Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has undertaken an ambitious project in collaboration with the private sector to construct 19 truck rest stops and lay-bys in various key locations across the city.
The primary goal of this project is to enhance the safety and well-being of truck drivers and to address the increasing demand for parking spaces amid the rising number of daily truck trips, which now exceed 300,000, involving the transportation of 1.5 metric tonnes of commodities daily, RTA said in a statement posted on its website.
The project includes three integrated truck lay-bys, with one being developed in partnership with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and the other two in collaboration with Almutakamela Vehicle Testing and Registration, the RTA statement noted.
These integrated truck lay-bys will be equipped with a comprehensive range of amenities and services to ensure the safety and comfort of drivers.
Services such as diesel-refuelling stations, motels, maintenance workshops, restaurants, administrative buildings, prayer rooms, driving training centres, clinics, pharmacies, exchange shops, laundry, and other support facilities will be provided,
Furthermore, RTA, in conjunction with ADNOC, will establish 16 truck rest stops across Dubai in strategic locations, including key roads and logistic cities that witness heavy truck traffic daily. These rest stops will offer essential facilities such as service centers, prayer rooms, diesel refuelling stations, restaurants, maintenance workshops, and resting areas for drivers.
The total area of all 19 truck rest stops and lay-bys combined is an impressive 300,000 square meters, with a capacity to accommodate over 1,000 trucks and heavy vehicles.
Each of these integrated truck lay-bys will cover an area of more than 226,000 square meters and have a capacity ranging from 120 to 200 trucks and heavy vehicles.
H E Mattar Al Tayer, the Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at RTA, expressed his delight in partnering with the private sector and encouraging private firms to participate in infrastructure and service projects.
He emphasised that this collaboration aims to elevate Dubai’s status as a global hub for logistical transport while ensuring the safety and well-being of truck drivers by providing essential amenities for their daily needs.
This groundbreaking partnership with the private sector aligns with Law No. (22) of 2015, which regulates public-private partnerships in Dubai.
The agreement with ADNOC and Almutakamela demonstrates the commitment to construct and operate these truck rest stops and lay-bys, significantly contributing to improved traffic safety, reduced truck-related accidents by up to 50%, streamlined traffic flow during truck ban times, increased traffic awareness among truck drivers regarding traffic rules, and a resolution to the issue of parking trucks on main roads and residential areas.