SUSTAINABLE CITIES FUTURE TRANSPORTATION
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…the rest of the decade should be pivotal in turning the UAE into a global standard bearer for smart transportation it was confirmed that the country’s first ‘vertiport’ is being built at Dubai International Airport, and by early 2026 you’ll be able to take a trip to Dubai Marina, Downtown or the Palm Jumeirah, in roughly a third of the time it would take to go by car. Infrastructural plans remain high on the priority list. Foremost among them include July 2024’s announcement of the Dubai Green Spine megaproject, creating a 64-kilometre-long highway that will act as a sustainable corridor. Electric trams running on 100% renewable energy will glide over solar panels running the length of the highway, with each side bracketed by urban farms and gardens, further promoting biodiversity, sustainability and improved public health. plans for an Italy-based system were announced), the development of highly advanced, ambitious and well-funded transportation projects remains a priority for the UAE government and its urban planning priorities for the rest of the decade and beyond. Will 2025-2030 Cement the UAE’s Dominance in E-Mobility and Smart Transportation? The next five years will be crucial in building momentum for the smart transport systems and concepts that Alongside renewed interest in jumpstarting the stalled Dubai Hyperloop project (feasibility studies have resumed after new
vehicle) has led to a tangible shift in UAE consumer mentality. The prospect of owning an EV is no longer fanciful – it is a viable consideration for a growing proportion of UAE motorists looking for a better long-term prospect for the environment and their household budget. Public transport Public transport is as vital as private vehicle ownership in completing the sustainable transportation puzzle. Here, the UAE has much to celebrate in 2024 as well. The central target of making 25% of all transportation modes autonomous by 2030 continues to galvanise efforts in adopting driverless taxis, buses, trams, trains and more. In December 2024, driverless taxis, dominating headlines for years, became a commercial reality for the first time in the history of the Middle East. Uber and WeRide launched the service in areas of Abu Dhabi including Saadiyat Island and Yas Island and routes to and from Zayed International Airport. While safety operators remain behind the wheel for now, the companies involved aim to phase them out during 2025, allowing the taxis to become fully autonomous. This is just one example of how smart transportation concepts that were pipe dreams a decade ago are now a purchasable service in the UAE. Flying taxis are due to make this leap from theory to reality; last November
ͳΒͷͷͷ The number of EVs in the UAE as of December 2023
25% The percentage goal for autonomous transportation modes in the UAE by 2030ͯ The number of EV charging stations in each emirate 382 Dubaiͯ Ͳͷ Abu Dhabi
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THE FUTURE OF ENERGY
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