Dubai's RTA Completes 10 Of 16 Truck Rest Stops In Collaboration With ADNOC

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), has built 10 out of 16 planned truck rest stops.

These stops are located on major locations such as Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Emirates Road, Dubai-Hatta Road, Dubai-Al Ain Road, Jebel Ali-Lehbab Road, and Al Awir Road, all of which see heavy truck traffic.

The rest areas cover over 75,000 square meters and can handle over 5,000 trucks and heavy vehicles with 700 parking spots. Each rest area is between 5,000 to 10,000 square meters and can accommodate 30 to 45 trucks and heavy vehicles.

These rest areas feature amenities like service areas, prayer rooms, diesel refueling stations and driver restrooms.

"Constructing truck rest stops enhances traffic safety by reducing truck-related incidents by 50%," Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, was quoted as saying by WAM.

"These facilities improve traffic flow during truck ban periods, promote traffic awareness among truck drivers, and eliminate the parking of trucks on main roads and in residential areas. The rest areas are designed to allow truck drivers to rest during traffic bans on specific highways and to accommodate the increasing need for truck parking," he added.

The need for these rest stops comes from the high number of truck trips in Dubai, which exceed 300,000 each day and carry about 1.5 million tonnes of goods daily.

Al Tayer said that choosing the right spots for truck rest stops involves following specific standards and technical studies. This helps make the facilities effective and supports the land transport sector.

The locations are selected to be on major roads, in key areas, and near logistics centers to serve as many trucks as possible each day. The sites are chosen to ensure safe entry and exit, minimize impact on residential areas, and provide rest stops efficiently along highways.

Last year, RTA and ADNOC agreed to build and run a large truck rest area near Emirates Road, next to Al Tayy Racetrack. The area covers over 76,000 square meters and can accommodate 150 vehicles.

RTA last month launched a smart inspection vehicle trial operation, which will use advanced technology and cameras to monitor rail areas and detect violations, restricted activities, and damage.