RTA embarks on trial phase of new Addressing System in Dubai

The overall objective of the new system is to ease the movement of motorists and road users and enable them easy access to their destinations, as inspired by the theme of the project "Easy Address Smooth Access".

This project, which was initiated by the RTA, involves a number of service providers in the emirate. The project committee was formed and it was chaired by engineer Metha bin Adai, CEO of RTA Traffic and Roads Agency.

It included the Director of Traffic Dep't at the Agency as Deputy Chairperson, relevant RTA departmental directors and engineers as members, in addition to representatives from Dubai Municipality, General HQ of Dubai Police, General Directorate of Civil Defence, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Unified Ambulance Center, and Emirates Post Holding Group.

Metha described the new system as clear, concise, simple and easily memorized. It adopts building numbers, road and zones names, displayed on directional signs, rather than the district names used in the previous system which was mainly based on city landmarks and road numbers. The new system is therefore believed to help motorists reach their destinations easily and smoothly, according to Metha.

Metha said:

"The trial implementation of the project has just started by distributing demonstrative system implementation packs, site locator maps, Dubai map, and route directional signs. This applies to selected places designated by the RTA which cover residential zones of Jumeirah 3 and surrounding areas between the 2nd and 4th Interchange of Sheikh Zayed Road."

Metha added, "Launching the trial phase of the project is in line with Dubai Strategic Plan 2015; particularly the provisions of "Infrastructure, Lands and Environment Plan" calling for an integrated roads and transport system capable of ensuring seamless traffic flow and highest levels of safety for all road users. This showcases Dubai as a safe, clean, attractive venue of a sustainable environment and at the same time ensures unparalleled mobility for all users of roads, land and marine transit systems."

"The Addressing System is both simple and easily memorized as it basically relies on citing street names and dividing the city into zones; each zone containing several districts. The system allows for the possibility of adding postal codes at a later stage, pending completion of the project. It also includes developing the existing road signage system such that it will save time and effort required for reading the cluster of information contained in the directional signage. Forward directional signboards will be positioned to specify distances to the next exit to enable motorists exit the mainstream road smoothly, in line with the vision of the RTA to provide safe and smooth transport for all," Metha said.

Metha added, "Route signage will also be installed in the approaches of all surface intersections and elevated interchanges of numbered routes only (such as Emirates Routes - A, Dubai Routes - D). Information contained in these directional signs will help all road users access the required road or area easily. Motorists are required to acquaint themselves with several aspects associated with the directional boards, such as the background colour, destination of each route, signs displayed and exit numbering system."

"In order to realize the intended objectives of the project, RTA embarked on implementing Addressing and Directional Signage System in collaboration with Dubai Municipality, General HQ of Dubai Police and relevant Departments and Agencies. RTA is set to launch an intensive multi-phases media campaign to educate road users on how to benefit from the new system. It will develop maps marked with the new road names and explain the salient feature of the new Addressing System to motorists.," she added.

"Prior to engaging in the project, RTA conducted a study to identify the methodology of naming roads across the emirate of Dubai, and adopted a criterion of naming roads in each zone, based on the nature of use and geographical locations. The concerned parties of the project made valuable inputs through suggested road names. Dignitaries and senior personalities in the emirate, who are well-reputed in history and culture, contributed to the project through suggested road names, and offering valuable consultation on the Addressing System. The emirate of Dubai was subdivided into several zones, depending on their geographical nature, land uses, designations related to GCC, Arabian and Islamic culture, and compatibility with the social and educational nature of the zone," Metha concluded.