标签： Africa

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has implemented an unprecedented security and traffic management operation for New Year’s Eve celebrations, mobilizing over 5,500 personnel and activating a network of 10,000 surveillance cameras across the emirate. The comprehensive system enables real-time monitoring of roadways, public transportation networks, and station facilities, allowing authorities to respond immediately to congestion points and potential emergencies.

According to Salahaldeen Almarzooqi, Director of Intelligent Traffic Systems at RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency, planning for the 2026 celebrations commenced immediately following the previous year’s events. “We utilize all available resources, technological capabilities, accumulated data, and historical lessons to enhance each subsequent year’s operations,” Almarzooqi stated. The strategic deployment combines experienced staff with new team members to ensure both operational continuity and training development.

The authority has prepared for increasing passenger volumes, with public transport and taxi usage growing from 2.2 million to 2.5 million passengers between the 2024 and 2025 New Year’s Eve events. This year’s transportation infrastructure includes 14,000 taxis operating throughout Dubai, with more than 5,000 specifically allocated to Downtown areas where the primary celebrations occur.

The operation employs AI-powered sensors and control rooms that assess traffic conditions in real-time, implementing gradual road closures as needed. Rolling closures began at 4pm across multiple areas including Downtown Dubai and Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR). Senior management and crisis response teams remain on standby throughout the event, maintaining continuous inter-agency coordination to ensure public safety and transportation efficiency during one of Dubai’s most significant annual celebrations.

Dubai authorities have implemented an extensive traffic management strategy for New Year’s Eve celebrations, with officials strongly discouraging private vehicle use and emphasizing public transportation alternatives. Salahaldeen Almarzooqi, Director of Intelligent Traffic Systems at Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), outlined comprehensive safety measures designed to handle the anticipated massive crowds during the year-end festivities.

The coordinated plan involves early road closures around key celebration zones including Downtown Dubai and Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), with restrictions commencing from 4:00 PM and escalating progressively throughout the evening. Almarzooqi emphasized that public cooperation remains crucial for successful implementation of the safety protocols during one of Dubai’s most congested nights.

A critical component of the advisory focuses on prohibiting illegal parking, particularly along high-speed corridors like Sheikh Zayed Road. Authorities warned that vehicles stopped on highways or roadside shoulders create significant safety hazards, potentially obstruct emergency services, and will incur substantial penalties. “This regulatory measure prioritizes both individual safety and collective security on our roadways,” Almarzooqi stated.

The RTA has substantially augmented public transportation options, extending metro and tram operations to approximately 43 continuous hours while deploying over 14,000 taxis throughout the city. Dedicated taxi fleets will service high-density celebration areas to facilitate efficient crowd dispersal post-midnight. Dynamic digital signage across Dubai’s road network will provide real-time updates on traffic conditions, road closures, and alternative routes.

Authorities encourage revelers to monitor RTA’s official social media channels for instantaneous updates and to comply with instructions from deployed traffic police and security personnel. “Through advance planning, patience, and collaborative effort, we can ensure that New Year’s Eve in Dubai proves both memorable and safe for all participants,” Almarzooqi concluded.

Dubai’s transportation authorities have unveiled an extensive, multi-location traffic management blueprint for New Year’s Eve celebrations, with Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) joining Downtown as a primary focus area. The comprehensive strategy involves phased road closures, enhanced public transport deployment, and strict pedestrian management to accommodate massive crowds while ensuring public safety.

According to Salahaldeen Al Marzooqi, Director of Intelligent Traffic Systems at Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), JBR has emerged as the city’s second most popular NYE destination, necessitating specialized traffic coordination with event organizers, security teams, and property developers. The area will undergo gradual access restrictions beginning at 4pm with pedestrian walkway closures along the beachfront, progressing to full road closures by 11pm that will transform the vicinity into an extensive pedestrian zone.

Simultaneously, Downtown Dubai will experience phased arterial road closures starting at 4pm, affecting key thoroughfares including Al Asayel Street, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, and Burj Khalifa Street. Additional segments will close incrementally throughout the evening, with Sheikh Zayed Road undergoing gradual closure between Al Meydaan intersection and Commercial Centre roundabout from 11pm onward.

The RTA has implemented exceptional public transport measures to support the strategy, deploying 700-1,000 dedicated taxis specifically for JBR alongside 360 buses for crowd movement and park-and-ride operations across the emirate. Metro and tram services will operate continuously for approximately 43 hours to facilitate movement. Taxi ranks will operate throughout the night with enhanced signage directing visitors to transport hubs.

Authorities have issued strict warnings against illegal parking, particularly on high-speed roads surrounding event areas, emphasizing that roads within JBR will prohibit stopping or parking entirely. Residents, hotel guests, and restaurant patrons received advance notification of closures through developers to enable early movement planning.

Al Marzooqi emphasized that public transport represents the safest and most efficient option for high-density celebrations, stating: ‘Our priority is people’s safety and comfort. With proper planning and cooperation from the public, JBR celebrations will be enjoyable and well managed.’ The coordinated approach aims to balance accessibility with safety as Dubai prepares to welcome hundreds of thousands of revelers.

Major UAE aviation hubs are implementing enhanced travel protocols to accommodate the anticipated surge in passenger traffic surrounding New Year 2026 celebrations. Dubai and Sharjah international airports have issued comprehensive advisories urging travelers to adjust their schedules and utilize alternative check-in options during this period of heightened activity.

With January 1 declared an official public holiday and many organizations permitting remote work on December 31, aviation authorities project significant congestion from December 31 through January 5. Emirates Airlines has formally recommended that all departing passengers arrive at Dubai International Airport a full four hours before their scheduled flights, accounting for anticipated road congestion and limited parking availability.

Sharjah Airport authorities have similarly advised travelers to arrive three hours before departure, while encouraging Air Arabia passengers to utilize urban check-in facilities. Both airports are promoting distributed check-in solutions to alleviate terminal congestion, including innovative city-center options.

Emirates offers multiple remote check-in alternatives: The DIFC City Check-In facility at ICD Brookfield Place provides complimentary parking and baggage handling up to four hours pre-flight, with bonus Skywards Miles incentives through January 15. Ajman Central Bus Terminal hosts a 24-hour check-in service, while premium customers in Dubai and Sharjah can access complimentary home check-in services with baggage collection.

Public transportation represents a key component of the congestion mitigation strategy. Dubai Metro’s Red Line provides direct Terminal 3 access with frequent service, offering reliable airport connectivity amid anticipated road traffic complications. Aviation officials emphasize that pre-selecting seats and verifying travel document validity remain crucial for efficient processing.

Sharjah’s Matajer Al Mussala facility enables baggage drop-off up to 48 hours before flight time for a nominal fee, with additional city check-in locations operating at Al Barsha Mall, Safeer Mall, and Al Ain’s Morafiq complex with tiered pricing structures.

The coordinated advisory reflects comprehensive planning by UAE aviation authorities to maintain operational efficiency during one of the region’s peak travel periods, balancing celebration-related congestion with maintaining the UAE’s reputation for aviation excellence.

In a deeply personal disclosure during a BBC interview addressing violence against women, Queen Camilla has broken her decades-long silence about surviving a physical assault during her teenage years. The 78-year-old royal recounted the traumatic incident that occurred aboard a train, marking the first time she has publicly confirmed the attack previously detailed in a September serialization of a royal biography in The Times.

Reflecting on the harrowing experience, Her Majesty revealed: ‘I remember at the time being so angry. I was reading my book and you know this boy – man – attacked me, and I did fight back.’ The Queen emphasized the lasting emotional impact of the assault, noting how the memory ‘lurked for many years’ following the incident.

The conversation emerged during a broader discussion about gender-based violence, a cause the Queen has championed through various charitable endeavors and advocacy work spanning many years. While Buckingham Palace had previously remained silent on the matter, Camilla’s decision to share her experience adds significant weight to ongoing national conversations about women’s safety and trauma recovery.

According to the biographical account published earlier this year, the assault occurred when Camilla was approximately 16 or 17 years old aboard a train destined for London’s Paddington Station. The narrative described her courageous response—using her shoe to strike the assailant in self-defense—and subsequent identification of the attacker to railway officials, leading to his apprehension. Although the Queen did not explicitly confirm these specific details during her interview, her acknowledgment of the core incident validates the essential facts.

The Queen’s disclosure comes at a time of increased scrutiny regarding violence against women in the United Kingdom, with her personal testimony offering both solidarity to survivors and highlighting the pervasive nature of such experiences across all segments of society. As the second wife of King Charles III, who ascended to the throne in 2022, Camilla has increasingly used her platform to advocate for vulnerable populations, particularly those affected by domestic and sexual violence.