While multiple car manufacturers are in a tight race to release the first fully automated car, Dubai is leading the charge by fully embracing the future of mobility.
With the end goal of making 25 percent of Dubai’s total transportation completely autonomous by 2030, the Dubai Future Foundation and the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), under the direction of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, are working to make the emirate the premier model of how artificial intelligence can be used to serve humanity.
This initiative complements Dubai’s previous accomplishments, including the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy, and is aligned with the goal of making the UAE a global source for sustainability efforts in various sectors.
Once fully implemented, the Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy is projected to bring in AED 22 billion in income from different sectors. This is made possible through savings in critical areas like transportation costs, accidents, and carbon emissions, coupled with an increase in the productivity of individuals and businesses based in Dubai.
Goals and forecasts
The objectives of the strategy are two-fold: cut transportation costs and increase efficiency in the transportation sector by the year 2030.
It is projected that the initiative will reduce transportation costs by 44 percent, which is equivalent to an annual savings of AED 900 million. An additional yearly savings of AED 1.5 billion is expected from the projected 12 percent reduction of environmental pollution. The initiative is also expected to generate AED 18 billion in annual economic returns as an offshoot of increased transportation efficiency.
Apart from these savings and income from these critical areas, the team behind the initiative are expecting additional benefits in other sectors as well.
For example, the initiative is expected to substantially reduce traffic accidents and the losses associated with these, netting a savings of AED 2 billion annually. It is also expected to cut 396 million hours of travel time and minimize the need for parking spaces.
The Four Pillars
Individuals
The strategy seeks to promote national capacities through the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Autonomous Transportation Systems.
Technology
The strategy aims to bring different means of transportation technology to the forefront by focusing on autonomous technologies in Dubai.
Legislative Structure
In order to facilitate the key developments needed for the strategy, legislative developments must be put into place, so implementation follows discourse.
Infrastructure
To provide the strategy and the platforms needed to succeed, critical infrastructures based upon new technologies must be built.
The two main tracks
How, exactly, is Dubai ushering in the future of mobility today?
In order to bring the Dubai World Autonomous Transportation Strategy into fruition, two central tracks have been formulated: the Last Mile Transportation and the use of autonomous buses.
The Last Mile Transportation track aims to bring passengers from different metro stations strategically located around the emirate to nearby destinations. As an added benefit, this track is projected to increase the attractiveness of using public transportation.
In the second track, autonomous buses will be used in transporting people within specific neighborhoods to specific destinations. These destinations include schools, shops, medical facilities, and service centers.
In order to meet the challenges of both tracks, the Dubai Future Foundation and the RTA seek to create a global platform for private institutions, R&D centers, vehicle manufacturers, and companies specializing in related technologies together to compete for the application of autonomous technology.
The Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport
Another critical step in driving the Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy is the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport.
The SD Congress in Dubai brings together the world’s prominent experts in the field of self-driving transport, along with technology manufacturers, researchers and academics, and policymakers.
One of the highlights of the Congress is the Dubai World Challenge For Self-Driving Transport. The SD Challenge has been designed to push forward self-driving technology by achieving five key objectives.
- The advancement of self-driving technology.
- Showcase current developments and advancements in the sector.
- Develop knowledge to move the goal of autonomous transportation forward.
- Encourage public support for autonomous transportation.
- Establish a platform that will guarantee continuity of technical development, public awareness, and policy development.
The SD Challenge, which is hosted by the RTA, will be held in October 2019 and will showcase the application, evaluation, and challenges encountered in the first and last mile connection strategies which started in 2018.
Over 500 attendees, along with more than 30 international speakers and over 100 exhibitors, are expected to attend the SD Congress.
The event will be held from October 15 to 16 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Want to learn more about the SD Congress? Download the SD Congress brochure here.
Congress
A global 2-day conference that will raise public awareness of modern and future transport by identifying the impact of technology on investments and transport strategies.
Exhibition
A cutting-edge exhibition showcasing the future of self-driving vehicles. The Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport Exhibition is the essential place to attain key decision makers’ attention, and to meet your target audience.
Challenge
The first-of-its kind, multi-year international challenge designed for industry leaders, start-ups, and academia tackling the transport challenges faced by global cities.
