Dubai - Once implemented, the strategy will reduce transportation costs by 44 percent.
Published: Mon 25 Apr 2016, 3:34 PM
Updated: Tue 26 Apr 2016, 8:32 AM
A quarter of all vehicle traffic in Dubai will be comprised of self-driving vehicles by 2030, according to His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
"By 2030, 25 percent of all transportation trips in Dubai will be smart and driverless. The strategy is projected to generate economic revenues and savings of up to AED 22 billion a year," Sheikh Mohammad said on his official Twitter account.
"Dubai is leading cities of the world and making a qualitative paradigm shift to harness artificial intelligence in the service of the humanity and set a world unparalleled model for future cities, and is evolving into a global laboratory for technology and R&D," he added. "Today, we lay down a clear strategy with specific goals for smart transportation to form one of the key drivers for achieving sustainable economy in the UAE."
Once implemented, the strategy will reduce transportation costs by 44 percent - or Dh 900 million - and will save Dh 1.5 billion through reductions in environmental pollution, Dh 18 billion through a 20 percent improvement in transport efficiency.
Productivity by individuals is also expected to increase by 13 percent and save people 396 million hours wasted on the roads. Additionally, he noted that the strategy will reduce road accidents and associated economic losses by 12 percent, saving Dh 2 billion in a year. He said that the strategy will be the first project of the foundation to build a model of a futuristic city.
Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Executive Council took a 10-seater driverless vehicle for its maiden trail run at the UITP MENA Transport Congress and Exhibition 2016.
He was accompanied by senior officials of the Dubai government.
Manufactured by Easy Mile/ Omnix Company, the driverless car was inaugurated by the Crown Prince on Monday, April 25 at the Dubai World Trade Center Exhibition Halls as it drove a few 100 meters. The vehicle is designed to travel short distances on pre-programmed routes and in various environments, making it capable of facing the the UAE's harsh weather conditions.
The vehicle travels on virtual routes, which can easily be reset to accommodate sudden changes as required, according to a statement from RTA. It is fitted with safety features and a sensor system which detects obstacles and help avoid collisions.
The event is jointly organized by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and is held under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan and will continue from April 25-27.
Senior officials at the Road and Transport Authority of Dubai stated that over the next three days, the Congress will debate issues related to the status of public transport in developing cities.
Key topics of discussion are the management and finance of public transport, use of energy, school transport, and the importance of innovation and creativity in the field of public transport.
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