The long-term effects of increased toll gates and dynamic pricing in Dubai may take up to a decade to fully manifest, according to an expert. Dr. Khaled Alawadi, an associate professor of Sustainable Urbanism at Khalifa University, explained, “There is a link between adding toll gates, improved air quality, and fewer accidents.” However, he added that to effectively reduce the number of vehicles on the road, residents need reliable alternatives in public transportation. “This shift may take anywhere from ten to twenty years to be truly felt in the city,” he said.

While the full impact may take time, some local residents are already noticing changes in traffic patterns since Salik introduced dynamic pricing and added two new toll gates in late 2024.

On January 31, 2025, Salik implemented dynamic toll pricing, where drivers pay Dh6 during peak hours (morning and evening) and Dh4 during off-peak hours on weekdays. Mohammed Iqbal, who works in Dubai Media City and begins his day at 6 a.m., is one of those benefiting from the new pricing structure. “I pass through two Salik gates, but since I travel before 6am, I get free trips one way,” he said, adding that he’s pleased with the changes.

With the new pricing system, toll charges are waived from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m., and on Sundays (excluding public holidays or special events), the fee is Dh4 throughout the day. “I’ve noticed an increase in traffic before 6 a.m. as people try to avoid the toll charges,” Mohammed observed.

Sanjana K.A., who lives in Karama, shared a similar experience. She recently benefited from the smooth traffic flow when running late to a meeting in Dubai Marina. “I used the Safa and Barsha toll gates, and the traffic was surprisingly smooth. I arrived ahead of schedule, but my Salik costs have gone up,” she said.

On the other hand, some areas are experiencing more congestion due to changes in traffic patterns caused by the toll system. Ayesha Nawaz, a resident of Dubai Creek Harbor, noted that there has been more traffic in her area as commuters avoid the toll on the Business Bay bridge. “In the evenings, the situation is tough. Many people take shortcuts through our community to reach Deira, Rashidiya, or Sharjah, resulting in longer travel times,” she said. “What used to take 5 to 8 minutes now takes 20 or more.”

Muhammad Anshah, from Jumeirah 1, also encountered heavy traffic on the first day of dynamic pricing. “It was a nightmare, with many drivers using Jumeirah roads to avoid the toll,” he said. “However, the traffic settled down after a day or two. It’s still heavier than before, but it’s not the same gridlock as on the first day.”

In November 2024, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) added two new toll gates in Business Bay and Safa, bringing the total to 10. The RTA’s aim is to encourage the use of public transportation and to redistribute traffic to alternative routes, such as Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Dubai-Al Ain Road, Ras Al Khor Street, and Al Manama Street. Motorists are also encouraged to use alternative creek crossings like Infinity Bridge and Al Shindagha Tunnel.

Dr. Khaled noted that while Dubai has made significant progress in public transportation, more work is needed to reduce dependence on private vehicles. “My team studied mass transit systems in seven GCC cities, and Dubai ranked second, with nearly 78 percent of the population serviced by public transport,” he said. “Future metro lines are strategically positioned to accommodate a growing population.”

He also stressed the need for further studies on travel behavior, as understanding people’s travel patterns is key. “We lack data on how people travel. Some go between two fixed locations, while others make multiple stops throughout the day,” he explained. “If someone’s routine involves several destinations, they’re less likely to use public transport.”

Lastly, Dr. Khaled emphasized the importance of having transit zones located within 300 to 500 meters in high-density areas. “Given the hot climate, it’s not convenient to walk long distances. If there’s a transit zone just a seven-minute walk away, people are more likely to use public transportation,” he said, citing areas like Creek and Al Fahidi as examples where transit zones are well-placed and shaded.

The DP World ILT20 continues to grow as the region’s premier tournament, not just for players but also for match officials. With the competition bringing together top-tier talent from around the world, ensuring high-quality officiating is just as crucial as the performances on the field. Australian umpire Simon Taufel, a five-time ICC Umpire of the Year, led the DP World ILT20 Season 3 match officials panel. Taufel has been instrumental in mentoring and guiding the officiating team with an aim of raising the standard of umpiring within the tournament.

Highlighting the significance of the DP World ILT20 and his role within, Taufel said, “This tournament is about growing cricket in the United Arab Emirates, and officiating is part of that objective. My role is to support the umpires, referees, and the officiating landscape here by helping create a pathway for their development and giving them access to international standards, just like the players.”

Officiating Standards at DP World ILT20

Ensuring high-quality officiating requires constant evaluation and benchmarking against global standards. Taufel provided insight into how the umpires have performed in the tournament, revealing impressive accuracy rates. “On average in this tournament, umpires have gotten 92% of their decisions right. Players only get their reviews right 22% of the time, while umpires make the correct initial decision 92% of the time. If you asked coaches and players whether they’d be happy with 9 out of 10 correct decisions, most would say yes. The ICC elite panel average is around 92-93%, which shows we are on par with that standard”, he concluded.

The Passion of UAE Officials

Match officials from the UAE, including the likes of Shiju Mannil, Akbar Khan, and Asif Iqbal played a crucial role in the tournament. Taufel was particularly impressed by their eagerness to develop their skills and adapt to the high standards of international officiating.

He said, “The passion of the officials here is like that across the subcontinent—they are incredibly enthusiastic and eager to learn. They aspire to officiate on television at the international level, and they are extremely coachable. One of our key efforts this year is to provide them with more resources to support their development. It requires significant investment and effort, particularly in performance management.”

Building on this, he explained the structured approach taken to ensure the progress and assessment of umpires, “We provide all our match officials with match-day reports for every game. I did 17 matches, and Roshan Mahanama also did 17. After each match, we compiled reports on the two on-field umpires and the third umpire—that’s a substantial amount of feedback and information.”

He further added, “We also created a development structure around the pre-tournament phase. We have a preparation day with the officials, covering playing regulations, interpretations, culture development, teamwork, and support on and off the field. It’s a lot of work, and most people don’t see that. But it’s what you do when no one is watching that makes you successful.”

The Role of Specialist TV Umpires and DRS

The DP World ILT20 has embraced the Decision Review System (DRS) to assist in ensuring accurate decision-making. For the second consecutive season, specialist TV umpires, including Paul Wilson and Leslie Reifer, were assigned to process reviews efficiently. Speaking on the significance of this role and the pressures that it brings on on-field umpires as well, Taufel remarked, “I think we all enjoy the theatre and drama of seeing a decision reviewed on the big screen. One of the key aspects we’ve introduced in this competition is specialist TV umpires who can process DRS reviews quickly and efficiently. For an umpire, having a decision dissected in front of thousands at the venue and millions watching at home can be an embarrassing experience. They have to process that instant feedback and refocus immediately, which requires immense mental strength. In fact, most of our game is mental, 99% of it.”

The Abu Dhabi T10 will return to the majestic Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi for its seventh season in the emirate on Tuesday 18 November – Sunday 30 November 2025.

The announcement comes just two months after the thrilling conclusion of the 2024 tournament, where Jos Buttler and the Deccan Gladiators triumphed in a dramatic eight-wicket victory over Morrisville Samp Army to claim their third title, cementing their position as the most successful team in T10 history.

“We are thrilled to confirm the dates for the 2025 edition of the Abu Dhabi T10,” said Matt Boucher, CEO of Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub. “Together with our strategic partners at Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, we made a strategic commitment in 2019 to develop this international cricket event and showcase the emirate of Abu Dhabi to the wider world. The 2024 edition delivered our strongest player field to date and another impressive season of domestic and international spectator and viewership interest.”

He continued, “As we move forward, we are focused on bringing even more innovation and creativity to the tournament, while further establishing Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a world-class destination for international sport.”

“Last year’s Abu Dhabi T10 was a wonderful blend of cricket and entertainment,” said T10 Global Chairman Shaji Ul Mulk.

“That came on the back of yet more expansion for the tournament to ten teams. The Abu Dhabi T10 has established itself as an important fixture on the UAE Cricket calendar, one that provides the UAE players with a fantastic opportunity to continue growing their skill set. With the announcement of the upcoming dates for 2025, we look forward to another world-class, highly engaging 12-day tournament.”

Since its inception in Abu Dhabi, the T10 has become a flagship event, firmly establishing itself as a standout fixture on both the UAE’s sporting calendar and the global cricket schedule. The 2025 edition will once again showcase the dynamic nature of cricket’s fastest format and provide UAE players with an invaluable platform to further develop their skills.