Ministry of Works completes annual traffic survey and statistics study

The study is part of ongoing efforts to assist the development of scenarios to upgrade the road network to ensure the mobility of Bahrain and to improve busy intersections by increasing traffic safety levels. This activity is part of the Ministry's commitment to meeting the needs of the public.

According to Mrs. Huda Abdulla Fakhroo, Director of the Ministry's Roads Planning and Design Directorate, the study determines the number of vehicles entering and leaving the Manama area, Seef Area as well as the number of vehicles passing through the underpass in Hamad Town.

"Based on statistics, the amount of traffic to and from the Manama area at 10 entry/exit points reached 558,243 vehicles per day (entry = 304,036, exit= 254,207) in 2008," said Mrs Fakhro. "Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Highway near the Pearl Roundabout carried 17% of vehicles - the largest, while conversely Avenue 28 witnessed a traffic volume of only 3%," said Mrs Fakhro.

On Bahrain's causeways the total number of vehicles travelling to and from the Muharraq area reached 153,677 vehicles per day in 2008; with the largest volume at 43% on Shaikh Hamad Causeway and the lowest volume of traffic at 28% on Shaikh Khalifa Causeway.

Muharraq Area:

"Compared to 2007 entry/exit points at the Bahrain Map junction indicate a decrease in the total number of vehicles by 6% and a decrease at Umm Al Hassam junction north of Nabi Saleh by 11% in 2008," added Mrs. Fakhro. "Both locations are under construction for traffic improvement schemes; hence, traffic diversion to other routes was anticipated. It is expected that upon completion of these traffic improvement schemes traffic flow in this route will improve."

In Hamad Town, the two underpasses along Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Highway adjacent to Roundabouts 6 and 14 are now operational. The greatest number of vehicles passing these areas at both locations was recorded during morning peak periods. The underpass adjacent to Roundabout 6 carries 58.11% of the overall total of 2,619 vehicles in the southbound direction and 94.02 % of the overall total of 1,923 vehicles heading in the northbound direction. Likewise, the underpass adjacent to Roundabout 14 carries 93.66% of the overall total of 2,995 vehicles and 91.84% of the overall total of 944 vehicles in the southbound and northbound directions, respectively. With the construction of these underpasses in Hamad Town, it is expected that traffic circulation will improve in these areas.

At the Seef District, the total number of vehicles entering and leaving the area at 4 entry/exit points (e.g. Pearl Roundabout, King Abdullah Avenue., Avenue 28/40 and Road 4650 (the road adjacent to City Center) reached around 140,000 vehicles per day in 2008. Most vehicles use the Pearl Roundabout as the entry/exit point to Seef District which carries 59% of the overall total. However, the lowest percentage of traffic volume was witnessed on Road 4650 with 6% of the overall total.

12,903 vehicles travel through the flyover (Eastbound traffic) located on King Abdullah Bin Al Hussain Althani Avenue on a daily basis, which equates to 39% of the total volume of vehicles at this entry/exit point.