Traffic chaos echoes at urban planning symposium

Sharjah: Traditional methods employed during road works may soon become obsolete with experts taking note of the public's growing impatience with traffic problems caused by such projects.

"These types of construction are especially inappropriate in urban areas where traffic congestion is significant," said Kamran Nemati, associate professor at the University of Sharjah's civil and environmental engineering department.

Nemati was speaking on Sunday at the 10th edition of the Sharjah Urban Planning Symposium (SUPS), which was inaugurated by Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah.

Asphalt has long been a popular road construction material but is not the best option given the hot climate in the region and the number of heavy vehicles plying the roads, Nemati said. Repairs inevitably throw traffic out of gear, he said, advocating the use of Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP).

"The frequent maintenance required on some asphalt concrete pavement sections has made reconstruction with PCCP a feasible alternative. Concrete pavements can then be constructed efficiently and quickly," he said.

Nemati urged officials to encourage alternative techniques that significantly reduce the time for which roads remain closed to traffic while work to scale up or repair available infrastructure takes place.

300 research papers

"By adopting PCCP and incorporating innovative techniques, major urban intersections can be developed and traffic disruption can be kept to a minimum," he said.

The international symposium was held under the theme, "Capital cities, wicked problems: Best practices in planning and policy response mechanisms" and received 300 research papers from over 40 countries.

Monday is the last day of the symposium, which has been organised by the Directorate of Public Works.

Do you live in Sharjah? How have the ongoing roadworks affected your daily commute? How else can authorities ensure minimal interference in traffic due to roadworks?

Just like in Dubai the major maintenance and roadworks activities should be scheduled at night and the authorities should be sensitive about the disruption it produces at peak hours. They should avoid roadworks during peak hours at least. There should be co-ordination between roadworks and building construction so that new buildings do not rise next to the road hindering any future expansion of the roads.
Arun
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: November 24, 2008, 14:16

Brilliant! Instead of rolling the asphalt and driving on it, we would have to wait for a week or more before the new surface is opened to traffic. Concrete pavement might be all right for long stretches on rural roads (assuming you can stomach the tyre noise) but in town where frequent utilities crossings are required it is a disaster.
From A Reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 24, 2008, 12:56

The closure of Al Wahda Road led to congestions in areas that used to be free, thereby putting enormous strain on all commuters. I am thinking about moving back to Dubai as the stress is getting too much in the morning. My boss even granted me adjustment of hours that lead to longer working hours at night. I do not think that the planners knew what they were doing when they announced the closure of Al Wahda Road for two years. It is very frustrating.
From A Reader
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: November 24, 2008, 12:45

I live in Sharjah and suggest that underpasses are built while the road is under construction so that it does not have to be closed again later when they have to build again. Now, it is very easy to shop at Lulu supermarket, as we do not have to walk all the way to use the overpass while crossing the road.
M. Sorensen
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: November 24, 2008, 12:05

Irrespective of the building materials that are used to surface the roads, the problem remains that gridlock and congestion still occur on highways. They are caused by the intersection designs that have inherent flaws - heavy vehicle flow is slowed down which eventually leads to reduced traffic flow.
Jozef Goj
New South Wales,Australia
Posted: November 24, 2008, 06:43