An Autonomous Transport Zone in Dubai: A Glimpse into the Future of Driverless Mobility
Dubai is set to pioneer a revolutionary step in urban mobility by creating an autonomous transport zone that promises to transform daily commuting. The city’s ambitious vision aims for a quarter of all daily trips to be driverless by 2030, making Dubai a global leader in self-driving technology and smart urban transport.
A Testing Ground for Autonomous Innovation
From 2026, Dubai will establish a 15-square-kilometre testing zone spanning Festival City and Dubai Creek Harbour. This zone will serve as a real-world lab to trial autonomous taxis, delivery vehicles, and various service transport systems. The initiative is designed to assess the logistics, safety, and efficiency of driverless vehicles operating on a larger scale within a dynamic urban environment.
The announcement was a key highlight at the opening day of the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport, showcasing Dubai’s commitment to cutting-edge transport solutions. Five leading international firms have already submitted bids to operate within the zone, competing for a $3 million prize, emphasizing the competitive and innovative spirit surrounding this project.
Integrated Autonomous Systems for Seamless Mobility
Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency, revealed plans to introduce around six or seven different autonomous systems starting next year. These systems will be integrated to provide comprehensive coverage across the autonomous zone, ensuring that residents and visitors can travel autonomously anywhere within the area.
The goal is for every point within the zone to be accessible via autonomous transport, whether by taxi, shuttle, or the traditional yet futuristic autonomous abra boats. This interconnected network aims to set a high standard for the wider Dubai autonomous strategy.
How It Will Operate: The Passenger Experience
Passengers will commence their journey on Dubai’s Metro system, arriving at the autonomous zone where they can easily hail an autonomous vehicle. Choices will include driverless taxis, shuttle buses, and autonomous abras offering a diverse mobility experience.
Moreover, this zone will be linked to six other autonomous-enabled zones across the city, fostering a city-wide network of self-driving transport that can drastically enhance convenience, reduce congestion, and lower emissions.
Global Context and Local Readiness
Dubai is not alone in its autonomous ambitions; other countries including China, the US, and Singapore have run pilot projects focused on self-driving vehicles. However, Dubai’s approach combines rigorous safety testing with an eye on scaling up quickly.
Chinese autonomous vehicle company WeRide announced plans to expand its fleet into Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands, signaling strong investor confidence in Dubai’s ecosystem. Dr. Hua Zhong, senior VP of engineering at WeRide, noted that their technology is well-prepared to meet Dubai’s unique demands—from heavy traffic to extreme heat—thanks to prior safety tests across more than 30 cities worldwide.
The Road Ahead: Scaling Driverless Fleets
In partnership with Baidu, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) plans to gradually introduce 1,000 autonomous vehicles by 2028. A trial fleet of 50 black and green branded Apollo Go autonomous cars has been undergoing intensive data collection and safety evaluations for months, laying the groundwork for mass deployment.
Building public trust in autonomous vehicle safety is a pivotal part of this transition. Ammar Albreiki, COO of Dubai Taxi Corporation, highlighted how these vehicles are equipped with 360-degree sensor awareness both inside and outside, promising enhanced reliability and fewer accidents. Advanced predictive maintenance systems fed by real-time sensor data will improve vehicle uptime and customer experience.
Public-Private Collaboration: Key to Success
The success of Dubai’s autonomous transport vision relies heavily on close collaboration between government entities and private sector partners. According to Albreiki, integrating autonomous transport into the existing urban mobility ecosystem—linking with the Metro and other transport modes—is essential for creating a seamless, scalable system that meets public needs.
By fostering innovative partnerships and continually building public confidence, Dubai aims to become a benchmark for autonomous fleets worldwide, setting new standards for urban transport in the 21st century.
In summary, Dubai’s autonomous transport zone project is a bold experiment where technology, infrastructure, and urban planning converge to reshape how we move. As the city tirelessly pushes ahead with trials and technology integrations, the future of driverless travel is taking tangible shape on its streets.
