Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi plans to make 20% of its public taxis autonomous by 2030, Mohamed Al Shorafa, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities & Transport (DMT) said on Wednesday at Investopia 2025.
This target forms part of Abu Dhabi's forward-thinking vision for urban development through cutting-edge mobility and smart infrastructure initiatives.
The long-term project began in 2007 with Abu Dhabi's first urban plan, which was revised in 2014. According to Al Shorafa, an updated version of this plan is set to be revealed in the next few weeks.
A key aspect of this plan is ensuring that Abu Dhabi remains a "livable and lovable city", one that's environmentally resilient and responsive to the unique needs of its community, including seamless connectivity, he explained.
One of the ways in which the DMT is leveraging technology to make the lives of people in Abu Dhabi easier is through data and AI-driven decision-making, with intelligent traffic systems in place to predict and manage congestion, he noted.
The city's ongoing commitment to smart mobility is also evidenced by its partnerships with international companies, which are invested in its autonomous sandboxes and pilot projects.
These initiatives are further complemented by significant investment in the electrification of the bus network and discussions with private firms to develop new mobility platforms that integrate seamlessly into the city's infrastructure.
In Abu Dhabi, $65 billion has been earmarked for transportation projects and mobility infrastructure, including tunnels, new roads, and system expansion, according to Al Shorafa.
In addition to the continued support of its leadership, he noted that private sector involvement was key to realising Abu Dhabi's vision for a smart, sustainable and connected city.
"Every aspiration comes with opportunity. And we don't think we have issues in hitting those challenges and opportunities head on because I think we have the right, not only calibre and experiences, but also the support of the private sector."
Introducing private sector investment not only enhances the emirate's technological capabilities, but it also strengthens the economy by fostering innovation and creating more jobs, Al Shorafa added.
