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Dubai mulls reducing speed limits on two key highways

Dubai - RTA and Dubai Police are discussing the possibility of reducing speed limits on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), on Wednesday held a coordinative meeting with Major General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police.

The meeting discussed the needs of the Dubai Police in the Enterprise Command & Control Center (EC3), and the extension of the Dubai Metro Red Line to the site of Expo Project (Route 2020). Topics discussed also included safety issues of Dubai Tram, management of traffic accidents and the possibility of reducing the speed limits on the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road.

"The RTA and Dubai Police are mega government entities in the Government of Dubai and share a portfolio of roles and responsibilities that serve the strategic objectives and goals of the Dubai government highlighted by secure, safe and smooth transport that adds to people happiness. These regular coordinative meetings offer an important communication channel for discussing new developments especially those relating to enhanced safety of roads & mass transit means for the benefit of citizens and residents of Dubai," said Al Tayer.

He commended the strategic partnership between the RTA and Dubai Police and the huge cooperation and support accorded by Dubai Police to the RTA citing their coordination in the traffic management and law enforcement as an example.

Al Marri welcomed RTA's delegation and hailed the high-level cooperation between the two parties and expressed hope for yet better coordination that paves the way for integrated services provided by the two departments for the benefit of people in Dubai.

"These coordinative meetings of the RTA and Dubai Police are of huge benefit to the emirate and the joint business. They enable realizing the common objectives of providing security, tranquility and happiness to citizens & residents," said Al Marri.

The meeting discussed the Enterprise Command & Control Center Project currently undertaken by the RTA with the aim of linking various control centers of RTA's operational agencies. Namely, it will bring together the Control Centers of the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, Public Transport, Taxi and Traffic Systems to form a consolidated central control unit connecting all RTA agencies. Discussions covered the needs of the Dubai Police regarding office space and the training of police personnel deployed in the EC3.

Discussions also touched on the management of traffic accidents in Dubai with the aim of reducing the time taken in managing traffic accidents and restoring the traffic movement back to normal as quick as possible.

Under this project, the RTA will provide logistical support needed by the Police in managing traffic accidents through opening alternative roads, introducing traffic diversions .etc. The two parties discussed lowering the speed limit on the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road given the recurrent traffic and run-over accidents on the two roads. The two parties discussed the possibility of reducing the speed limit from 120 km/h to 110 km/h and resetting the radar at 131 km/h, and intensify law enforcement measures to fend off jaywalking. Discussions touched on the parking of heavy vehicles in residential areas, where it was agreed to run joint awareness & enforcement campaigns to intensify the monitoring of trucks and reporting violators.

The Dubai Police delegation reviewed the details of Route 2020 Project involving the extension of the Dubai Metro Red Line 15 km from Nakheel Harbour and Tower Station to the site of Expo. Accordingly, the Dubai Police, represented by Transport Security Department, will specify the security requirements of the project to ensure an appropriate working environment for the security personnel in the light of lessons learnt in the metro and tram projects. The meeting also discussed restoring the Dubai Tram service following any incident and the need to take all measures to help reduce the service disruption time in collaboration with RTA concerned parties.