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9/2/24, 11:56 AM UAE Traffic: Would An 'Odd-Even Scheme' Help Ease Peak-Hour Jams?
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.
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