In 2023, motorists across the UAE experienced a significant increase in traffic congestion, with delays ranging from 8 to 33 hours.
Increase in Traffic Congestion Across the UAE
This uptick in commute times was primarily driven by the country's post-pandemic population growth and a corresponding rise in traffic levels, according to the latest data from Inrix.
The analysis revealed that traffic jams were the main factor contributing to the increased travel times compared to the previous year. Dubai saw a notable spike, with drivers losing 33 hours in traffic jams in 2023, up from 22 hours in 2022. This increase coincided with the emirate’s population growth, which saw nearly 100,000 new residents in 2023 alone.
A long-term UAE citizen named Anum Noor noticed the differences in travel time while commuting between Sharjah and Dubai for business every day. In 2023 and 2024, there was a clear uptick in traffic. The journey from Sharjah to Sheikh Zayed Road used to take one hour in the morning and two hours in the evening. However, she mentioned that it now takes about 1.5 hours in the morning and over 2 hours on her way back.
Waqas Saghar, who delivers goods across various locations in Dubai and Sharjah, echoed similar sentiments. “Traffic within the emirates of Dubai and Sharjah has also increased. I deliver goods to customers across different locations in the two emirates daily; I barely manage to complete my work within my time because of the increased traffic,” he stated.
Data from Dubai toll operator Salik also reflected this trend, showing an increase in registered vehicles from 3.7 million at the end of 2022 to 4.0 million by the end of 2023.
Traffic Delays in Other Emirates
In Abu Dhabi, motorists experienced 20 hours of traffic delays, up from 12 hours the previous year. Umm Al Quwain saw a significant increase, with delays jumping from 2 hours in 2022 to 15 hours in 2023. Al-Ain and Fujairah had 9 and 8 hours of lost time, respectively, in 2023. The UAE's capital’s population also grew rapidly, surpassing Dubai in 2024 to reach nearly 3.8 million residents.
The post-pandemic economic boom has led companies across all sectors in the UAE to ramp up hiring, which in turn has spurred population growth and increased traffic congestion.
In response to the worsening traffic situation, the UAE is planning to launch an air taxi transport system next year, which aims to significantly reduce travel time between Dubai and Abu Dhabi to just 30 minutes. This innovative solution is expected to alleviate some of the pressure on road traffic and shorten commute times within the emirates.
The study by Inrix examined 947 urban areas worldwide, focusing on commute times to and from major employment centers within urban areas and their surrounding neighborhoods. Globally, New York topped the list of the most congested areas in the 2023 Inrix Global Traffic Scorecard.
Overall, the increased traffic congestion in the UAE highlights the challenges posed by rapid urban growth and economic expansion. As the country continues to develop, addressing traffic issues will be crucial to ensuring smooth and efficient transportation for its residents. The introduction of new technologies, such as air taxis, represents a promising step towards mitigating these challenges and improving the overall quality of life in the UAE.