Dubai: Two new left turns and two U-turn will open along the route of Dubai Tram from early next month, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on Monday.
Located at the intersection of Al Sufouh-Al Gharbi streets between Jumeirah Beach Residence 1 and Jumeirah Beach Residence 2 stations, the opening of the turns will make life easier for motorists.
All left and U-turns were closed ahead of the opening of Dubai Tram in November 2014 to ensure road safety.
The closure of the turns ensured that there were zero tram-related accidents.
According to RTA, the reopening is being done after ensuring that road users are accustomed to the existence and movement of the tram.
This is the third location along the tramway that has seen an opening of left and U-turns this year.
In March, the intersection of Al Sayora-Al Sufouh streets and Al Marsa-Al Sufouh streets at Jumeirah Beach Residence saw the opening of all turns, while in June Al Marsa-Al Sharta streets intersection saw a similar development.
According to Maitha Mohammad Bin Adai, CEO of RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency, a committee of specialists was set up and an international consultant was appointed to draw up a comprehensive plan to realise the Tram/Roads Safety Strategy.
“The plan encompasses organisational procedures encapsulated in 15 strategic recommendations integrated in a five-year plan covering programmes, procedures and initiatives undertaken in collaboration with strategic partners with the aim of achieving zero accidents level in the operation of the Dubai Tram by 2020,” said Bin Adai.
She added that several preventive measures have been set to eliminate potential accidents between the tram and vehicles at the intersection of Al Marsa-Al Gharbi streets.
“The team overseeing the plan has developed the Tram/Roads Strategy comprising numerous quick solutions including the signing off of more than 100 issues related to the safety of the tram and traffic movement as part of an Action Plan. It comprises several aspects relating to engineering matters, traffic movement, operation of light signals, awareness campaigns, training, traffic enforcement measures, and coordination of technical and administrative procedures with strategic partners,” she noted.
As part of the safe signalling procedure, all traffic lights turn red when a tram approaches the junction.
Special surveillance cameras have been installed to monitor vehicles jumping the red signal in coordination with the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police.
“The Dubai Tram is equipped with sophisticated technologies to alert speeding tram drivers, and automatically reduce the speed in case of no response from the driver. There is a code of conduct applicable to tram drivers committing multiple offences and posing risks to road users,” she said.
