Transport authorities in Dubai will consider introducing flexible road tolls in a further effort to cut congestion.
The emirate's Roads and Transport Authority said variable charges – often referred to as dynamic pricing – could "increase the effectiveness of the traffic toll system".
Such pricing strategies typically involve motorists paying higher toll charges during peak hours, to encourage driving at less busy periods when possible.
Tariffs could also be adjusted depending on traffic conditions, the number of people in each vehicle and the type of model being driven, one expert said.
The authority announced on Friday it would launch two new Salik toll gates by November, taking the total number to 10.
Currently, motorists are charged Dh4 ($1) to pass through each gate and the amount is deducted automatically from the driver's Salik account.
"To enhance the effectiveness of the traffic tariff system and achieve the goals related to reducing congestion and redistributing traffic flow, the flexible tariff that varies according to gate locations and congestion levels is considered one of the future solutions," the RTA said on X.
"Its implementation depends on the results of the transportation strategy carried out by the authority. Thank you for your understanding and continuous co-operation with us."
Salik toll gates - in pictures
It provided details of its traffic-busting plans in a message on X on Monday morning, in response to a query from prominent Emirati lawyer, Dr Habib Al Mulla, over the effectiveness of the emirate's road toll strategy.
Dr Al Mulla, also on X, called for the introduction of a dynamic toll system in which "fees increase during peak hours and decrease during less congested times".
"Implementing variable fees based on congestion levels achieves greater fairness for road users, as opposed to a fixed fee throughout the day, even when the road is less crowded," he wrote.
Salik Company was directed by the RTA to install the new toll gates, which will be positioned at the Business Bay Crossing on Al Khail Road and in Al Safa South on Sheikh Zayed Road, between Al Meydan Street and Umm Al Sheif Street.
Authorities said these locations had been chosen following extensive traffic studies in an effort to reduce congestion.
In September 2022, Salik said it had plans to establish dynamic pricing at its toll gates to increase revenue and reduce congestion.
Andre Martins, head of transport, infrastructure and services for India, Middle East and Africa at Oliver Wyman, said such toll initiatives usually involved users paying higher road fees during peak hours and lower rates at other times.
“The idea is to help change behaviours and incentivise people to use the roads during less congested hours,” Mr Martins told The National previously.
Ultimately, the aim is to minimise congestion, manage traffic, reduce travel times, decrease carbon dioxide emissions and convince people to use alternative routes and modes of transport, he said.
Dubai, which expects the population to nearly double in the next 20 years, is seeking ways to mitigate the accompanying traffic increase.
It is hoped the expanding the number of toll gates and adopting dynamic pricing will help alleviate congestion and encourage more use of public transport.
“People will tend to complain a bit in the beginning because it is new, but over time they will understand how it works, and the pricing will help change behaviour,” Mr Martins said.
How have other cities used it?
Major cities such as London, Stockholm and Singapore have successfully introduced the dynamic pricing system, Mr Martins said.
Singapore recorded a 24 per cent reduction in traffic and Stockholm registered a 20 per cent decrease in congestion by adopting the system, which helped daily commuters, he said.
Neighbouring Abu Dhabi also introduced its own road toll system – known as Darb – in January 2021.
It charges motorists during the peak morning hours of 7am to 9am and again from 5pm to 7pm.
The tolls are active from Monday to Saturday, with charges waived on Sundays and public holidays.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
more from Janine di Giovanni
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
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Bio:
Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour
Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite food: Fish and vegetables
Favourite place to visit: London
Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
Golden Dallah
For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.
Al Mrzab Restaurant
For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.
Al Derwaza
For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.
The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
If you go:
Getting there:
Flying to Guyana requires first reaching New York with either Emirates or Etihad, then connecting with JetBlue or Caribbean Air at JFK airport. Prices start from around Dh7,000.
Getting around:
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
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On sale: Now
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Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Feeding the thousands for iftar
Six industrial scale vats of 500litres each are used to cook the kanji or broth
Each vat contains kanji or porridge to feed 1,000 people
The rice porridge is poured into a 500ml plastic box
350 plastic tubs are placed in one container trolley
Each aluminium container trolley weighing 300kg is unloaded by a small crane fitted on a truck
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 4 (Messi 23' pen, 45 1', 48', Busquets 85')
Celta Vigo 1 (Olaza 42')
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
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Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Red Sparrow
Dir: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Egerton, Charlotte Rampling, Jeremy Irons
Three stars
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
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- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELong-range%20dual%20motor%20with%20400V%20battery%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E360kW%20%2F%20483bhp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E840Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20automatic%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20touring%20range%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20628km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E0-100km%2Fh%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.7sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20210kph%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh360%2C000%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeptember%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Tenet
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh
Rating: 5/5
Tips for avoiding trouble online
- Do not post incorrect information and beware of fake news
- Do not publish or repost racist or hate speech, yours or anyone else’s
- Do not incite violence and be careful how to phrase what you want to say
- Do not defame anyone. Have a difference of opinion with someone? Don’t attack them on social media
- Do not forget your children and monitor their online activities
