Mohammed Bin Rashid Reviews RTA’s Strategic Plan And Inspects Advanced Transport Control Centre
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum recently evaluated the strategic plan of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The focus is on enhancing the road network and public transport systems. During his visit, he also inspected the Enterprise Command and Control Centre (EC³), a state-of-the-art facility that uses smart technologies to manage traffic, transport operations, and emergencies.
The EC³ is a significant asset for Dubai, being one of the largest and most advanced centres globally. It oversees more than 28,000 transport vehicles daily and analyses 4.4 billion mobility data entries. The centre is equipped with over 10,000 cameras monitoring Dubai’s roads and public transport systems. These features enable effective mobility planning across the emirate.
Artificial intelligence plays a crucial role at the EC³ by managing incidents and crises efficiently. The centre's technology system includes machine-learning capabilities, which help in reducing human error and ensuring quicker response times. This integration supports centralised decision-making across all modes of transport.
Upon his arrival at the EC³, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed was welcomed by Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of RTA’s Board of Executive Directors. During his tour, Sheikh Mohammed learned about how the centre integrates current and future transport modes to enhance efficiency in bus operations and taxi fleet planning.
Al Tayer briefed Sheikh Mohammed on RTA’s strategic vision to become The World Leader in Seamless and Sustainable Mobility. The road network spans over 25,000 lane-kilometres with more than 1,050 bridges and tunnels for vehicles, alongside 177 pedestrian bridges and tunnels. Public transport includes a metro and tram network covering 100 kilometres with 64 stations.
The public transport system also comprises over 1,300 buses, 13,000 taxis and limousines, as well as 210 marine transport modes. Collectively, these systems serve more than two million riders each day. This extensive infrastructure aims to meet diverse transportation needs across Dubai.
Future Projects: Metro Blue Line & Aerial Taxis
Sheikh Mohammed was updated on the Dubai Metro Blue Line project extending 30 kilometres with 14 stations. This line will connect Red and Green lines to key areas expected to house around one million residents by 2040. It will provide a direct link to Dubai International Airport within just 20 minutes.
Additionally, developments in the aerial taxi project were discussed. RTA collaborates with Joby Aviation Inc. and Skyports Infrastructure for this initiative. In June this year, Joby completed crewed test flights of its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aerial taxi in Margham under local conditions.
Autonomous Taxi Trials
The autonomous taxi project is another innovative venture by RTA. Agreements have been signed with leading international companies specialising in autonomous mobility to start trial operations in Dubai soon. These trials aim for a commercial launch of autonomous taxi services by Q1 2026.
This comprehensive approach reflects Dubai's commitment to advancing its transportation infrastructure through cutting-edge technology while ensuring seamless connectivity for its residents.
With inputs from WAM
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