By dubailife 
London, San Diego, Stockholm, Singapore, and Milan are among the world’s busiest cities that implement a congestion charge—a fee for motorists to enter and drive in busy areas during peak times. This charge is designed to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and generate revenue for enhancing public transportation.
In London, for instance, a £15 congestion fee is applied to most cars and motor vehicles operating in Central London from 7am to 6pm on weekdays and from 12pm to 6pm on weekends and bank holidays (excluding the period from Christmas Day to New Year’s Day).
Could a congestion charge be introduced in Dubai to alleviate traffic, reduce pollution, and fund public transit? Khaleej Times consulted transportation experts and urban planners for their insights.
Dr. Monica Menendez, Associate Dean of Engineering for Graduate Affairs at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), explained, “A congestion charge serves as an economic tool to decrease traffic congestion. When the cost of something increases—whether it’s a product or road usage—the demand usually falls. Therefore, a congestion charge aims to discourage road use during peak times, potentially easing congestion and its associated issues, such as air pollution.”
She added, “The revenue generated from congestion charges could certainly be used to enhance more sustainable transportation options, such as public transit, which could further help reduce traffic congestion in the long run.”
For this approach to be effective, drivers need to have the flexibility to adjust their travel times, choose alternative routes, or use different modes of transportation, like buses or the metro.
Dr. Menendez emphasized, “Without such flexibility, demand may remain unchanged, and congestion levels may not decrease.”
Additional Costs for Motorists
A key concern with implementing a congestion charge is the potential additional cost to motorists.
Dr. Menendez noted, “While pricing is an effective economic tool for altering demand, people generally dislike paying more. Therefore, offering more flexibility in work hours or transportation options could help some avoid congestion fees.”
She suggested, “For example, flexible working hours could enable commuters to dodge higher fees during peak times. Introducing competitive alternative transportation options might encourage drivers to switch modes. Additionally, offering discounts for vehicles with multiple occupants could promote carpooling and reduce the number of cars on the road.”
Will a Congestion Charge Function Like Salik?
Dr. Menendez pointed out that while congestion charges and Salik serve similar purposes, they operate differently.
“Congestion charges often have variable pricing that increases during peak hours, which incentivizes drivers to adjust their departure times, routes, or modes of transport,” she explained.
Urban planner and architect Aileen Llagas supports the idea of a congestion charge. She observed that a minimal congestion charge could effectively reduce traffic during peak times. “For instance, when Stockholm introduced congestion charges in 2006, it led to a 22 percent reduction in car traffic and a 15 percent decrease in vehicle emissions,” she noted.
Llagas also emphasized that a congestion charge should be paired with initiatives to promote carpooling and the creation of high-occupancy vehicle lanes to reduce dependence on individual cars.
Potential Implementation Areas
Dr. Mostafa Al Dah, founder of MA-Traffic Consulting, suggested that congestion charges could be effectively applied in high-density commercial areas such as Downtown Dubai and around the Burj Khalifa.
“The tariff could benefit both residents and tourists in these business hubs,” Dr. Al Dah explained, adding, “In the UAE, owning a car is relatively easier compared to Europe. Insurance rates and used car prices are lower here, making it easier for people to own cars, and some people may drive unnecessarily.”
CREDIT : Khaleejtimes