The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), an organ of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport, has unveiled the ‘2024 Abu Dhabi Transport Impact Studies Guidelines’.
The initiative is part of Abu Dhabi’s commitment to boosting urban planning efficiency and supporting a sustainable transport system. The development involved the collaboration of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) alongside the Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra municipalities, in addition to consultants and developers.
The updated guidelines mark a significant step forward in establishing a robust framework for traffic impact assessment of new developments, incorporating modern standards that foster sustainable planning, reduce congestion and enhance residents’ transport experience.
To boost assessment accuracy and determine their impact on the transport network in Abu Dhabi, the guidelines introduce a comprehensive set of technical standards and pioneering analysis methods. They ensure the implementation of integrated and effective transport projects that drive sustainability and align with Abu Dhabi’s development goals. Additionally, the guidelines ensure that such projects meet the safety standards.
Abdullah Hamad Al Ariani, Acting Executive Director of the Planning and Strategic Affairs Sector at Abu Dhabi Mobility, commented that, “These guidelines represent a significant step forward in enhancing the efficiency of Abu Dhabi’s transport network. They provide an integrated framework for evaluating the impact of development projects, ensuring sustainable urban growth and effective traffic management.”
A key standard is the expanded evaluation scope for various types of projects, whether small or large, considering the potential traffic impacts on infrastructure.
They also include advanced analytical methods such as traffic simulation models and strategic assessments using STEAM+ simulation systems, ensuring the accuracy of forecasts and outcomes. Urban design standards in the guidelines prioritize pedestrians, public transport, and cycling, to support sustainable mobility and enhance traffic flow.
The study’s standards include updated study submission procedures, enhancing the mechanisms for submitting and reviewing studies by Abu Dhabi Mobility to ensure they are completed in a timely manner and to expedite the approval process. The guidelines also assist in identifying planning requirements and provide detailed guidance on the preparation of transport impact studies.
The updated guidelines enable developers and stakeholders to undertake precise traffic studies, ensuring that new projects fall in line with existing infrastructure and meet Abu Dhabi’s urban expansion and population growth needs. By mitigating carbon emissions and cultivating safer, greener urban spaces, the guidelines will play a crucial role in driving Abu Dhabi’s sustainability goals.
As part of this initiative, Abu Dhabi Mobility will hold workshops for relevant stakeholders, including municipalities such as Abu Dhabi Municipality, Al Ain Municipality, and Al Dhafra Municipality, in addition to a number of consultants and developers, in accordance with the updated guide, to ensure effective compliance.
