Dubai: New traffic signs will be introduced on Dubai roads soon as the Roads and Transport Authority prepares for the launch of the Dubai Tram later this year.
Most of the new road signs are related to the tram and railway, while a few are for speed breakers and pedestrian crossings.
“Since Dubai Tram will share road space with other vehicles, it is important that we introduce new signs to regulate traffic in areas where trams will operate. We are working on an awareness campaign for motorists on how to drive safely in areas where trams will be operating,” said Ahmad Hashem Behroozian, CEO of RTA’s Licensing Agency.
Vehicular traffic from all directions will stop whenever trams cross the intersections as the trams will have right of way. This and other details about sharing space with trams will highlighted in a new campaign that will launched in the next few weeks.
“The campaign will pick up intensity as the date of the launch approaches. Various activities are being planned to make people understand various aspects of road safety,” he said.
Changes are being made to the driving curriculum in Dubai’s motor driving institutes to incorporate elements on sharing space with trams.
“Safety of road users is our priority. That is the reason why we are making changes to the curriculum. All the new road signs will be taught in theory classes and questions about them will be asked during the mandatory knowledge test. Our idea is to make people aware of the changes in roads and to make them careful about other road users,” added Behroozian.
The signs will inform the public about trams crossing on either side, trams crossing on the intersection, routes where only trams are allowed, etc.
Driving institutes have already started teaching the new signs to its students.
“Emirates Driving Institute (EDI) has included the topic ‘Modern Transport System’ in its theory lectures wherein the important road and safety signs relating to the upcoming Dubai Tram are being explained,” said an official at EDI.
Subjects such as priority tracks for tram movement, dangers of littering and causing obstructions to the tramway line, crossing and entry restrictions have also been introduced.
“All the new traffic and road signs are being covered in the lectures at EDI. We are working with RTA to make our students aware about the latest developments on roads,” added the official.
Work on the Dubai Tram is progressing at a good pace, with the trams scheduled to be operational in November.
More than 75 per cent of the work has been completed and trial runs on the recently arrived trams have begun.
The first phase of the Dubai Tram will operate with 11 trains, covering a distance of 10.6km that will be served by 11 stations.
Another four kilometres of tramway will be added in the next phase that will be served by seven more stations.
