Dubai Sees 10% Increase in Vehicle Registrations

Dubai is buzzing with activity, and the numbers reflect that! During the daytime, the number of vehicles on Dubai's roads has soared to an impressive 3.5 million. According to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), this marks a 10% increase in registered vehicles over the past two years. In comparison, the global average growth in vehicle registrations hovers between 2% and 4%.

Insights from RTA Briefing

These figures were presented during a briefing at the RTA headquarters, attended by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council. Mattar Al Tayer, the Director-General of RTA, highlighted this growth and the city's impressive traffic management.

Despite this surge in traffic volume, Dubai still ranks high on the global journey time index. According to the 2023 TomTom Global Traffic Index, the average time for a 10 km trip within the central business district is only 12 minutes and 50 seconds. To put that in perspective, it takes 16 minutes and 50 seconds in Singapore, 19 minutes in Montreal, 21 minutes in Sydney, 22 minutes in Berlin, and a whopping 36 minutes in London. That’s some impressive traffic management!

RTA Initiatives and Future Plans

During the same visit, His Highness was briefed on the RTA's ambitious initiatives, including the AED 16 billion Main Roads Development Plan set for 2024-2027. This plan encompasses 22 new projects designed to enhance Dubai’s ever-expanding road network, ultimately benefiting over 6 million residents and supporting the city’s overall development goals.

Road Network Expansion

The RTA has made significant strides in expanding the road network. Since 2006, it has grown from 8,715 lane-kilometers to an astonishing 18,990 lane-kilometers, marking a 117% increase. The number of lanes across Dubai Creek has jumped from 16 to 61, which is a staggering 281% increase. Additionally, the number of vehicle bridges and tunnels has surged from 129 to 1,070, reflecting a remarkable 729% growth.

Pedestrian bridges and tunnels have also seen a substantial increase, rising from 26 to 129. This includes the bridges and tunnels for the Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram, showcasing a 396% growth in pedestrian infrastructure.