Dubai unveils GCC's first road pricing scheme

The first road-charging scheme in the Middle East is being implemented in the region's capital of congestion: Dubai.A "congestion zone" is being created stretching between Garhoud Bridge in the North of the city and Shaikh Zayed Road near Mall of the Emirates in the South.From July this year, any car entering or leaving the zone will be charged Dhs4.
Dubai Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) studies state that 8,000 vehicles per hour currently cross Garhoud Bridge during peak hours in both directions and 130,000 vehicles per day use Shaikh Zayed Road.The RTA hopes that the charges will reduce traffic by around 25%, which at 97,500 vehicles per day will net the Dubai government Dhs142.4 million ($47.4 million) per year.No details have been released on how this money will be spent, but the news has been announced in the same week that the Road Traffic Authority unveiled plans for a stunning new headquarters.The toll system, which has been optimistically called "Salik", the Arabic for "clear", will be operational in both directions so motorists will be charged Dhs4 as they enter and as they leave the congestion zone.It will operate 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.As the plan stands, drivers will be able to avoid the tolls by entering the Salik zone via other roads. Drivers from Sharjah to the Dubai International Finance Centre, for example, could take the Emirates Road at no charge.However, tollgates will be installed at additional routes into and out of Dubai as they become necessary.