A congestion-cutting rapid response unit set up to help clear the way for motorists after traffic accidents and breakdowns on a major Dubai route has tackled nearly 2,000 incidents in just four months.
The Traffic Incidents Management Unit was launched by Dubai Roads and Transport Authority in September, in tandem with organisations such as Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality and the emirate's ambulance service, to clear accident scenes in order to swiftly get traffic back on the move and prevent gridlock on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road.
The unit has already dealt with more than 1,800 incidents since first getting into gear - turning out to smashes and breakdowns well within its ten-minute target and ensuring vehicles are cleared from the roads within 15 minutes.
The unit is deployed at five spots on the road, at the junctions of Al Yalayes, Jebel Ali-Lehbab, Hessa and Tunis Streets, as well as the premises of the General Department of Operations of Dubai Police.
The RTA said the initiative had successfully hit a number of performance targets since being brought into force.
“The unit has dealt with more than 1,800 traffic incidents on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and hit several performance indicators of the project," said Maitha bin Adai, chief executive officer of the RTA.
“The time taken to send traffic patrols to the accident site was not more than 10 minutes from the receipt of the report.
“Vehicles are cleared in not more than 15 minutes. 60 per cent of traffic accidents that took place were related to light vehicles, and 15 per cent involved heavy vehicles,”
“The task of the Traffic Incidents Unit is not confined to the removal of faulty vehicles or those involved in accidents, but extends to include the development of emergency plans for implementation in case the traffic movement warrants closing part of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and diverting the traffic to other junctions.”
The safety scheme was rolled out after a traffic management study found that about 250,000 breakdowns and 200,000 accidents take place on Dubai's roads every year - prompting a need for a quicker and more efficient response from authorities.
The unit aims to cut the clearance time of minor accidents by 35 per cent, the RTA said.
The traffic unit is currently in operation on a year-long trial basis and could be expanded at the end of the period.
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Brigadier Mohammed Nasir Al Razooqi, director of the General Department of Transport and Rescue at Dubai Police, said the scheme has so far produced 'good results' with patrols turning out to accident scenes in just six minutes on average.
“Provisionally the scheme has yielded good results. The arrival time to the incidents site reported was six minutes, and the transport vehicles arrival time was 14 minutes," said Brig Al Razooqi.
“Such figures have been achieved thanks to the tactical deployment of six patrols at certain spots and the deployment of a specially trained team. The Unit is supported with 11 heavy equipment to remove damaged or faulty vehicles and is capable of dealing with any vehicles of any size or type.
“The Units are equipped with advanced telecommunication devices linked with the Command and Control Room of the Dubai Police. The procedures and coordination channels are being continuously upgraded for the safety of road users to ensure higher security and safety on Dubai roads.
