Dubai has been making significant strides in advancing its smart mobility and advanced technology infrastructure, and the latest move in this direction is the deployment of ten self-driving taxis in the Jumeirah area by the end of this year. According to Khaled Al Awadhi, Director of Transportation Systems, Public Transport Agency at RTA, the fares of these autonomous taxis will be comparable to limo taxis, which are usually 30% higher than regular taxis in Dubai.
The Chevrolet Bolt is the car model of the self-driving taxis, which have been equipped with LiDAR sensors, cameras, and radars to determine the distance of objects. Autonomous taxis can seat up to three passengers at the back, with no passengers allowed in the front. The RTA plans to add more autonomous taxis in the same area next year until the gradual deployment of 4,000 driverless cabs across Dubai by 2030.
The partnership between the RTA and Cruise, a US-based self-driving technology company, has made Dubai the first non-US city to commercialize Cruise self-driving cars that are all-electric and emission-free. Cruise has started the digital mapping of the Jumeirah 1 area for data collection and testing of technology for traffic signals, signages, and drivers’ behaviour in Dubai traffic conditions. The launch of autonomous vehicles will bring a positive impact on Dubai’s transportation landscape and well-being, according to the CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency, Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan.
The rollout of autonomous vehicles is expected to alleviate traffic congestion, lower the number of traffic accidents, and cut harmful emissions. The self-driving taxis will be a significant step towards the achievement of the UAE’s Vision 2021 of becoming a smart city, as well as the Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy that aims to transform 25% of the total transportation in Dubai to autonomous mode by 2030. Therefore, the latest move by the RTA and Cruise is expected to set a precedent for the rest of the world in terms of embracing autonomous vehicles and promoting sustainable transportation.
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