Dubai to ban trucks on key roads during 'peak hours'

Starting October 1, Dubai will introduce a complete ban or "peak hour" restrictions on truck movement on several key roads, based on "traffic corridor, area and congestion levels", with Emirates Road exempted from the decision.

Making the announcement on Saturday, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Police said a "round-the-clock ban" will be implemented on several roads, including Al Qudra Street, Al Meydan Street, all crossings and Airport Tunnel.

Meanwhile, trucks will not be allowed on Sheikh Zayed Road and Beirut Street, as well as residential areas such as Al Mizhar, Muhaisnah and Oud Al Muteena, between 6:00 am and 10:00pm every day.

Restrictions will be spilt into three "peak periods" daily on "urban roads, including Airport Street, Oman Street and Damascus Street". It will be from 6:30 am to 8:30 am, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, and 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

It's part of efforts to "improve traffic flow across Dubai and enhance road safety, while considering the needs of the commercial transport and logistics sector", the statement read.

RTA also announced the completion of 14 of 16 rest stops for truck drivers across six key sites across the Emirate. It unveiled a 50 per cent increase in capacity at seven rest stops, bringing the total number of truck parking spaces at these facilities to 1,007.

The authority said over 150,000 trucks use the rest stops each month, with approximately 400,000 truck journeys clocked across Dubai every day.

Exemptions for "essential cases" will be permitted following an approval process on RTA's official website.