Dynamic Tolls Ease Traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road by 9%, Says RTA

Government & Regulations

Dynamic Tolls Ease Traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road by 9%, Says RTA

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced that traffic volumes on Sheikh Zayed Road have decreased by 9% following the implementation of dynamic toll pricing. Introduced by Salik on January 31, 2025, the new pricing system charges motorists AED 6 during peak hours and AED 4 during off-peak periods on weekdays.

This initiative, along with new dynamic parking tariffs introduced in April—charging AED 6 per hour for premium public parking during peak times—is part of Dubai’s broader strategy to deliver sustainable and long-term traffic solutions. The city aims to improve traffic flow efficiency by 20 to 30 percent through integrated policies and smart infrastructure.

The RTA shared these developments at a workshop themed “Connecting Bridges,” attended by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. The workshop highlighted six strategic focus areas: reducing trip frequency and duration, expanding access to new mobility options, deploying intelligent transport systems, enhancing public awareness, and encouraging joint planning and development efforts across sectors.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the RTA, emphasized that Dubai’s rapid population growth—averaging over 6% annually compared to a global average of 1.1%—is a key factor contributing to rising traffic congestion. He added that the city’s daytime population is expected to reach 8 million by 2040, while tourist arrivals reached over 18 million in 2024, a 9% increase from 2023.

Dubai also reported a sharp increase in vehicle ownership, with 2.5 million registered cars in 2024—accounting for nearly half of all vehicles in the UAE. Other challenges include varying driving behaviors due to the multicultural population, inadequate trip planning, and limited awareness of peak-hour travel patterns.

Despite these challenges, Al Tayer noted that Dubai continues to outperform global cities such as Singapore, London, Sydney, and Montreal in terms of average travel time. He stressed the importance of collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors, as well as implementing flexible work arrangements and distance learning to alleviate traffic during peak hours.

Looking ahead, Dubai plans to invest over AED 40 billion in more than 30 strategic road and transport projects over the next three years. A major highlight is the Dubai Metro Blue Line, which will connect nine key districts and is expected to reduce congestion in those areas by up to 20%.

Rashed Mohamed, Chief Real Estate Officer at Wasl Group, also emphasized the importance of developing affordable housing closer to employment hubs. He noted that such initiatives can reduce long commutes and ease overall traffic pressure.

The workshop gathered representatives from over 50 entities, including government departments, property developers, global consultants, and transportation experts, to shape the future of urban mobility in Dubai.