E45 Road Upgrade Project

Project Description

The E45, Sheikha Salama Bin Butti Street in Madinat Zayed is undergoing a transformative upgrade to enhance capacity, improve traffic flow, and create a more efficient transport corridor. This project expands the existing 3×3 and 2×2 carriageways, seamlessly linking Mohammed Al Falahi Al Yasi Road with Sheikha Salama Bin Butti Main Street to accommodate growing mobility demands.
As part of this enhancement, eight key junctions were upgraded, alongside the introduction of a new signalized intersection to optimize traffic movement and improve safety. The project also prioritizes sustainable mobility, integrating dedicated walkways and cycle tracks, ensuring safer and more accessible routes for pedestrians and cyclists. With a posted speed limit of 80 kph, the improvements are designed to enhance connectivity while maintaining smooth and controlled traffic flow.

Challenge

The expansion of an urban road corridor presents critical road safety challenges that require careful planning and management. Changes in circulation patterns from new junctions and access points can lead to driver confusion, improper lane usage, and increased collision risks. Vulnerable road users (VRUs) may face disruptions to existing pedestrian and cycling networks, requiring safe integration of new crossings and pathways. The placement of new roadside assets like signals and signage must ensure clear visibility, while adjustments to signal timing and speed management are crucial to prevent high-severity crashes. Construction staging and temporary traffic management must minimize disruptions and maintain safety for all users. Finally, ensuring driver awareness and smooth adaptation to the new road layout through clear signage and markings is essential to creating a safer and more efficient transport corridor.

Solution

A series of road safety enhancements were recommended to improve traffic flow, lane alignment, and junction clarity while enhancing pedestrian safety. These measures aim to improve separation between conflicting traffic movements, optimize lane configurations for smoother traffic progression, and enhance junction visibility and geometry to reduce confusion and potential conflicts. Additionally, we have proposed measures to improve pedestrian accessibility, ensuring safer crossing opportunities and minimizing the risk of pedestrians being stranded in unsafe areas. Our recommendations are designed to create a safer, more organized, and efficient road environment for all users.