Free-flow tolling in United Arab Emirates

Tolling model

This page currently covers Dubai, where road tolling is run by Salik, a public joint stock company majority-owned by the Government of Dubai. Under a concession with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Salik holds the exclusive right to operate, manage and develop Dubai’s toll system; new gates require a decree and an RTA traffic study.

Technologies

The Salik system has no toll booths. RFID windscreen tags are read at full speed and linked to prepaid accounts, while ANPR cameras provide a complementary vehicle-identification and enforcement channel.

Main operators

Salik, under the supervision of the RTA.

Main projects

• Salik road toll: launched on 1 July 2007 with two gates, at Al Garhoud Bridge and Al Barsha. Two gates opened in November 2024 at Business Bay Crossing and Al Safa South, bringing the total to ten.
• Variable pricing: since 31 January 2025, Dh6 at peak times, Dh4 off-peak and free between 1 am and 6 am.

Free-flow maturity

Very high in Dubai: the toll system has been fully barrier-free since its launch in 2007. Other emirates are not yet covered on this page.