Dubai authorities recommend remote working and flexible hours to ease traffic congestion in the emirate
If endless traffic in Dubai has been a sore point for you, there could be an answer to the same! Authorities are considering measures to enhance traffic efficiency by expanding the application of flexible working hours and remote work policies.
According to two recent surveys, both public and private sectors have been encouraged to adopt these practices to reduce traffic congestion and balance business productivity with quality of life.
The recommendations are based on surveys conducted by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and the Dubai Government Human Resources (DGHR) Department to assess the current state of remote work and flexible hours in the workplace.
The study found that adopting flexible working hours with a two-hour start window and allowing four to five remote workdays per month for public and private sector employees could cut morning peak travel time by a whopping 30 per cent.
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For instance, if 20 per cent of employees work remotely, traffic on major roads like Sheikh Zayed Road could drop by 9.8 per cent, while Al Khail Road could see an 8.4 per cent reduction.
The survey results indicate that 32 per cent of private firms currently offer remote work, while 58 per cent are ready to expand these policies.
Additionally, 31 per cent of companies have adopted flexible working hours, and 66 per cent of those without this policy are considering its implementation.
Mattar Al Tayer, Commissioner General for the Infrastructure, Urban Planning and Well-Being Pillar, and Abdulla Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director-General of the DGHR, held a meeting to discuss the results and the next steps in promoting these practices.
“Remote work and flexible working hours are among the traffic demand management policies aimed at achieving balance and integration in the transport system by reducing or redistributing demand across time and place while promoting sustainable transport options,” said Al Tayer.
“These policies also include the expansion of truck movement restrictions, increasing dedicated lanes for buses and taxis, and providing first and last-mile options to encourage residents and visitors to use public transport instead of private vehicles,” he added.
Al Falasi explained that the remote work system has become a key component of Dubai’s government workplace culture, with impressive results across various sectors since its introduction within the Dubai Government in 2020.
According to recent statistics, 80 per cent of government entities now offer employees the option to work remotely for two days a week.
The shift towards flexible working has been received positively by employees who report higher productivity and improved alignment with personal needs. Given that the world operated smoothly while remote working during the pandemic, it’s not a stretch for organisations to consider hybrid or remote working options today.
Fingers crossed!
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