more efficiently and effectively.

The central traffic control centre launched in 2014 to handle roads, as well as recently installed road sensors, traffic cameras, automated smart traffic signals and electronic signs all work in sync to keep traffic flowing smoothly, he said.

“That changed the whole system of traffic management in the city of Abu Dhabi,” Mr Al Marzouqi said of the control centre and accompanying high-tech monitoring systems. “It’s not just a matter of infrastructure, you have to put in place a plan as to how to operate it in a proper way.”

Live data of the emirate’s traffic posted on TomTom’s website show that its low congestion index is slowly creeping up. It has risen from 14 to 20 per cent this year, probably because of increased population, officials said.

“We have to always keep improving, enhancing the system, enhancing the infrastructure,” Mr Al Marzouqi said.