The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has taken preventive measures to step up the level of traffic safety at signalised junctions along the tramway which lead to overlapping tram-vehicular traffic. These preventive measures include blocking some leftward turns and U-turns at some junctions where the vehicular traffic flow runs parallel to the tram movement and in the same direction.
Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said: "Complying with the security and safety procedures is one of the core values to which the RTA is firmly committed. The RTA has recently conducted a comprehensive study through a specialist international consultancy firm to assess the current situation as regards the overlapping tram and vehicular traffic at six junctions at the Marina and the JBR.' "Based on the findings of the study, the RTA has endorsed the blocking of leftward turns and U-turns in five junctions. The first is at the junction of Al Sayoorah Street with the Marina Street where the U-turn will be blocked at Al Sayoorah Street and the intersection of Al Safouh Street with Al Sayoorah Street, besides blocking the leftward turn from Al Safouh Street to Al Sayoorah Street East, and the U-turn of vehicles outbound from Al Safouh Street North. The third is at the junction of Al Safouh Street with Al Gharbi Street where the leftward turn will be blocked for vehicles outbound from Al Safouh Street North heading towards Al Ghabri Street East, and blocking the U-turn for vehicles outbound from Al Safouh Street North. The fourth is at the junction of the Marina Street and Al Sharta Street where the leftward turn will be blocked for vehicles outbound from the Marina Street West heading towards Al Sharta Street North and blocking the leftward turn for vehicles outbound from the Marina Street East heading towards Al Sharta Street South. The fifth is the junction of the Marina Street with Al Safouh Street where the leftward turn will be blocked from the Marina Street to Al Safouh Street South.
"The RTA confirmed that alternative options will be in place other than the prohibited traffic movements. These include the use of nearby junctions and turns slots leading to the intended destination. Vehicles impacted by these closures are limited in number and the average increase in the trip time for these vehicles does not exceed 10 minutes during peak time, but outside the peak time the impact will be fairly limited," explained Al Tayer.
Al Tayer commended the huge efforts of the General HQ of the Dubai Police to ensure streamlined traffic flow and step up safety system and pedestrian movement along the tramway in Dubai, besides managing the overlapping vehicular-tram movement especially at signalised junctions.
Al Tayer called on road users, including motorists and pedestrians, to abide by the driving and traffic rules, and stick to the specified speed limit, especially in roads parallel to the tramway