News

Traffic Congestion in Cities is Getting Worse

The challenge of managing traffic in major global cities demands interdisciplinary research. At NYU Abu Dhabi, researchers like Monica Menendez, associate professor of civil and urban engineering, are working to understand and improve the complex and interrelated networks that make up urban life.

In the News

Etihad Rail: How high-speed trains could reshape the UAE
The country’s latest big project could transform public transport, boost the economy and may make people happier.
The National | January 26, 2025

Dubai set to follow in footsteps of Paris and New York to create pedestrian city
A major plan to transform Dubai into a “pedestrian-friendly” city could connect inaccessible neighbourhoods, as well as encouraging mobility and healthier lifestyles, experts say.
The National | December 10, 2024

Dubai: More residents call for flexible work hours as Salik, parking fees go up next year
Integrating variable pricing with expanded public transportation and flexible working hours can effectively reduce congestion during peak times and traffic-generating events.
Khaleej Times | December 4, 2024

How can cities in the Middle East be more livable?
In order to make cities more livable, we should prioritize investments in a range of mobility options designed around people, not vehicles. 
Fast Company Middle East | November 7, 2024

Dubai: Can dynamic pricing at Salik toll gates ease traffic jams?
Can dynamic toll pricing reduce traffic by encouraging drivers to switch transportation modes, adjust travel times, or cancel their trips? What would be needed for this to happen? Will it work in Dubai?
Khaleej Times | October 18, 2024

Dubai Metro at 15: how trains transformed a city
It was all change for Dubai's growing public transport network when the first metro on the Arabian Peninsula was launched 15 years ago today. How has it transformed the city?
The National | September 9, 2024

UAE traffic: Would an ‘odd-even scheme’ help ease peak-hour jams?
Would it help if we removed a certain number of cars off the road on certain days of the week to reduce traffic? Would an ‘odd-even scheme’ – that is being implemented in some major cities in the world – help ease peak-hour jams? Dr. Menendez discusses some pros and cons of implementing such scheme in cities like Dubai.
Khaleej Times | August 30, 2024

Experts explore congestion charge as possible solution to ease traffic
In this regard, Dr Menendez said: "Pricing is a very effective economic tool to change the demand. However, we all typically hate the idea of paying more for something. Thus, adding more flexibility when it comes to working hours or mobility optinos would allow some people to circumvent the congestion fees."
Khaleej Times | August 12, 2024

Dubai: Can traffic be eased by imposing congestion charge?
Can congestion charge be rolled out in Dubai to reduce traffic, cut pollution, and raise money for mass transit? Khaleej Times asked transportation experts and urban planners to share their views.
Khaleej Times | August 10, 2024

UAE: How residents can enjoy low ‘summer traffic’ all year round
There are lessons that can be drawn here to understand the changes in traffic flows during school days and school holidays. Khaleej Times spoke to urban planners and transportation experts who shared practical solutions and proposed measures that can be implemented so residents can enjoy less traffic not only during summer.
Khaleej Times | July 31, 2024

New Dubai Metro stations: '20-minute city' to help residents save time, money
Expanding Dubai Metro in the next few years will definitely help residents save time and money, according to experts and urban planners. The goal, however, is not only to extend the transport network but to improve liveability in neighbourhoods, which the government describes as the ‘20-minute city’ plan.
Khaleej Times | July 7, 2024

'Desperately waiting': Dubai residents say new metro stations will help save money
Dr. Menendez discusses how transit-oriented developments can definitely change the landscape of Dubai, which is often seen as a car-focused city.
Khaleej Times | July 4, 2024

Paid parking in Dubai: Residents face up to Dh4,000 extra yearly costs when new rates kick in
Dr. Menendez discusses the rationale for introducing parking tariffs from the point of view of an urban planner, and comments on the pros and cons of this type of traffic management strategy.
Khaleej Times | June 25, 2024

How can the Middle East balance urban growth and equity?
Almost two-thirds of the population of the Middle East live in cities, and this is expected to increase further, making the region among the most urbanized in the world. Dr. Menendez discusses potential paths to achieve sustainable growth and equity, while developing resilient urban environments.
Fast Company Middle East | January 9, 2024

People-Centric Urban Transportation: Why urban planners need to think about communities, not cars
Dr. Menendez discusses how technology and data can empower decision-making, allowing cities to tailor solutions that are efficient, sustainable, and most importantly, people centric.
Construction Business News | November 30, 2023

Sustainable living is central to teachings of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism: First panel discussion by Abrahamic Family House
The principles of sustainable living and environmental stewardship have been central to the teachings of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism for centuries, said Abdulla Al Shehhi, Acting Executive Director of the Abrahamic Family House.
Emirates News Agency WAM| September 25, 2023

Sustainable living is central to teachings of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, say scholars
Panel discussion at Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi explores how religious teachings among faiths promote sustainable living practices.
Khaleej Times | September 25, 2023

Dubai’s population is surging. How can it prepare?
An increase of about 90,000 in 12 months requires further careful planning, experts say.
The National | June 17, 2023

NYUAD researchers study traffic management in 25 cities
New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) is offering new insights about urban traffic management to create improved systems for traffic modelling and management.
Gulf News | February 8, 2022

NYUAD study offers new insights about urban traffic management
New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) is offering new insights about urban traffic management to create improved systems for traffic modelling and management.
Emirates News Agency WAM | February 7, 2022

Leveraging information and new technologies to design a more livable and sustainable city
Dr. Menendez illustrates how she researches and develops eco-friendly transportation technologies.
UAE Pavilion at Expo 2020: Land of Dreamers Who Do | May, 2021

UAE: New tool to help predict, ease traffic
Researchers used a year of high-resolution traffic data to demonstrate that any daily traffic pattern observed that year fell within a few representative patterns.
Khaleej Times | May 19, 2021

NYU Abu Dhabi researcher co-develops new tool to help predict and manage traffic flow
New predictive traffic tools co-developed at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) may allow traffic engineers to identify traffic patterns early in the day by monitoring the traffic performance of a few roads.
Abu Dhabi Education Guide | May 19, 2021

Covid-19: Researchers design innovative solutions to tackle virus
Four projects initiated by different teams at New York University Abu Dhabi.
Khaleej Times | May 15, 2021

UTD19 - Largest multi-city traffic dataset publically available
Monica Menendez, in close collaboration with her colleagues Lukas Ambuhl, Allister Loder, and Kay Axhausen from ETH Zurich, just published a large-scale traffic dataset from over 23,541 stationary detectors on urban roads in 40 cities worldwide, making it the largest multi-city traffic dataset publically available.
September 7, 2020

#StayHome made world greener; now we have to keep it that way
Covid-19 restrictions have led to several environment gains and #StayHome also allowed people to see mobility in a new light. Now, experts are looking into the challenge of sustaining these positive changes.
Khaleej Times | May 26, 2020

Monica Menendez, NYU Abu Dhabi – Sharing the Road
Monica Menendez, associate professor of civil and urban engineering at NYU Abu Dhabi, looks into the best way to move people around a city.
Academic Minute | April 14, 2020