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Speed limit around Dubai Tram reduced to 60kmph

Studies done on tram impact; speed radars to be installed

Work in progress on the tramway project in Al Sufouh area of Dubai. — KT photo by Mukesh Kamal

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has reduced the maximum speed limit of Al Safouh Street (from the Intersection with Umm Suqeim Street up to JBR) from 80 to 60km per hour starting June 1 to ensure safety around Dubai Tram.

Engineer Maitha bin Udai, CEO of RTA Traffic and Roads Agency, said RTA’s decision to reduce the speed limit of Al Safouh Street, which is classified as an arterial street, was made following studies about the impacts of the Dubai Tram and to ensure a smooth and safe traffic flow in the area.

Bin Udai added that the decision of reducing the speed limit was highlighted by the vibrant nature of the neighbourhood and the traffic movement, particularly after the opening of five Dubai Tram Stations within a 2.5km-long sector of Al Safouh Street.

These stations will be fitted with key services and will smoothly integrate with other transit modes to meet public needs and encourage more usage of mass transportation through the provision of pedestrian crossings, pick-up and drop-off points, bus stops, taxi ranks, and car parks in a way that precludes the onset of any interventions that might choke or cripple the traffic movement between the tram and other transit means. She said the step also fits well with the speed limits applied northward in Jumeirah Street (70 km/h), and southward in JBR (60 km/h). The setting of speed radars will be consistent with the move as agreed up on with the General HQ of the Dubai Police.

Colonel Saif Muhair stressed the importance of reducing the speed on this road to ensure safety of road users, and urged motorists to stick to the specified speed limits to avoid accidents.

Bin Udai also said complying with the applicable rules on the part of road users is pursuant to the Decision of the Executive Council No (1) for 2014 regulating the tram operation in the Emirate of Dubai.

According to this decision, severe and stringent measures will be enforced against violators of specified speed limits and red signal jumpers. She lauded the ongoing coordination between the RTA and the Dubai Police General HQ in taking a host of preventive measures and well-rehearsed procedures towards maintaining the safety of road users such as the installation of speed radars to monitor speed and red signal jumping violations.

She also explained that radars would report speed violations starting from 81 km/h, and that sufficient numbers of directional and awareness signage would be erected to display the permissible speed on this part of the Street, and help streamline the traffic flow at the intersections of the Dubai Tram and align it with the movement of pedestrians to bring it at par with world-class standards.

lily@khaleejtimes.com