Dubai reveals NYE traffic management plan, road closures

A comprehensive traffic and security management plan is in place for New Year’s Eve celebrations in Dubai.

The emirate's Events Security Committee said that a total of 11,972 personnel, including 5,574 police officers and 1,525 patrols, civil defence and ambulance vehicles, will ensure the smooth management of the festivities.

The committee, which includes 55 government and private entities, said that 32 locations across Dubai will feature fireworks displays, with notable sites including Burj Khalifa, The Beach, Bluewaters (JBR), Palm Jumeirah and Kite Beach, among others.

Road closures in the Downtown Dubai area on Sunday, December 31, are expected from 4:00 pm onwards, but public transportation will continue to operate.

Dubai Metro's Red and Green Lines will run for 40 continuous hours from 8:00 am on Sunday, and so will Dubai Tram, from 9:00 am on New Year's Eve.

However, the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station will close at 5:00 pm or earlier if capacity is exceeded.

Free public bus shuttle services and additional parking options will be available to ensure smooth celebrations.

The comprehensive traffic management plan for 2024 New Year's Eve celebrations in Dubai. #MyDubaiNewYear2024 pic.twitter.com/2TnscjyPLk

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) December 27, 2023

A new security mechanism is being implemented this year, dividing the emirate into four sectors to improve the efficiency of operations. These sectors consist of the North, with eight celebration locations, Central, covering 15 locations, West, with 14 locations, and the Maritime sector.

Several viewing areas have also been arranged for the worker community. Equipped with six viewing screens and food services, these zones will allow workers to enjoy the festivities safely while helping avoid congestion in the city.

Major General Abdullah Ali Al Ghaithi, Assistant Commandant for Operations Affairs at Dubai Police and Chairman of the Events Security Committee, urged the public to cooperate with the police and follow instructions.

He added that several supply tents in Downtown Dubai will offer services for lost and found items, first aid, logistical support, assistance for lost children, visitor guidance and more.

Road Closures

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard will be closed from 4:00 pm on December 31. Those with reservations in the Boulevard area or Dubai Mall should arrive before 4:00 pm.

The lower Financial Centre Road will also be closed from 4:00 pm, while the upper Financial Centre Road and Al Sukook Street will be closed from 8:00 pm.

In addition, Al Asayel Street, from Oud Metha Road towards Burj Khalifa, will be closed from 4:00 pm and it will serve as an emergency route and bus layby.

The Future Street will close from 4:00 pm on the stretch between Za’abeel 2 Street and Al Meydan Street. It will remain closed until the festivities conclude.

Metro and Tram Services

The Dubai Metro will operate continuously for 40 hours from 8:00 am on Sunday, December 31, until midnight on Monday, January 1.

The Dubai Tram will also operate for 40 hours, from 9:00 am on Sunday, December 31, till 1:00 am on Tuesday, January 2.

Additional Parking

Nine-hundred additional parking spaces will be made available outside the event area. Public transport buses will operate from these parking areas, including 500 slots at Al Wasl Club and 400 at Al Jafiliya (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs), starting from 3:00 pm.

Public Transport Services

A total of 230 shuttle buses, including 20 double-deckers, will serve Metro stations and taxi stations.

Taxi stands will be set up at Al Wasl Club to ferry people away from the major venues.

Buses departing from Sheikh Zayed Road towards Abu Dhabi will ferry people from Burj Khalifa Metro Station to Onpassive Metro Station, while those departing from the service road on Sheikh Zayed Road will ply to the taxi stands at Al Wasl Club and Al Jafiliya to Deira City Centre.

Buses departing from Financial Centre Road will proceed to Al Khail Road, Al Wasl Club, and Al Jafiliya Parking. Additional bus routes on Burj Khalifa Street will culminate at Deira City Centre Metro Station.

Buses operating from Business Bay Metro Station (on Sheikh Zayed Road) will also ply to Deira City Centre Metro Station.

Directional Signage and Traffic Management

Directional signs will be installed around the Burj Khalifa area to facilitate pedestrian movement to the event zone and towards bus locations and Metro stations.

Traffic signals on Financial Centre Road and Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard will be monitored and controlled from the control centre to ensure smooth traffic flow during peak hours in coordination with Emaar's operations room.

Smart traffic signs will be deployed to alert road users about necessary closures and direct the public to use alternative routes and parking areas. Pedestrian bridges and elevators on the Dubai Water Canal will be closed to ensure the general safety of the public.

Dubai Municipality’s Comprehensive Plan

The civic body confirmed the readiness of its 2,700 executive and field teams that will fan out across all celebration sites in the emirate.

The comprehensive plan covers health and safety, food safety, supervision of public parks and recreational facilities, management of the emirate's beaches and water channels, and management of waste operations.

The municipality's teams will pay particular attention to key areas such as Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Hills, Festival City, City Walk, Burj Al Arab, Burj Al Khor, Souk Al Bahar, Jumeirah Beach Residences (JBR), and Palm Jumeirah.

They will also oversee festivities at the Global Village, Zabeel Park, Dubai Frame, and public beaches, including Jumeirah (1, 2, 3), Umm Suqeim (1, 2), Al Sufouh, Jebel Ali, Al Shurooq, Al Mamzar Beach and Corniche, in addition to the external roads leading to the gathering places for various events.

Waste Management

Dubai Municipality has deployed 242 supervisors and monitors and 2,281 sanitation workers to maintain cleanliness around celebration sites and surrounding areas.

They will manage waste removal and ensure the roads remain spick and span, also providing over 300 waste storage facilities in crowded locations.

The municipality has contracted 630 private sector sanitation workers for specific sites like industrial and residential areas, besides desert spots. They will be supported by over 500 volunteers from the public.

Public Health and Food Safety

Dubai Municipality's health and safety teams, comprising 63 inspectors and supervisors, will carry out field visits to ensure compliance with health and safety standards for pathways, entrances, elevators, escalators, water systems, floors, indoor air quality, logistics arrangements like electrical extensions and safe storage, besides crowd management plans.

Food safety teams, including 27 inspectors, will carry out checks at shopping centres, hotels, restaurants, and other food establishments across event sites.

Public Facilities, Parks and Beaches

Dubai Municipality has allocated a team of 75 monitors and inspectors to manage public parks, recreational facilities, and fireworks sites. A control centre at Dubai Frame will oversee team operations.

The municipality will also ensure warning signs are in place indicating designated gathering areas and emergency exits and that fire extinguishers are readily available at all sites.

A team of 8 monitors and inspectors, in direct coordination with Dubai Police, will secure the emirate's beaches. Lifeguard services and security will be efficiently ensured, especially on night beaches, providing the highest levels of visitor safety.

Dubai Civil Defence

Dubai Civil Defence will deploy more than 947 firefighters, including officers and non-commissioned officers, across celebration sites.

These elite units and specialised teams will be supported by more than 106 modern multi-purpose vehicles and logistical support teams, ready to respond to emergencies around all 24 civil defence centres in Dubai.

Ambulance Services

A total of 178 ambulances, four boats, 556 paramedics, and 35 supervisors will be on standby for 46 events across Dubai.

Dubai Ambulance vehicles will be stationed in vital areas, with seven vehicles and 16 paramedics in Dubai Mall, six ambulances and 12 paramedics each in Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, JBR, Bluewaters, and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard (Burj Khalifa).

The Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services has also allocated 18 ambulances, an operations room, 18 support tents for emergency services, five first responder vehicles, six electric bikes, two ambulance buses, and a field support unit.

Additionally, 34 additional ambulance points have been earmarked across various areas like Jebel Ali, Bur Dubai, rural areas, and Deira, plus five ambulances for the Hatta Festival, supported by 12 paramedics and a field support unit.

Dubai’s Events Security Committee announces comprehensive plan for New Year’s Eve Festivities

- A total of 11,972 personnel and 1,525 patrols and civil defence and ambulance vehicles will be deployed

- Fireworks displays will take place in 32 locations across Dubai, with… pic.twitter.com/Njc5q7RNqY

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) December 27, 2023