For the past five years, Scania’s super-dedicated R&D teams have turned over every stone to develop the most energy-efficient and sustainable combustion engine platform the heavy transport industry has ever seen. Here’s how they came up with the super-efficient Scania Super.

How do you improve an engine platform that has won the European Green truck award five years in a row? How do you develop a powertrain that will strengthen Scania’s industry-leading position within sustainable transport for the rest of this decade? How do you secure wins in future fuel consumption tests, an area in which Scania has a proud record that it doesn’t want to lose?

The developers at Scania Technical Centre who were given these assignments say the answers are: determination, innovation and customer focus.

Completely new platform
“We had the privilege to start with a blank slate and develop a completely new 13-litre engine platform,” says Assistant chief engineer Linda Pukk Berggren.

“Starting from scratch meant we could concentrate all our design work with the customers’ needs in focus, without restraints. That’s why we can now present a product that the transport industry really needs here and now to take the necessary steps towards a sustainable future,” she adds.

With the Super engine platform, Scania’s engineers struck the perfect (and delicate) balance between a high-performing engine and an aftertreatment system that is as efficient as possible in limiting emissions but at the same time is “non-intrusive” for the engine and lets it fulfil its potential.

“We reach up to 50% in brake thermal efficiency. This is quite remarkable and means that a whole new level of energy is going directly to the wheels. What is also important is that fuel consumption is significantly reduced for a very broad part of the engine speed and load area. This means that many different applications, such as long-haul, construction and forestry vehicles, will all benefit from the improvements and emit less CO2,” says Magnus Nilsson, technical mnager within Aftertreatment.

Thanks to this outstanding energy efficiency and other major updates in Scania’s powertrain – such as a new gearbox and a new range of driven rear axles – fuel savings of eight% or more can be reached for long-haulage operations. And that’s in comparison with Scania’s already industry-leading performance levels. Efficient just became super-efficient.

So, what’s ‘under the hood’ of the new 13-litre engine? Quite a lot, in fact.

New features include dual over-head camshafts, optimised injectors, improved combustion, an optimised high-pressure fuel pump, improved cooling and lubrication, increased turbocharger efficiency, and a state-of-the-art engine management system.

Not only that; Scania’s successful dual dosing Selective Catalytic Reduction system, which has been proven to offer excellent fuel saving capacity and increased productivity and uptime, has been remade from the ground up. The system has earned a name of its own: Scania Twin SCR.

“Our new Twin SCR aftertreatment system is an inventive ‘chemical factory’ designed to utilise the limited heat that exits the efficient engine. It is capable of dramatically reducing emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulates. The concept is also future-proof for stricter environmental legislation in the years ahead,” says Nilsson.

Dual over-head
Both Nilsson and Pukk Berggren say they have vivid memories of the five-year long development process. And, at more than two billion euros, it is one of Scania’s largest-ever investments in a new powertrain.

In 2019, Nilsson says the developer teams were quite puzzled when testing trucks with the new engine platform in the heat and high altitude of the Sierra Nevada mountains in southern Spain. The data indicated a significant reduction in fuel consumption of approximately 10% in some tests – compared to the current award-winning Scania product that will be replaced by the new platform.

“We were fault-checking the test equipment because we questioned the readings, especially as the exhaust flow was comparatively low. Exhaust flow is an important parameter for designing the aftertreatment system and for the catalyst sizing. The higher the exhaust flow rate, the shorter time the catalyst can use to reduce the emissions. The experiments were re-run and confirmed in test cells at R&D in Södertälje. And we realised: the new engine was that good; we actually achieved this significant reduction of mass flow and, more importantly, fuel during the tests,” says Nilsson.

For her part, Pukk has fond memories of driving the test trucks down to southern Spain.

“The feel of the trucks and the new powertrain was absolutely amazing. I couldn’t believe how quiet and smooth it was to drive the truck. It’s a personal memory that will stay with me forever,” she says.

Making coaching more efficient
With up to 5% less fuel consumption, coach operators should expect the most energy-efficient Scania coaches yet, which will also meet or even surpass emission targets. It’s crucial for coach operators to minimise the fuel consumption of their vehicles. Fuel is one of the main contributors to the total cost of operation, and margins are tight.

A further challenge is adapting to tough new environmental laws restricting Nitrogen Oxide and CO2 emissions. And coach customers increasingly expect sustainable travel, too.
Scania understands these ‘pain points’, and has put fuel efficiency and lower emissions at the heart of the new Scania bus and coach generation. Three years of intensive R&D have produced fuel consumption savings of up to 5%, depending on emission class (Euro 6, Euro 5, etc).

“At the outset of this project we set a target of reducing fuel consumption for our travel coaches by an average of four to five% from our previous model. I’m happy to say that we have achieved that, thanks mainly to the new powertrain,” says Niklas Berglund, expert engineer at Energy Consumption, Bus Chassis Development.

That the coaches are using the same types of driveline components from Scania trucks has also been beneficial.

“While the coach sector still lacks an equivalent energy use standard to city buses’ Standardised On-Road Test (SORT), the fact Scania trucks with these components have won the annual green truck award five years running, plus numerous other industry tests, means most comparisons in energy efficiency will be the same,” says Berglund.

The new engines also meet or even surpass the more stringent Eu6E emissions guidelines; reassuring for operators facing ever tighter regulations.

And, all Scania coaches and buses can be run on biofuel, a cleaner option and an important stepping stone on the way to fossil-free transport.

After three years of groundbreaking development, Scania is giving coach operators the most fuel-efficient, sustainable, comfortable and driveable vehicles yet.

“This is an important step forward for Scania. We have to lessen the amount of traffic that’s on the road, and buses have an incredibly important role to play in boosting public transport and sustainability,” says Berglund.

“My main hope from this new bus generation is that it will really open customers’ eyes to our tremendously good powertrain in terms of its energy consumption and emissions levels.

“And that they also understand that we can truly go not just nearer neutral in terms of fossil fuels, but switch to biofuels, where possible.”

Read the full article in the latest issue of Truck and Fleet Middle East magazine!

Source: TFME

DP World has broken ground on Phase One of its Jafza Logistics Park, which is billed as a purpose-built trading and logistics development. Located in Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), the park will accommodate the growing number of warehousing, processing and logistics activities carried out in Dubai.

According to a statement from DP World, the new facility will reinforce the success of the logistics cluster in Jafza, which has already grown by 14% since 2016. The project covers a total leasable area of over 46,000sqm, of which 87% will be allocated to warehousing. The remaining space is dedicated to office facilities.

Jafza Logistics Park businesses will be able to leverage DP World’s integrated end-to-end logistics solutions and expertise as a data-driven supply chain logistics provider. The park’s location between Jebel Ali Port, Al Maktoum International Airport, and Etihad Rail’s Jebel Ali station will facilitate the efficient and seamless flow of goods within the region and across the world, the statement explained.

The ground-breaking ceremony was attended by Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO & MD of DP World UAE & Jafza, as well as the company’s leadership team. He explained, “We recognise the critical role the logistics sector plays in enabling the growth of various industries around the globe. Jafza is aligned with key government initiatives, such as the Dubai Silk Road strategy, to boost economic growth. As the UAE continues to grow into a global processing and redistribution gateway, we have experienced a significant spike in demand for the logistics and warehousing space.”

He concluded, “We are building the Jafza Logistics Park in response to this increase in demand and to further boost the development of the UAE’s logistics sector. Logistics companies in e-commerce and similar growing segments can benefit from the park’s modern offerings, including digital trade enablement, competitive costs, and customisable units. We’re in discussions with a number of large customers that need 60 to 80% of the space and may need to commission phase two ahead of schedule.”

Source: TFME

Abu Dhabi’s AD Ports Group and the Red Sea Ports Authority (RSPA) have signed a Term Sheet and a Head of Terms agreement for major port projects along Egypt’s coastline, it has announced.

The first agreement will see AD Ports Group develop, operate and manage a multipurpose terminal in Safaga Port in a consortium with the Red Sea Ports Authority and the Egyptian Group for Multipurpose Terminals Company, the commercial arm of the Egyptian Ministry of Transportation.

The multi-purpose terminal project in Safaga Port is an important national project due to its strategic location on the Red Sea. Upon completion in 2024, the terminal will offer berths of up to 1,000 meters capable of handling all types of general, dry and liquid bulk cargo.

As part of the agreement, the new joint venture will provide port users with a wide range of marine services. These include services related to vessel traffic management, dangerous goods control, provision of navigation aids, fire prevention and firefighting, anchorage, dredging, as well as pilotage, towage, and mooring and unmooring solutions.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Lieutenant-General Engineer Kamel El-Wazir, Minister of Transport of Egypt, and signed by Major General Mohamed Abdel Rahim, Chairman the Red Sea Ports Authority; Rear Admiral Abdel Qader Darwish, Chairman the Egyptian Group for Multipurpose Terminals, and Saif Al Mazrouei, CEO of the Ports Cluster, AD Ports Group.

Kamel El-Wazir said: “These agreements are in line with the directions of His Excellency Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, aiming to make Egypt a global trade and logistics hub through the development of Egyptian ports at the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea coasts, and the constructive cooperation between Egyptian and UAE ports.”

Capt. Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group, said: “In line with our leadership’s vision to promote cooperation with fraternal Arab neighbours , we are pleased to extend our strategic relationship with the Egyptian authorities through these agreements, which cover a full range of services across multiple ports along the Red Sea coast. The Ministry of Transport has ambitious plans to boost maritime trade and transportation, and AD Ports Group stands ready to leverage its expertise and experience to support these vital development projects.”

The second agreement covers the development, operation, and management of cruise ship berths and terminals at Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada and Safaga ports, and to provide support services to help extend cruise tourism in Egypt. In addition, AD Ports Group will develop plans for cruise ships lines linking Abu Dhabi, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and Aqaba.

Under the terms of the agreement, AD Ports Group can carry out development work to enhance the experience of visiting tourists.

The memorandum was signed by Major General Mohamed Abdel Rahim, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Red Sea Ports Authority and Saif Al Mazrouei – CEO of the Ports Cluster, AD Ports Group.

The agreements are the latest in a series between AD Ports Group and maritime organisations in Egypt, including an agreement with the Egyptian Group for Multipurpose Terminals for the joint development and operation of Egypt’s Ain Sokhna Port.

Source: TFME

Later this month, I will be participating, hosting and generally running around like a maniac at the Truck and Fleet Conference – this year being hosted by the Radisson Red Hotel in Silicon Oasis, Dubai.

I suspect that one of the most important topics up for debate will be what happens when you can’t get new vehicles and parts into a market which is at its busiest for a number of years. It is also a market that is at its costliest for some time – perhaps ever.

In recent years, like many businesses, fleets have had to take on-board rising fuel costs and the introduction of VAT. Construction traffic and revenue is down in areas where the boom is residential and hospitality has subsided while competition for contracts has eaten away at margins. Through that period we have also seen the impact of Covid which has disrupted its way globally and locally re-shaped the needs of customers.

I would argue that a lot of the changes – like increased digitalisation in transport and logistics and the growth in e-commerce – we have seen will make fleet lives easier over the long-term. It is just frustrating they have come at a time when many fleets would’ve benefitted from a slower pace, so they could re-shape and plan at their own speed.

Even if you’re one of the fleets that are riding the wave of some of the more positive changes to the market, you may be being held back by an inability to ramp-up your fleet renewal. Simply put: You may want to buy a new truck but you probably can’t…or certainly not yet. For once, demand is outstripping supply with commercial vehicles production struggling with the globalised supply chain networks that we once took for granted unable to feed the market.

Last month I sat in on the Volvo Group quarterly reporting hosted by its CEO. A lot of ground was covered, but it was the insight into juggling the cost and logistics obstacles of getting new vehicles out into fleet hands that really caught my attention. Most OEMs have been pushing the services side of the business and the last two years have probably fixed that thinking with fleets needing to run their vehicles for longer.

It will be interesting to hear how the supply chain problems globally are affecting the Middle East fleet market during the conference. And most importantly of all, I will be asking the OEMs and distributors present how they can help fleets keep going while we all ride out this storm, particularly as we don’t always get the full fat version of their support here.

I suspect that for all the noise of technology revolutionising the fleet sector, the answer will be good old fashioned human contact. Talking of which, it will be great to have you there too!

Source: TFME

Taqeef, the originator of desert cooling systems in the UAE and the Middle East, supported ENOC’s Service Station of the Future at Expo2020 in its goal of achieving ‘Platinum’ certification with sustainable, state-of-the-art, energy-efficient cooling solutions.

The project is the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum-certified service station in the world, with the design inspired by the ghaf tree. The Service Station of the Future was fitted with 13 indoor and outdoor units of the new generation O General Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) technology to cool 300 of space.

Platinum is the highest possible rating under Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) – the most widely used green building rating system globally, and a mark of excellence for highly efficient, cost-saving sustainable design and construction.

“Taqeef has been at the forefront of championing air-conditioning technologies that achieve increasing levels of energy conservation beyond the referenced standard to reduce environmental impacts associated with excessive energy use. We are proud to have played a significant role in supporting ENOC in fulfilling its vision of a sustainable and technologically advanced concept,” commented Tariq Al Ghussein, CEO, Taqeef.

VRF systems are sustainable, cost-effective HVAC systems that offer many benefits, including energy savings, increased comfort, design and installation flexibility, lower maintenance costs, and quiet operation. Through these benefits, VRF technology offers the ability to obtain a significant number of points toward LEED certification.

With 50 years of HVAC leadership, Taqeef is setting the agenda for more conscious cooling – with cleaner, greener systems and designs in the residential and commercial sectors.  Backed by award-winning knowledge and service expertise, and economies in installation and low equipment life cycle costs, Taqeef’s insight and added value is helping reduce the impact of cooling on the environment, one degree at a time.

By utilising Taqeef’s O General VRF units, ENOC’s service station gained points in the following categories for LEED certification:

Category: Energy & Atmosphere (EA)

Prerequisite: Fundamental Commissioning of the Building Energy Systems

Prerequisite: Minimum Energy Performance

Prerequisite: Fundamental Refrigerant Management 

The VRF system does not use any chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-based refrigerant.

Credit: Enhanced Refrigerant Management 

Credit: Optimize Energy Performance

Category: Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)

Credit: Controllability of Systems – Thermal Comfort

Source: TFME

Source: TFME

Taking to the reporting stage at the end of a tumultuous start of the year, the CEO of Volvo Group, the maker of Volvo and Renault trucks, buses and Penta engines, Martin Lundstedt is putting on a serious tone despite a seemingly strong start to 2022.

“Economic activity continued to be good in Q1 2022 with high transport volumes and good construction activity in most markets,” he says. “We increased sales and improved profitability. Our net sales grew by 12% to SEK 105.3 billion. The high business activity combined with our growing service contract portfolio resulted in continued good service growth, which was up by 19%. Adjusted operating income (profit) increased to SEK 12.7 billion (11.8 in Q1/2021).”

Make no mistake, the numbers look good on paper as they carry over the divestment of UD Trucks to Isuzu – said to be worth over $2 billion in total – and an order book that remains healthy, but they also bely serious pressure in the supply chain.

“We achieved an adjusted operating margin of 12.0% despite a challenging supply chain situation,” he says. “Operating cash flow in the Industrial Operations amounted to SEK -5.4 billion (5.7 in Q1/2021), in part due to a build-up of inventory related to the unstable supply chain.”

“In the first quarter, the economic activity continued to be good with high transport and construction activities. In most markets, demand continue to be larger than dupply and in such times – and we have seen that now for a while – it is important to keep discipline in the order book management.”

He adds: “The supply chain continued to be strained, which caused disturbances and stoppages in production also in Q1. Order backlogs are extended and lead times long, and this has negatively impacted order intake.”

While the supply chain strains, transport activity across most regions is at good levels, and demand for trucks is high, the company is unable to match demand with supply.

“We have large order books and delivery times are long, and this has made us restrictive with order slotting, which has affected order intake negatively. We are doing everything we can to reduce the long lead times to our customers. We are restricted to booking firm orders, and the order intake isn’t currently a good indicator of the market activity going forward: the size of the order book, the fleet utilisation among our customers, the used trucks business, the service business and the customer finance activities, all these indicators are still strong and at healthy levels.”

“Despite these issues, truck deliveries increased by 6% to 55,600 vehicles which is a record for a first quarter. Net sales grew by 31% to SEK 69.6 billion. We have had extra costs due to the supply chain disruptions as well as higher costs for material and have worked proactively with price management to mitigate them. We expect that the inflationary pressure will continue. Despite these headwinds, our truck business achieved an adjusted operating margin of 12.5%.”

He continues: “Truck deliveries increased by 17% on the back of really hard and dedicated work along our supply chains, both internally, and externally. We are running our manufacturing system at a high level, with extra flexibility. And we see that this is paying off in terms of volumes. And also in positive market share developments in many markets.”

Throughout his review of the Group’s start to 2022, Lundstedt stresses that the numbers have been impacted by disruption in the Russian market. Since of the war in Ukraine in February and the sanctions that followed, all sales, services and production in Russia have been suspended. Effectively, dislocating the Swedish firm from its operation in the country and SEK 9 billion of assets says Lundstedt, adding that it estimates its losses over the quarter to be SEK 4.1 billion.

“The ongoing war is devastating for Ukraine and my thoughts go out to everyone who is suffering. We are doing what we can to support affected colleagues, families and communities. The group and many individual employees have donated funds to the Red Cross and UNHCR.

“Furthermore, our colleagues in neighbouring countries have teamed up with these organsations so that we can provide concrete local in-kind support that matches their needs. There are many examples of our colleagues going above and beyond to support the victims of this humanitarian catastrophe and we appreciate all their dedicated efforts.”

“We are doing what we can to support colleagues in the Ukraine and families, communities, customers and business partners that are affected by the war. There are many examples of our colleagues in the group in and around Ukraine, going above and beyond expectations to support victims of these humanitarian catastrophe and we really appreciate appreciate all the dedicated efforts done since the war started and sanctions were imposed. We are continuously assessing the situation to protect people and assets to the fullest extent possible from outside of Ukraine.”

He adds: “What we have seen so far when it comes to the capacity constraints and the supply chain constraints is not related to the situation in Russia.”

Unlike Russia, the Chinese market is both a critical component of Volvo’s global supply chain network as well as a key sales territory.

“Construction activity in Europe and North America has remained on good levels, driven by both the commercial sector and infrastructure investments. In the first quarter, the economic activity continued to be good with high transport and construction activities. In most markets, demand, continue to be larger than supply and in such times. And we have seen that now for a while. So in such times, it is important to keep discipline in the order book management.

“The Chinese market, on the other hand, continued to decline. Volvo CE’s net sales decreased by 9% to SEK 22.6 billion, primarily related to China (the adjusted operating margin amounted to 12.4% (15.4 in Q1 2021),” he reveals, adding that the market has shrunk by as much as 35%.

Of major concern, is its role as supplier of semiconductors and raw materials. He estimates that the total global sales could be down by as much as a 10% (and “maybe considerably north of that”) compared to a market where production is flowing easily.

“That is why we have been restrictive with order intake with the restraints that we see, not least the lockdowns we have seen in China recently. In deepsea logistics transport we do see a specific flows of semiconductors and electronics, but we should understand that in a normal truck depending on if it’s a fully electric, or if it’s an ICE truck, you have somewhere between 1,600 and up to maybe 3,500-,4000 semiconductors. So it’s really now a game where we are working supply chain by supply chain. You need to take step back and say, the Group trucks delivering the 6,500 trucks – which is a record for a first quarter – shows we have the methodologies and the organisation – and the competence – to work with it internally, and together with our supply chain. And we will continue to drive it like that.”

Read the full story in the May issue of Truck and Fleet Middle East.

Source: TFME

Facilities management (FM) firm Farnek plans to launch ‘Trendz’, which is billed as a new standalone hotel management company, at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM).

According to a statement from the firm, the solution offers a unique 360-degree service for hotel owners and operating companies with an accent on technology and sustainability – two of the most important trends in hospitality today.

Walter Knight, director of Hospitality at Farnek added, “Farnek, which has over 8,000 employees, has traditionally provided manpower and outsourcing services, such as cleaning, security and property maintenance. However, ‘Trendz’ takes that market proposition one stage further, managing front office requirements, reservations, concierge, housekeeping and room service – we can also manage sales operations, marketing and PR. It is a cost-effective and totally flexible hospitality proposition. Hotels can engage with us for specific operational requirements or contract us to manage an entire property, either under the ‘Trendz’ brand or as a white label product.”

One of Farnek’s most recent accomplishments was the development of its ‘Flexi-Guest’ app, which digitalises the guest journey from pre arrival to check out. The in-house developed app interfaces with a hotel’s property management system (PMS), affording guests a whole suite of services from uploading travel documents, such as vaccination certificates, ordering a car on arrival, room service and laundry. The hotel app can also send automated electronic updates and alerts to the guest, as well as e-registration documents, e-invoices and e-receipts, all in one convenient space, the statement explained.

Knight noted, “This gives the guest an enhanced experience, providing a seamless pre-arrival and check-in procedure. They can order room service in advance, have laundry picked up or delivered, request early or late check outs, view and pay invoices with secure online payments. If the guest experience is good, that develops loyalty and improves online ratings. The hotel operates more efficiently, saving staff time and expense and has the added advantage of driving revenue through F&B and e-concierge services.”

As per the statement, the firm just completed a successful trial of the app, having secured a contract for the Expo Village, situated on the EXPO 2020 site. Farnek was responsible for managing the reservation services, concierge, front office services and housekeeping, for 2,273 apartments during the show.

Sustainability is key to Farnek’s hospitality strategy and Flexi-Guest can estimate the carbon emissions generated by any guest during their stay and provide a cost should the guest wish to offset their carbon footprint. Indeed, visitors to Farnek’s stand at ATM, will be able to measure their own carbon footprint, with an option to contribute to a range of sustainable projects to offset their impact on the environment, while participating in the show, the statement concluded.

Source: TFME

A five-year sustainability plan for 2021-2025 has been endorsed by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The move is said to be part of the firm’s strategic goals and objectives aimed at supporting sustainability and are based on environmental, societal, and economic drivers of sustainability.

The step is taken as part of RTA’s efforts to improve maturity levels of sustainability and become one of the most sustainable government entities in the field of roads and transport worldwide, said a statement.

“RTA’s integrated sustainability plan is an important step towards assuming a leading global role in smooth and sustainable mobility. The plan is aligned with several UAE strategies, such as the UAE Green Development Strategy 2030, and the UAE Centennial 2071. It is also compatible with Dubai’s local policies, highlighted by Dubai Plan 2030 and Dubai Urban Plan 2040, as well as global policies such as the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 A genda,” said Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA.

He added, “The sustainability plan considers the assessment of all RTA’s projects and initiatives. It measures the environmental, societal and economic impact of RTA’s sustainability projects, and the extent to which such projects are linked with the important topics disclosed in RTA’s annual sustainability report.”

According to Al Tayer, the plan is also compatible with Dubai’s local policies, highlighted by Dubai Plan 2030 and Dubai Urban Plan 2040, as well as global policies such as the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda. It encompasses 20 projects: nine for the environmental leadership, six for community leadership, and five for economic prosperity in the context of RTA’s sustainability framework, Al Tayer said.

He added, “The plan is set to have a significant environmental impact on reducing carbon dioxide emissions, enhancing the resilience of public transport infrastructure and its impact on climate change, and achieving RTA’s strategic objective of enhancing safety and environmental sustainability.”

It is said to include several innovative public transportation projects and supports the Dubai Smart Mobility Strategy that aims to convert 25% of total transportation trips in Dubai into self-driving trips on various transportation means by 2030. It also supports the integration of mass transit in Dubai.

In line with the RTA’s strategic objective of asset sustainability, the economic dimension of the plan provides for the optimal utilisation of all of RTA’s assets, while maintaining the quality of service offered to residents of the emirate. The economic projects aim to achieve a circular economy and support RTA’s plan for recycling 100 percent of the waste of RTA’s operations and projects by 2030, the statement concluded.

Source: TFME

Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced that the Saih Al Dahal Road Project will be opened to the public in May, following an extensive revamp project.

In a statement, the RTA said that the project will link Saih Al Salam Road with Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, and that the old single-lane road is being removed and replaced by a dual carriageway extending 11km and comprising of two lanes in each direction.

A median and three roundabouts to ease movement in all directions have also been developed. The new road will link with the entry points of Al Qudra Lakes, the statement added.

“The project aims to increase the road intake from an existing 1,800 vehicles to 4,000 vehicles in each direction to accommodate the continued growth in traffic volumes and ease the mobility of residents and visitors to the oasis on both sides of the road, desert areas and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority.

“The project starts from the R/A at the junction of Saih Al-Dahal Road with Saih Al-Salam Road in the North, immediately after Al Qudra Cycling Station, and heads to the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in the South. It encompasses the construction of a new road of two lanes in each direction together with three R/As along the road to ease the accessibility of road users to the oases on both sides of the road, Al Qudra Lakes, desert areas as well as U-turns.”

“The project complements a series of projects completed by RTA in the area, such as the 23 km long Dubai Cycling Track, which links with the existing cycling track at Saih Al-Salam running alongside Al Qudra Road at the Gateway of the Dubai Cycling Track in the direction of the Emirates Road. From there it links with the Latifa bint Hamdan Road, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Al Barari district and up to Nad Al Sheba community. The cycling track at Saih Al-Salam, which extends about 115 km, is fitted with several amenities including outlets for renting bikes and accessories, a fully-equipped clinic, and 10 rest areas along the cycling path fitted with seats and bike racks,” he added.

RTA has accomplished several development projects in the area including the widening of Saih Al-Salam Road over a 21 km stretch from Al Qudra roundabout, nearby the cycling rest area, up to the intersection with the Dubai-Al Ain Road via Al Lisaili and Al Marmoom, the statement continued.

Nine roundabouts are being constructed at junctions to ease the traffic flow and enhance the traffic safety of the neighbourhood. Additional projects also included the construction of four camel and horse crossings, a cycling track, service roads, parking spaces, and widening of the existing parking area at the Dubai International Endurance Village in addition to street lighting and rainwater drainage networks.

Source: TFME