Gulf Construction Online - Soft Mobility Project first phase nearly complete

UAE Focus

The plan addresses first and last-mile challenges by using non-motorised modes.

Soft Mobility Project first phase nearly complete

01 February 2020

The initial phase of Dubai Master Plan for ‘Soft Mobility’ would be completed in March, said director-general and chairman of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), adding that this phase covered three residential districts of Karama, Mankhool, and Al Qusais 1.

“The Soft Mobility Plan aims to develop a user-friendly and integrated transport infrastructure aimed at linking urban developments and catchment areas,” explained Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer.

“The plan envisages the use of non-conventional transit means such as walking and cycling as well as the use of electric scooters. It addresses first and last-mile challenges by providing an infrastructure that supports the integration of mobility such as the construction of cycling tracks, pedestrian crossings and rest areas, shaded paths, landscaped areas, parking for rented cars, and bike racks.

“RTA has commissioned a comprehensive car-free mobility study in Dubai, which focused on providing an infrastructure suitable for relatively long and medium journeys to ensure safe and smooth transport for all. It sets a strategy for promoting the use of non-motorised transport modes, people-friendly infrastructure, and fostering an accessible environment for people of determination within the right-of-way.

“It also aims to connect various city components by easing mobility between developed and catchment areas. It addresses the needs of the first and last-mile challenge by using non-motorised modes,” he added.

The Soft Mobility project entails providing integrated transport elements such as serving the mobility of people of determination, constructing elevated pedestrian crossings and speed-calming devices, designating shared biking lanes, and providing bike racks as well as directional and cautionary signage. Elements also include the construction of adjusted pavements, routes shared by vehicles and non-motorised means, rest areas including landscaped and sitting places and shaded paths to encourage people to use flexible mobility means.

Under the initial phase of the project covering three residential areas (Karama, Mankhool and Al Qusais 1), RTA constructed 314 elevated pedestrian crossings and 66 speed-calming devices. It designated shared pedestrian and biking lanes extending 33 km and shared routes for vehicles and non-motorised flexible transit means extending 52 km. It also added 2,000 directional/cautionary signs, adjusted 77,000 sq m of pavements, built 21 rest areas and seven shaded routes.

The project works will continue in 2020 and next year at Barsha 1 and 2, Bateen, Baraha, Ras, Al Qusais 2, and Al Qusais Industrial. The number of areas covered by the flexible transport plan is set to increase to 27 by 2024.