The Integrated Transport Centre in Abu Dhabi Issues Over 25,000 Traffic Detour Permits Since Implementation of the Regulations
Published: Tuesday, 12 July, 2022
Published: Tuesday, 12 July, 2022
The Integrated Transport Centre in Abu Dhabi Issues Over 25,000 Traffic Detour Permits Since Implementation of the Regulations
The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) in Abu Dhabi announced that the number of permits for traffic detours issued in the emirate from January till the end of May 2022, increased to 6,169 compared with 5,974 permits issued in the corresponding period of 2021, bringing the total number of permits issued since the application of the provisions of the Traffic Detour Executive Regulations on October 1st, 2020, to 25,311.
The permits are issued by the ITC to allow roadside works to be carried out on the emirate’s main roads in accordance with the highest HSE standards and best practices in the implementation of infrastructure works. The regulations encompass all policies, procedures, requirements, professional practices and conditions to be followed when carrying out infrastructural or maintenance work on the roads.
Since the ITC began implementing the regulations in October 2020, 18,932 of the permits related to work were issued in Abu Dhabi city and its suburbs, which mounts up to 75% of the total permits issued in the emirate. Al Ain City, which saw the regulations implemented at the beginning of 2021, was ranked second with 3,707 permits, and the Al Dhafra region saw 2,672 permits since 1st April, 2021. The total number of permits issued across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi have increased by 48% since the regulation were introduced.
The ITC issues traffic detour permits after the relevant authorities have obtained the necessary approvals and no-objection certificates relevant to roadside works and services in accordance with the Abu Dhabi Guideline for Infrastructure Services in the Emirate, the procedures followed and the terms and conditions adhered to. Stakeholders can apply for traffic detour permits, follow up applications and receive permits through the Integrated Transport Centre's website, www.itc.gov.ae.
Improved traffic safety as a result of contractors' compliance with the provisions of the Regulation
The Integrated Transport Centre confirmed that the practices, procedures, standards and controls set out in the Traffic Detour Executive Regulations in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, as well as the high level of compliance exhibited by contractors have contributed to improving traffic safety levels and maintaining traffic flow during the execution of the works.
In this regard, the ITC noted that by the end of May this year, the Traffic Safety Index, which measures the level of compliance by traffic detour site workers with the safety requirements and rules set out for such detours, rose up to 98%, exceeding the 95% target value of the indicator. The ITC attributed this to the contractors’ substantial adherence to the practices, procedures and standards set out in the Traffic Detour Executive Regulations. The ITC had launched the Traffic Safety Index in order to ensure the safety of road users and ensure the implementation of the terms and conditions of the Traffic Detour Executive Regulations in the best possible manner by all contractors and companies administering infrastructural work on the emirate’s roads.
In addition to enhancing traffic safety levels, the ITC explained that the regulations and provisions enhance the quality of the work performed and increase the commitment to complete the work within the specified timeframe, thereby increasing the operational efficiency of contractors and companies and reducing their costs.
Guidelines to clarify procedures and responsibilities of entities carrying out roadside works
In order to clarify the procedures and responsibilities of stakeholders, the ITC has provided a manual of procedures for implementing the Traffic Detour Executive Regulations and published it on the ITC website. This manual is regarded as key reference, clarifying procedures and mechanisms for carrying out any roadside works. The manual also clearly states all policies, procedures, requirements, professional practices and controls that must be adhered to in the course of roadside works to ensure their completion in a safe and efficient manner.
The ITC stated that its engineers and inspectors, who are assigned to monitor and supervise the implementation of the Traffic Detour Executive Regulations and road infrastructure works, have carried out 52,274 field visits since the implementation of the Regulations on October 1, 2020 until the end of May 2022. The ITC conducted a total of 13,322 field visits to monitor and inspect the sites during the first five months of 2022 - 9,658 of which were conducted in Abu Dhabi and its suburbs, 2,187 were in Al Ain and its suburbs, and 1,477 were carried out in Al Dhafra region. The site visits aimed at ensuring that the works were carried out in accordance with the terms, conditions, disciplines and measures stipulated in the Regulations. These inspection visits noted 285 violations according to the penalty structure outlined by the regulation, 213 of which were in Abu Dhabi city, 38 in Al Ain city, and 34 in the Al Dhafra region. The number of violations recorded has decreased significantly from 179 in the second quarter of 2021 to 132 violations in the first quarter of 2022, which translates as a 36% decrease in the number of violations. This significant decrease is attributed to the positive responsiveness of contractors and companies implementing infrastructure works on the road and their adherence to the requirements, terms and conditions of the regulations.
In the meantime, the ITC reiterated the need for all companies working in this field to abide by the provisions of the regulations and their requirements and controls, stressing the need to obtain the permits necessary prior to carrying out any works on the roads, and advised that any roadside works carried out without prior authorization from the ITC and other relevant authorities will result in fines and legal action being taken against violators, especially since it jeopardizes the safety of the public and affects traffic flow.
According to the Traffic Detour Executive Regulations, the assigned authority is responsible for compensating for any damage that may be caused to the public roads, service lines or to any operational equipment or installations within the road, including lighting networks, traffic signs, traffic regulations and other public or private property.
The ITC introduced Traffic Detour Executive Regulations in coordination and cooperation with its relevant strategic partners for the purpose of implementing infrastructural projects for roads and services in accordance with the best standards and practices. This is to ensure the highest standards of traffic safety are met, and to avoid jeopardizing road users and traffic workers or causing any damage to services, infrastructure or public and private property.
The Integrated Transport Centre has carried out a number of awareness-raising campaigns on the content of the regulations and their provisions by holding workshops across the emirate in the presence of relevant strategic partners, and announcing the details of the regulations through social media and various media channels. The ITC’s engineers and inspectors conducted numerous field visits to traffic detour sites to educate contractors and consultants on the provisions and conditions of the regulations, and ensured that roadside works were carried out in accordance with the established standards and practices.