Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has initiated a significant endeavor to construct 19 state-of-the-art rest stops and lay-bys at various locations along the roads, in collaboration with private sector partners.

The project encompasses the development of three Integrated Truck Lay-bys, one of which will be established in partnership with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), and two others in collaboration with Almutakamela Vehicle Testing and Registration.

In conjunction with Adnoc, the RTA plans to set up 16 stops strategically positioned across Dubai, targeting areas with a substantial daily influx of heavy trucks. These locations include Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Emirates Road, Dubai-Hatta Road, Dubai-Al Ain Road, Jebel Ali – Lehbab Road, and Al Aweer Road.

The combined area of all proposed rest stops and lay-bys will exceed 300,000 square meters, with the capacity to accommodate over 1,000 heavy vehicles.

Upon completion, the three Integrated Truck Lay-bys will provide essential services prioritizing the safety and well-being of drivers. These services encompass diesel-refueling stations, motels, maintenance workshops, restaurants, administrative buildings, prayer rooms, driving training centers, clinics, pharmacies, exchange shops, laundry centers, and various other support facilities dedicated to the welfare of heavy vehicle drivers.

The rest stops themselves will offer service facilities, prayer rooms, diesel refueling stations, restaurants, maintenance workshops, and resting areas for drivers.

Mattar Al Tayer, the RTA's director-general, highlighted that the construction of these truck rest stops and lay-bys will significantly contribute to enhancing traffic safety. This initiative is expected to reduce truck-related accidents by up to 50%, improve traffic flow during truck ban times, increase awareness among truck drivers about traffic rules, and resolve the issue of parking trucks on main roads and residential areas.

With the rising demand for truck parking spaces due to the substantial increase in the number of truck trips in Dubai (exceeding 300,000 trips per day lifting 1.5 metric tonnes of commodities per day), this project will provide convenient facilities for truck drivers, especially during truck ban timings on certain roads.

Each of the three Integrated Truck Lay-bys will cover a total combined space of more than 226,000 square meters, with capacities ranging from 120 to 200 trucks and heavy vehicles.

The lay-by managed by Almutakamela Vehicle Testing and Registration will be situated on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, near Jebel Ali Free Zone and Al Maktoum International Airport, covering 100,000 square meters with a capacity for up to 200 lorries.

The second lay-by, run by Adnoc, will be located near Emirates Road, next to the Al Tayy Racetrack, covering an area of 76,000 square meters with a capacity for 150 lorries.

The third lay-by, also managed by Almutakamela, will be constructed near the entrance to Dubai Industrial City, occupying 51,000 square meters and accommodating about 120 lorries.

Source: the National