Abu Dhabi Road Safety Action

Plan 2011-15 & The U.N. Decade

of Action

Majed Al Kathiri,
Head of Traffic Services Section
Abu Dhabi Municipality (UAE)

A Worldwide Challenge.
From the World Health Organization:
Key Facts

About 1.24 million people die each year as a

result of road traffic crashes.

Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death, people aged 1529 years.

91% of the world's fatalities on the roads occur in low-income and

middle-income countries, these countries have only half of the world's vehicles.

Half of those dying on the worlds roads are vulnerable road users:
pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

WHO predicts by 2020 road accident s will be the 3rd greatest cause of death
will rise from 1.2 to 2 million people annually

A Worldwide Tragedy.

And .

Only 28 countries (416 million people) (7% of the worlds population), have
adequate laws that address all five major risk factors
(speed, drink-driving, helmets, seat-belts and child restraints).

Roadway traffic accidents are one

of the top 10 causes of death worldwide.

Roadway traffic accidents are 100% preventable

This is a global tragedy

A Decade of Action for Road Safety

2011-2015

UN Resolution, adopted May 10, 2010

Goals:
Stabilize and reduce road traffic
fatalities around the world
Increase activities conducted at the
national, regional, and global levels.

A Leadership Role

The Abu Dhabi Experience

2007-11
According to Abu Dhabi Health
Authority

The Response
forming safety joint committee

In the UAE 928 annual deaths

Promotion of Road Safety improvement

worldwide

In Abu Dhabi 372 annual deaths

(1 per day)

Priority attention focused on Road

Safety in the Emirate

Single greatest cause of accidental

death in the Emirate
(62% of accidental fatality)

Abu Dhabi Road Safety Action Plan

Membership in the UNRSC (2012)

STSC: Abu Dhabi Road Safety Action Plan

Safety and Traffic Solutions Committee (STSC)

Department of Transport (DoT) in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Police
Department of Municipal Affairs

New Engineering Designs, Manuals and

Standards

Traffic Management
Road Safety
Urban Street Design
Traffic Calming
Pedestrian Environment

STSC: Abu Dhabi Road Safety Action Plan

Enforcement Awareness and Public Education

Road Code
Driver attention and behaviour
Driver Education
Annual Regional and International Safety
Conferences
Public awareness campaigns
Ongoing training and professional development

Physical Surveys and Infrastructure

Improvement Plans

Road Safety Audits

Network Wide Risk Assessment
School Safety Plan
Sector Safety Improvement Plan

Network Wide Risk Assessment ARRB Group

Report
Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) 2011

Vehicle based, automated survey of areas and corridors where there

is a high risk of traffic fatalities
Arterial Corridors in Abu Dhabi
Municipality (Island and Mainland)
Major roadway functional design,
safety and control characteristics
6,844 observations
2,384 high risk priority 2012-15

ARRB Report Data Categories and Summary

Category
Accident review
Bus Lay-by
Geometry
Lighting
Marking and Lining
Other 1
On-street parking
Pavement Condition
Pedestrian
Roundabout
Roadside Objects
Signage
Signalised Junction
Grand Total
Percentage

High
AC
BL
GE
LI
ML
O1
PA
PC
PE
RA
RO
SI
SJ

2
52
364
37
185
115

578
119
413
469
50
2,384
34.8%

Mediu
m
2
171
5
881
1
27
42
1,335
147
985
2
3,598
52.6%

Low

7
204
1
25
297

328
862
12.6%

Grand Total
2
54
542
42
1,270
1
143
67
2,210
119
560
1,782
52
6,844
100.0%

Safety Improvement Plan Context

Safety Improvements projects initiated:

plan 2011 2015

Cover all high Risk

300 million Dhs

Sector Safety Improvement Plan Context

Abu Dhabis urban planning layout is a street grid:
Major roadways serve as dividing boundaries; Areas within these boundaries
are called Sectors :
383 planned Sectors in the Municipality
basic geographical organization of the city
contain all properties; residential, commercial,
recreational, institutional, and industrial etc.
Secondary roadways, parking, and
pedestrian elements are internal to sectors

Sector Safety Improvement Studies

ARRB study is augmented by internal sector studies
Traffic and pedestrian safety oriented
Similar categories to ARRB study but on a
smaller scale

Manual collection of data and images

Medium to low risk
Identify and summarize internal sector
problems and prepare for remediation
Prepare RFP to initiate contractor repairs.

Sector Safety Improvement Plan

Best Practice improvements where ARRB data indicates high risk
Best Practice improvements that will prevent roadway related
injury
Contract repairs and upgrades
to high risk areas

all 383 city sectors:

Island and Mainland locations
Budget estimated at
300 millions AED
2013-15 fiscal years

Improvements - Speed Cushions and Guardrails

Before:
Median barriers are
low and unprotected

After:
Barriers are
cushioned and
medians protected
by guardrails

Improvements - Drop Kerbs

Before:
Median barriers are
low and unprotected

After:

Barriers are
cushioned and
medians protected
by guardrails

Improvements - Zebra Markings/Drop Kerbs

Before:
Pedestrian Crossings
marking faded and
not speed protected

After:
Speed tables and
drop kerbs added for
ease of use and
speed control

Improvements - School Zones

Before:
School zones
unmarked and
unprotected

After:
School zones
clearly posted
and designated

Improvements - School Zones

Initial Condition:
Pedestrians unable to
cross 6 lanes of traffic
moving at speed

New Condition:
13 Pedestrian Bridges
added;
13 more to be built

Improvements - Pedestrian Bridges

Initial Condition:
Pedestrians unable to
cross 6 lanes of traffic
moving at speed

New Condition:
13 Pedestrian Bridges
added;
13 more to be built

Improvements - Signage and Signalization

Initial Condition:
Signage is
contradictory and
signals impede traffic
movement

New Condition:

Signage is organized
and advanced signals
move pedestrians and
traffic better

Improvements - Gateway and Transition

Initial Condition:
Sign pollution and
driver hesitation

New Condition:
Visual cues to
improve speed
control and
channeling, and
driver clarity and
decision time

Improvements - Median or Dividing Island Fences

50 km of fencing added to route pedestrians to crossing areas

Sector Safety Improvement Plan - Common Problems in

Sectors

Poor parking
design/habits

Damaged and
dangerous walkways

Blocking
pedestrian
walkways

Discontinuous
pedestrian routes

Sector Safety Improvement Plan - Common Problems in

Sectors

Missing signage

Missing
School
Zones

Poor lighting

Missing
pedestrian
crosswalks

Sector Safety Improvement Plan - Common Problems in

Sectors

Roundabouts and
intersections

Poor
Design
Geometry

Area control
to improve sight
lines and prevent
illness

Road Accidents per Year

(2007 2010)

Results
36% reduction in roadway fatalities over 3 years
10% reduction in fatalities last year,
despite 6% more vehicles and 8%
more drivers

Reduction in roadway accidents 9%

An established higher design and

construction standard

Improved way finding and speed control

Significant improvement in pedestrian

safety, especially for families

Thank You !