Dubai begins autonomous vehicle trial at Bluewaters Island

The RTA is stepping up its efforts to roll out more first and last-mile journeys across the city.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai is accelerating its efforts to provide more first and last-mile options across the city with the launch of a new trial.

Dubai Glydways, an automated transit system has started trial operations at Bluewaters.

The innovative transportation system uses autonomous electric vehicles supported by artificial intelligence technologies, operating on dedicated guideways.

The initiative forms part of a broader strategy being pursued by the RTA in terms of developing a smart, integrated and sustainable mobility system.

The UAE has a reputation globally for adopting future mobility technologies, and RTA has been at the heart of that movement.

The RTA also believes that by strengthening integration across different modes of transport and providing flexible and efficient solutions for first-and last-mile journeys will only play a crucial role in tackling the city’s traffic congestion issues.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, attended a presentation on the system and the operation of its autonomous vehicles, with Mark Seeger, Founder and Co-CEO of Glydways, and Blake Barber, Co-CEO and Chief Technology Officer of Dubai Glydways.

Al Tayer took a ride in a Dubai Glydways vehicle, which travelled along the designated route at Bluewaters, a Dubai Retail destination under Dubai Holding. The five-minute ride marked the start of the Dubai Glydways trial operation, which will continue for four weeks.

Glydways trial starts in Dubai

The trial operation builds on the cooperation agreement signed between RTA and Glydways to launch the city’s first automated transit network program of its kind.

The Bluewaters trial is also being implemented under a partnership agreement between RTA and Dubai Holding, covering the trial’s implementation, preparation of the field-testing environment, and provision of the required infrastructure and operational support.

The arrangement is designed to support the assessment of the system’s technical and operational performance while examining opportunities for future expansion and operation.

His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer said that the start of trial operation for the Glydways system marks an important step in RTA’s journey towards adopting and developing future mobility systems.

“This project is in line with the directives of our wise leadership to strengthen Dubai’s global leadership in smart and sustainable mobility.

“It also reflects RTA’s commitment to harnessing advanced technologies to develop an integrated and flexible transport system that supports the emirate’s rapid urban and economic growth and contributes to enhancing quality of life and the well-being of residents and visitors,” said Al Tayer.

Al Tayer also highlighted how RTA was committed to transforming promising innovations and technologies in the transport sector into practical applications, and to testing and evaluating them within Dubai’s urban environment.

“The trial operation marksan important stage in assessing the system’s operational and technical aspects, evaluating its ability to provide a safe, seamless and reliable mobility experience, and exploring opportunities for integration with the public transport network, particularly for first- and last-mile journeys,” said Al Tayer.