H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, recently assessed the innovative initiatives undertaken by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to enhance urban mobility and infrastructure.
Main Roads Development Plan
Among these initiatives is the AED16 billion ($4.35 billion) Main Roads Development Plan for 2024-2027, which will introduce 22 projects throughout Dubai’s growing road network. This plan aims to benefit over 6 million residents and align with Dubai’s extensive development objectives.
Focus on autonomous transport and AI
During the review, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed examined various projects related to autonomous transport and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in traffic management, all designed to improve mobility within Dubai. He was joined by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, and Abdulla Al Basti, secretary-general of The Executive Council of Dubai. They were welcomed by Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, along with several senior officials from the RTA.
Growth in public transport usage
Sheikh Hamdan reviewed a presentation that showcased the rise in public transport users, which currently accommodates 2.2 million riders daily. The presentation also highlighted the evolution of the road network, bridges, and cycling paths in Dubai from 2006 to the present. The road network has expanded from 8,715 lane-kilometers to 18,990 lane-kilometers, reflecting a remarkable 117 percent increase.
Significant infrastructure improvements
Additionally, the number of lanes across Dubai Creek has increased from 16 to 61, a significant 281 percent rise. The construction of vehicle bridges and tunnels has surged from 129 to 1,070, marking a staggering 729 percent increase. Pedestrian bridges and tunnels also saw growth, rising from 26 to 129, which includes structures associated with the Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram, equating to a 396 percent increase. Cycling tracks have been extended from 9 km to an impressive 557 km, representing an extraordinary 6,088 percent growth.
Plans for future cycling tracks
The RTA plans to further enhance cycling tracks to link coastal areas such as Jumeirah, Al Sufouh, and Marina with external tracks in Al Qudra, Saih Al Salam, and Nad Al Sheba via Al Barsha and Dubai Hills.
Traffic indicators overview
Sheikh Hamdan received a detailed briefing from His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer regarding Dubai’s traffic statistics. The number of vehicles in Dubai during daytime hours has reached 3.5 million, with a 10 percent increase in registered vehicles over the last two years, compared to a global average increase of 2–4 percent. The population is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.6 percent until 2030.
Global journey time index ranking
Despite the substantial growth in traffic volume, Dubai maintains a strong position on the global journey time index. According to the 2023 TomTom Global Traffic Index, the average journey time for a 10 km trip within the central business district is 12 minutes and 50 seconds, compared to 16 minutes and 50 seconds in Singapore, 19 minutes in Montreal, 21 minutes in Sydney, 22 minutes in Berlin, and 36 minutes in London.
Overview of road project plans
Sheikh Hamdan was updated on RTA’s road project initiatives, which include 22 projects, one of which is the Latifa bint Hamdan Street development set to begin next year. This project spans 12,200 meters from its intersection with Al Khail Road to Emirates Road and includes 8,100 meters of bridges. It will serve over 1 million residents, increasing capacity by approximately 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions and reducing travel time by 15–20 percent.
Meydan road development details
The plan also encompasses the Meydan Road development project, which will involve 10,600 meters of roads, 3,300 meters of bridges, and three tunnels totaling 1,500 meters, benefiting around 1 million residents. This project is anticipated to add capacity for 22,000 vehicles per hour in both directions and decrease travel time from Umm Suqeim Street to the extension of Meydan Street to just four minutes.
Al Mustaqbal Street and Trade Centre updates
Sheikh Hamdan reviewed the development plans for Al Mustaqbal Street and Trade Centre Roundabout. This project includes the construction of bridges and tunnels totaling 6,200 meters, which will enhance road capacity from 9,000 to 12,000 vehicles per hour, reflecting a 30 percent increase. It will also cut travel time from eight minutes to three minutes and 30 seconds, benefiting over half a million residents and visitors.
Trade Centre roundabout project details
The RTA has awarded the contract for the Trade Centre Roundabout development project, which consists of five bridges totaling 5,000 meters to facilitate smooth traffic flow in all directions. The roundabout will be transformed into a surface-level intersection regulated by traffic signals to enhance traffic flow, reducing delays from 12 minutes to just 90 seconds. By the end of this year, RTA will also award the contract for the Al Mustaqbal Street development project.
Umm Suqeim and Al Qudra project overview
Sheikh Hamdan was additionally informed about the development plans for Umm Suqeim and Al Qudra Streets, covering a 16,000-meter stretch from the Jumeirah Street intersection to Emirates Road. This project will involve the construction of four intersections, including 2,500 meters of bridges and 2,000 meters of tunnels. This expansion will increase road capacity from 8,400 to 12,600 vehicles per hour and drastically reduce travel time from 46 minutes to just 11 minutes, benefiting over 800,000 residents.
Al Fay Street Development Project
Furthermore, Sheikh Hamdan learned about the Al Fay Street Development Project, a critical corridor in the emirate that extends from Al Khail Road at its intersection with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, traversing through Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street up to Emirates Road. This project includes 12,900 meters of road construction and the development of five intersections, along with 13,500 meters of bridges. It aims to provide additional capacity for approximately 64,400 vehicles per hour, benefiting around 600,000 residents.
Al Safa Street upgrades
Sheikh Hamdan also reviewed the Al Safa Street development project, which stretches from Sheikh Zayed Road to Al Wasl Road. This initiative entails the construction of 2,100 meters of tunnels, including a two-lane tunnel offering direct access from Al Safa Street to the City Walk project, as well as 650 meters of bridges. These upgrades are projected to increase the street’s capacity from 6,800 to 9,400 vehicles per hour and cut travel time from 20 minutes to just two minutes, benefiting approximately 358,000 residents.
Continued focus on mobility enhancements
In addition to these projects, Sheikh Hamdan explored autonomous transport initiatives and the integration of AI in traffic management to further enhance mobility in Dubai. He reviewed RTA’s plans to expand the Dubai Tram network, which includes a study on implementing trackless tram systems at eight locations across the city. This cutting-edge, self-driving tram system operates on virtual tracks, utilizing camera-guided painted lines on dedicated lanes. It is environmentally friendly, with lower costs and faster construction timelines compared to traditional trams. Each tram consists of three carriages, accommodating 300 passengers, with a maximum speed of 70 km/h and an operational speed ranging from 25 to 60 km/h. A single charge allows the tram to travel up to 100 km.
Achievements of Dubai Tram
Sheikh Hamdan also evaluated the operational milestones of the Dubai Tram, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary on November 11, 2024. Since its inception, the tram has completed 950,000 journeys, served 60 million passengers, and experienced an 850 percent increase in ridership since its launch. The tram system boasts an impressive punctuality rate of 99.9 percent.
Future plans for bus and taxi lanes
Sheikh Hamdan was informed about RTA’s plans to extend Dedicated Bus & Taxi Lanes in 2025 and 2026. This extension will introduce six routes covering 13 km, bringing the total length of dedicated lanes to 20 km. These lanes are expected to boost ridership by 10 percent, improve bus arrival rates by 42 percent, reduce bus travel time by 41 percent, encourage public transport usage, and alleviate traffic congestion. Furthermore, these lanes are designed to support Dubai’s Self-Driving Transport Strategy 2030, with projected economic benefits estimated at AED2.3 billion over the next decade. They will also facilitate autonomous, electric-powered buses.
Introduction of autonomous buses
Sheikh Hamdan was briefed on an autonomous bus equipped with the latest AI and self-driving technologies, ensuring maximum safety. With a speed of 40 km/h, this bus is intended for first and last-mile transport, connecting major transit hubs with final destinations. It can accommodate 10 to 20 passengers, serving as a practical solution for sustainable urban mobility.
Commercial transport platform overview
Sheikh Hamdan also reviewed the Commercial Transport (Logisty) Platform, a digital service developed in collaboration with the private sector aimed at enhancing commercial transport services for business clients. This platform manages commercial vehicle fleets, offering on-demand booking and tracking, vehicle and driver verification, and a reliable registration database. It supports Dubai’s Commercial and Logistics Land Transport Strategy 2030, connecting customers with transport providers.
Cycling tracks network and initiatives
Additionally, Sheikh Hamdan examined the dedicated cycling tracks network, which spans 557 kilometers and supports an estimated 44 million cycling trips annually, alongside 2.3 million soft mobility trips. He also attended a presentation on the Smart Cycling Tracks Scanning Initiative, which employs a specially equipped vehicle to scan 120 kilometers of cycling tracks in just four hours, compared to only 10 kilometers using traditional visual assessment methods. This initiative aims to establish preventive, predictive, and proactive maintenance strategies for cycling tracks and their infrastructure, ensuring track quality, enhancing user safety, and promoting sustainability across the cycling network.
Implementation of the green road system
Lastly, Sheikh Hamdan reviewed the ‘Green Road’ safe driving system, which provides real-time alerts to drivers of the 1,395 public transport buses regarding traffic safety violations. This system monitors and displays driver behaviors, including sharp turns, speeding, sudden braking, lane changes, and unsafe acceleration. The implementation of this system has improved safety by 54 percent and reduced risk indicators and traffic violations by 47 percent.
Smart control centre performance metrics
Sheikh Hamdan also assessed performance metrics from the Smart Control Centre, which opened in 2021 to monitor real-time violations by drivers of transport vehicles, thereby enhancing inspection efficiency. The center automates 47 of the 124 total violations and has recorded 367,000 violations since its inception.
Training and development of Emirati talent
Furthermore, Sheikh Hamdan was briefed on RTA’s initiatives to train and qualify Emirati talent in advanced technologies, focusing on critical fields such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), cybersecurity, and big data management. To date, 44 employees and students have been sponsored to pursue academic qualifications at various levels in AI, big data, data management and analysis, and computing sciences.
Academic scholarships and training programs
RTA also provides academic scholarships for high school graduates pursuing studies in computer science, cybersecurity engineering, AI, computing systems, IT, computer engineering, machine learning, and data analytics. Additionally, 375 specialized and professional training courses have been delivered to over 1,400 trainees across nine advanced technology programs.
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