Beginning on Friday, October 25, the speed limit on Tripoli Street will go up from 80 to 100kmph in the sector from Emirates Road to Nouakchott Street, and to 90kmph from Nouakchott Street to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Police announced on Wednesday.

“Increasing the speed limit to 100 kmph does not apply to the entire Tripoli Street as it applies to non-urbanised areas between Nouakchott Street and Emirates Road. The speed limit on the remainder of Tripoli Street (between interchanges of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Nouakchott Street) has been set to 90 km/h,” Eng. Maitha bin Adai, CEO of RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency, explained.

“These changes take into consideration key engineering factors addressing the lack of compliance with the set speed limits, and the use of best traffic enforcement measures in accordance with the correlation between optimal speed rates and the traffic flow. The existing speed limit signs will be changed to reflect the new speed limits of 90 and 100 kmph. Changes will also include directional and cautionary signs as per the approved standards to ensure safe and smooth transport for all,” she added.

Major General Eng. Advisor Mohammed Saif Al Zaffein, assistant commander-in-chief for Operations Affairs, Dubai Police, said: “Measures will be taken to adjust speed cameras and set them to match the new speed limits as per the prevailing practices in Dubai. RTA and Dubai Police are engaged in continuous consultation in examining the current speed limits on some roads that need to be adjusted, and take appropriate actions in line with the vision of Dubai Government aimed at enhancing the traffic safety on Dubai roads.”

According to the RTA, “the decision to raise the speed limit on Tripoli Street has been taken in coordination with the Dubai Police following elaborate studies conducted by Traffic and Roads Agency in line with Roads Engineering Design Manual and Dubai’s Speed Management Manual.”

“Current speed limits are being revised as part of RTA’s traffic safety studies continuously commissioned on vital roads across Dubai. Lowering or increasing speed limits depends on the road condition and the surrounding environment, and is decided in coordination with the strategic partners.

“The speed limit is judged by a host of engineering factors such as the designed road speed, actual speed observed by most motorists (85th percentile speed), urbanisation rate on both roadsides, pedestrian movement, and the availability of vital facilities. Consideration is also given to the level of crashes experienced, and the traffic volumes of the road.”