Dubai's Road and Transport Authority (RTA) has reiterated its commitment to integrating self-driving vehicles, targeting a quarter of all transport services to be self-driving by 2030.

Over the past year, Dubai has introduced self-driving taxis to its transportation fleet, conducting initial tests of self-driving Chevrolet Bolt vehicles in the Jumeirah area. While safety drivers were initially required to remain behind the wheel during testing, the city marked a milestone as the first location outside the USA to operate a self-driving Chevrolet.

The city's ambitious plan includes deploying 4,000 driverless taxis on its roads, with the goal of alleviating traffic congestion, reducing emissions, and minimizing accidents.

While the target of achieving 25% self-driving transport within six years may seem ambitious, Mattar Al Tayer, director-general of the RTA, notes that currently, 9.4% of transportation is already self-driving.

The focus of this initiative is primarily on transitioning key modes of transport such as the metro, buses, and taxis to autonomous systems, with aerial taxis not yet included in the plan.

The push towards self-driving transport aligns with the UAE government's Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy, which aims to revolutionize transport in the country's most populous city. The strategy forecasts a 12% reduction in traffic accidents and a 13% increase in productivity.

Furthermore, the UAE anticipates significant economic benefits from the strategy, estimating Dhs22 billion in revenue through reduced transportation costs, increased productivity, and savings in time currently lost in conventional transportation methods.

As Dubai continues its journey towards autonomous transport, the future promises a landscape where passengers may soon find themselves without a driver to engage with during their taxi rides.