10 Interesting Facts about Abu Dhabi Roads

Traveling by road is the most convenient method of transport in the country, and the UAE government has put much effort into developing this aspect of the nation, and this did not go unnoticed since UAE roads ranked 1st in the world according to the Global Competitiveness Report.

The report and distinction have been presented by the World Economic Forum for 2017-2018.

Here are 10 Interesting Things You Should Know About Abu Dhabi Roads

In the UAE, tens of thousands of people get behind the wheel to drive to their destination every single day, and the Emirati capital is no exemption to this. The flow of traffic along the UAE capital’s modern highways is maintained and safety ensured thanks to the use of state-of-the-art technology and the very latest construction materials and techniques, as shared in a report by the Khaleej Times.

Accordingly, Abu Dhabi has also been chosen to host the World Road Congress in October.

With less than a month to go until the UAE capital welcomes the world’s leading road professionals and experts for the 26th edition of the prestigious event, experts from Abu Dhabi’s Department of Transport have brought up 10 amazing facts about the roads in the distinguished Emirati capital:

1. Rapid Growth – In just over a decade, the UAE capital’s road network has almost doubled its capacity. Of note, the emirate’s roads stretch for more than 25,000km, reaching cities, towns and neighboring countries with ease.
2. Heat-resistant – it’s common knowledge that the UAE experiences harsh weather conditions, especially during the summer when temperatures can reach up to 51 degrees outside. Because of this, the Abu Dhabi developers have designed a unique type of road surface mix, known as Structured Asphalt, which was able to withstand extreme heat. The road material is made up of a blend of bitumen and aggregates unique to Abu Dhabi.
3. Too much sand, not a problem – Interestingly, the gradient and camber of Abu Dhabi’s roads is specifically designed to allow sand to easily and quickly blow over the surface, ensuring it keeps moving and doesn’t collect on the road.
4. Truck Roads – Abu Dhabi is the only emirate in the country to provide dedicated truck roads that run parallel to existing routes. Created to help with the flow of essential trucks along the main north, south, east and west routes through Abu Dhabi, these trucks-only roads reduce the risk of cars being involved in accidents with larger vehicles and allow trucks to avoid being caught up in rush hour traffic.
5. Camel Crossings – Owing to the traditional Arabian use of camels for transport, Abu Dhabi has maintained traditional camel crossing routes through the building of dedicated underpasses, which allow the camels to roam freely and protect the animals and motorists from accidents.
6. A premium on Safety – With stringent laws set to address driver behavior on the road, Abu Dhabi roads have been specifically designed to have divided highways and controlled intersections that eliminate the risk of head-on collisions and improve safety.
7. Landscaping Achievements – An integral part of the vision of His Highness the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first President and Founder of the UAE, was to landscape the areas around the UAE’s road network. This is why scores of plants and trees can be seen growing along the side of all roads, even on the most remote desert routes.
8. Unique structural installations – Work crews can easily access essential pipes and cabling via purpose-built tunnels underneath the main roads. This means there’s no need to dig up roads, close lanes and disrupt traffic when it is time to repair or replace parts of the utility network.
9. Water Conservation – Complementing point number 2, the plants and trees that line the side of Abu Dhabi’s roads are irrigated using wastewater collected from around the Emirate. This recycled water is treated and used to boost the natural environment.
10. Two identical bridges – The Al Maqta Bridge, which was opened in 1968, was the first bridge in Abu Dhabi and provided a gateway connecting Abu Dhabi island with the mainland. The bridge quickly triggered an increase in traffic and movement to and from the capital, so in a bid to ease congestion a second bridge was built next to the original. Although they were constructed 33 years apart, both the original and newer Al Maqta Bridge look identical with engineers using the same structure and design.

With the World Road Congress coming up next month, there’s going to be an increase in traffic to and from the capital. Good thing Abu Dhabi roads have been designed to accommodate all kinds of vehicles and transport means for everyone to enjoy what the city has to offer.