Initial phase of Muscat Area Traffic Study launched
The initial phase of the Muscat Area Traffic Study is being carried out utilising advanced technology to gather precise data and take suitable actions to adapt to shifts in traffic patterns, according to the Municipality.
This phase is expected to last around 6 weeks and will cover all wilayats in the Muscat Governorate, and data will be collected using pneumatic rubber tubes (PRT), drones, drones, cameras, mobile phone statistics, survey samples, and Google Maps. Automated traffic counts will be conducted at 45 locations, turning movement counts at 85 intersections and roundabouts, and 23 bridges Parking areas in selected congested areas will be surveyed to assess their rate of usage.
There are plans to resolve the traffic congestion in the capital with the implementation of some vital projects this year. Earlier speaking to the Observer, Eng Said bin Hamoud al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, "There are a lot of road projects that will be implemented in 2025, which include the expansion of Muscat Expressway, the November 18 road, and the remodelling of Burj Al Sahwa roundabout. Eng Khamis bin Mohammed al Shammakhi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology for Transport, said the Muscat traffic decongestion project will include the Al Mouj Street expansion.
"A government team specialised in addressing traffic congestion in Muscat Governorate is working in coordination and cooperation with the Muscat Governor's Office to find solutions." The remodelling of Burj al Sahwa Roundabout will include bridges and tunnels in addition to the expansion of the lanes, and it is expected that the tender will be issued before the end of this month."
Several questionnaires will be distributed among road users: An SMS-based origin-destination survey to understand the daily trips made by road users and the time taken for each. A direct interview-based stated preference survey to understand road users' preferred modes of transportation and the time and cost involved What is PRT Pneumatic road tubes (PRT), also known as pneumatic road traffic counters, are devices used for traffic monitoring and data collection on roads.
These tubes are made of durable rubber or plastic and are typically placed across the road surface to measure vehicle movements, including traffic volume, speed, axle load, and classification. How does PRT work? The pneumatic road tubes work by detecting changes in pressure caused by vehicles passing over them.
They consist of flexible rubber or plastic tubes filled with air. When a vehicle's tyres run over the tube, it compresses, causing a pressure change that is recorded by a monitoring device. They are usually connected to a data collection device, such as a traffic counter or a data logger, which records the information collected from the tubes. The tubes are typically installed perpendicular to the direction of traffic flow, and multiple tubes may be used to gather data on different lanes or directions.
Muscat Municipality had earlier invited a tender for consultancy services to study the traffic situation in the capital from specialised international companies with experience in the field of road and public transportation to identify current traffic patterns, peak times, volume, weak spots in the existing road network, and areas most prone to traffic congestion. The study is expected to improvements to the existing road network, future connections, and the governorate's needs for public transportation to keep pace with the growth of population and vehicles by taking into account development plans in urban and tourism sectors. The consultant will provide solutions to reduce traffic congestion in the short, medium, and long term on a priority basis. Muscat is the most densely populated governorate in the country with its six wilayats.
The Muscat Expressway project includes expanding the expressway from the Qurm traffic signal and will include new lanes, bridge widening, and upgrades at key interchanges, all within the existing right-of-way. The Muscat Expressway currently includes 15 interchanges. The Al Mouj and November 18th Street expansion project includes three lanes in each direction, traffic signals replacing roundabouts, and new service roads for commercial establishments located in the area.
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