Page 97 - SALIK PR REPORT OCTOBER 2024

The viral post enumerated corresponding amounts – from free to Dh8 – based on off
and peak hours that would presumably take effect when two new Salik gates would
become operational next month. Salik said the information was entirely inaccurate.

But it was not the first time that the idea of introducing dynamic toll gate pricing was
floated as a means to reduce congestion on Dubai’s busy roads.

Back in September 2022, Salik said in its IPO announcement: “The Roads and
Transport Authority (RTA) could implement dynamic pricing through optimising the toll
rates depending on the time of the day, for example, by charging a higher toll fee for
specific lanes or during peak hours.”

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Currently, Salik is charging a fixed a fee of Dh4 every time a vehicle passes any of the
toll gates across the city. The company earlier said: “There are other dynamic systems
around the world that charge more during peak hours than off-peak hours… The
dynamic pricing structure is related to adopting any changes that come in the future,
including flexible tariffs or increasing the number of gates to manage traffic. The
Executive Council of Dubai will take a final decision in this regard.”

Potential to take cars off the road

Managing the roads in Dubai is critical especially as the city’s population is projected to
hit 4 million by 2026. So, the question is: Can dynamic toll gate pricing help decongest
Dubai roads?

Dr Monica Menendez, associate dean of Engineering for Graduate Affairs at New York
University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), told Khaleej Times: “It is possible that – especially at
the beginning – some drivers change their behaviour in order to avoid the higher toll
prices.

They might choose to travel at different times, take alternative routes, use other modes
of transportation, or even cancel their trips altogether. If this occurs, certain roads —
particularly those with tolls — may experience reduced congestion during those
periods.”

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/dubai-can-dynamic-pricing-at-salik-toll-gates-decongest-
roads