Dubai: Heavy trucks will get 24 rest areas on Dubai highways in two years, the first of which has been opened by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on Emirates Road.
The parking facilities, each of which can accommodate up to 30 heavy vehicles, is part of RTA’s efforts to enhance traffic safety on highways and streamline the movement of trucks.
The first rest area, which opened recently, is located on Emirates Road in the direction of Sharjah on the intersection with Truck Road and about five kilometres before the Al Ain exit.
According to Maitha Bin Udai, CEO of RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency, six of the rest areas will be ready this year, while six more will come up next year and the remaining will be built in 2016, all of which will be located on Mohammad Bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road.
“As part of RTA’s traffic safety strategy, design and construction of 24 parking facilities for trucks has been approved, spreading across Emirates Road, and Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road. Each truck stop is capable of accommodating 30 trucks with the aim of providing a venue for parking trucks in a safe manner before the onset of a ban on truck movements inside the city,” she said.
Apart from parking facilities, the rest areas will provide integrated rest rooms equipped with security personnel around the clock.
The facilities also include various services that meet the needs of drivers and workers such as hotel rooms, petrol stations, medical clinic, shops and maintenance services.
The second rest house that will come up soon is located in both directions of Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road near Dubai International City, and the third is located at Jebel Ali – Lehbab Road.
Maitha reiterated RTA’s keen attention on ensuring the safety of road users, providing all safety and security precautions in internal and external roads to the highest international standards and specifications.
“As human errors account for about 85 per cent of traffic accidents, concerted efforts of all public and private institutions are needed to raise the awareness of road users, particularly drivers of trucks and buses,” she noted
