Page 72 - SALIK PR REPORT ENGLISH AUGUST 2024

a permanent or semi-permanent basis, other cities have used it only on
specific days. The policy, often implemented to mitigate air pollution, has
seen different levels of success,” she told Khaleej Times.

Pros and cons of the scheme

Dr Menendez noted: “In theory, the odd-even scheme is a very direct and
relatively easy way –assuming the right level of enforcement – to remove cars
from the roads and mitigate traffic congestion and air pollution.”
“It would seem equitable – since everyone is potentially affected the same,
independent of their income or social status. However, this is not necessarily
the case, as households with more cars are typically less affected,” she added,
explaining: “The policy might cause that people with more means end up
buying more cars, and continue moving by private transportation every day
of the week.
“This could actually lead to higher vehicle ownership rates, a larger demand
for parking, etc,” said the NYUAD professor of civil and urban engineering,
who is also director at Research Centre for Interacting Urban Networks.

Targeted approach
The question now is: How can odd-even scheme be effectively implemented
in a metropolitan city like Dubai?
Dr Menendez suggested: “One option – rather than implementing the odd-
even scheme city-wide – would be to implement it on specific roads or areas
of the city.
“Either way, it is crucial to ensure that people have alternative options to
move around. Thus, improving public transportation and other alternative
transportation modes seems the key,” she added.
Meanwhile, in a previous story by Khaleej Times earlier this month,
transportation experts and urban planners also shared their views on rolling
out congestion charge or tariff on motorists to enter and drive around busy
areas at certain times of the day. In some parts of the world, it is being used
to reduce traffic, cut pollution, and raise money for mass transit.
Dr Menendez, however, underscored: “There is no single strategy that can
solve all traffic-related problems. Thus, we should think about a combination
of strategies aiming to improve the efficiency of both the road transportation
system and other alternative transportation modes, while deploying schemes
that discourage the use of cars by promoting more sustainable and climate-
friendly modes of transit.

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/transport/uae-traffic-would-an-odd-even-scheme-help-ease-peak-
hour-jams