RTA awards $217m contract for Al Qudra street development
The project is designed to optimise traffic flow, improve mobility for residents and visitors throughout the emirate, and support Dubai's ongoing urban development and population growth.
According to RTA, the project extends from the intersection of Al Qudra Street with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, continuing through Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street, and reaching Emirates Road.
It encompasses the development of several interchanges, the construction of bridges totalling 2,700 metres, and the expansion of the existing street by 11.6 km.
The project is set to enhance the street's capacity and decrease travel time from 9.4 minutes to 2.8 minutes. It will also cater to residential and development areas, benefiting an estimated population of 400,000 residents and visitors.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, said: "Al Qudra Street Development Project is one of the major projects undertaken by RTA to enhance the vertical (East-West) road network. It extends from the intersection of Al Qudra Street with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, passing through Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street, and continues up to Emirates Road."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Tribune
08-07-2025
- Daily Tribune
Pony.ai and RTA launch Robotaxi Trials in race to Smart City ruture
TDT | Manama Dubai's pursuit of a self-driving future took a major leap forward as and the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) unveiled the first robotaxi prototype set to undergo trials in the emirate next year. The reveal ceremony, held on July 4th, marked a milestone in Dubai's partnership with the China-based autonomous driving firm. His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, RTA's Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, and Dr. Leo Wang, Chief Financial Officer of reaffirmed their commitment to launching supervised Level 4 robotaxi trials in 2025. Strategic collaboration The agreement is part of Dubai's wider Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to make 25% of all journeys within the emirate autonomous by 2030. RTA's continued outreach to global tech leaders underscores Dubai's push to become a global hub for intelligent, sustainable, and multi-modal mobility. 'The partnership with Pony. ai strengthens Dubai's leadership in autonomous transport and reflects our resolve to deliver smart, safe, and efficient services,' said H.E. Al Tayer, praising decision to use Dubai as a launchpad for global operations beyond China. Built for Dubai's roads Gen 7 robotaxis, which have been rigorously tested in high-temperature and desert conditions, were highlighted as fit for the region's unique road environments. The company has already deployed over 300 robotaxis across China's top cities and aims to expand its fleet to 1,000 by year-end. 'By aligning our tech with RTA's vision, we're creating a benchmark for autonomous transport in the MENA region,' said Dr. Wang. 'This collaboration reflects our shared belief in safer, greener mobility for all.' Global footprint grows The Dubai rollout adds to growing list of international partnerships, which include trials in Luxembourg, South Korea, and Singapore. The company has also teamed up with Uber to expand robotaxi integration into existing ride-hailing platforms. In Dubai, the upcoming trials will focus on first and last mile travel solutions, better public transport integration, and reducing traffic congestion. RTA said the project will improve road safety and mobility convenience for residents and visitors alike. As governments around the world race to update laws and infrastructure to accommodate autonomous vehicles, Dubai's proactive regulatory environment and strong partnerships continue to set it apart as a testbed for the mobility of tomorrow.
Gulf Insider
07-07-2025
- Gulf Insider
Dubai RTA Begins Trials for Driverless Vehicles
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a company specialising in autonomous driving technologies, to begin pilot trials of autonomous vehicles in the emirate. The trials are scheduled to begin later this year, with plans to launch a fully driverless commercial service in 2026. recently unveiled the seventh generation of its autonomous vehicles, developed jointly with automotive manufacturers including Toyota, GAC, and BAIC. The company's vehicles feature artificial intelligence algorithms and sensors, including lidars, radars, and cameras, designed to ensure navigation and safety across road and weather conditions. The company has established partnerships with technology firms including Tencent and Alibaba to integrate robotaxi mobility services into platforms such as WeChat and Alipay. Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, and Dr. Leo Wang, Chief Financial Officer of attended the signing ceremony of the MoU between RTA and The MoU was signed on behalf of RTA by Mr. Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of Public Transport Agency, and on behalf of by Ms. Ann Shi, Vice President of Strategy and Business Development, in the presence of several officials from both parties, the Dubai Media Office said in a statement. Mattar Al Tayer said the partnership would support Dubai's efforts to adopt autonomous mobility solutions and reinforce its leadership in future mobility. He expressed appreciation for the company's decision to choose Dubai as its platform for expanding operations beyond China. 'RTA's continued expansion of partnerships with leading global companies in the field of autonomous mobility marks a key step towards achieving the Dubai Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to convert 25 per cent of all trips in Dubai into autonomous journeys across various modes of transport by 2030. It underscores RTA's commitment to working closely with global technology leaders to advance the future of smart, efficient, and sustainable mobility,' Al Tayer said. Al Tayer said the operation of autonomous taxis would contribute to the integration of transport systems by facilitating the movement of public transport users and improving access to their destinations in line with the first and last-mile strategy. 'Operating autonomous taxis will enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors in Dubai, improve road safety, and offer greater convenience in daily mobility across the emirate,' he added. 'Autonomous mobility has become a present reality. Leading global companies are accelerating the development of technologies and software that power autonomous vehicles, while governments—through the relevant licensing and regulatory authorities—are working to provide the necessary infrastructure and establish the legislative and regulatory frameworks required to enable their operation,' Al Tayer explained. CFO Dr. Leo Wang also highlighted the regional significance of the partnership. 'The collaboration with Dubai RTA exemplifies our commitment to deploying Level 4 autonomous technology in strategic global markets. By aligning our technological capabilities with RTA's visionary leadership, we're establishing foundational standards for intelligent transportation ecosystems across the MENA region,' he concluded. Also Read : So Close To The Top: How Dubai-Based Indian Resident Came Within Reach Of Everest At 72
Gulf Insider
15-06-2025
- Gulf Insider
Dubai To Start Driverless Taxi Trials With Uber, WeRide This Year
Dubai is gearing up to take another bold leap in its smart mobility journey. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced today that it has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with Uber Technologies, Inc. and WeRide, a global autonomous driving leader, to kickstart pilot operations of self-driving taxis later this year. Initially, the autonomous vehicles (AVs) will operate with a safety driver on board and be available via the Uber app. These trials aim to pave the way for the full-scale, driverless commercial rollout of robotaxis in Dubai by 2026, aligning closely with the city's vision of making 25 per cent of all trips in Dubai autonomous by 2030. Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority signs a Memorandum of Understanding with Uber Technologies, Inc, the world's leading technology platform for mobility and delivery, and WeRide, a global leader in autonomous driving technology. Under the agreement, pilot operations of… — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) June 15, 2025 The announcement follows RTA's strategic expansion of partnerships with major global AV technology providers, including Uber, WeRide, and Baidu's Apollo Go. These collaborations are part of the city's broader Self-Driving Transport Strategy and aim to establish Dubai as a global testing ground for next-gen mobility solutions. 'The introduction of autonomous vehicles in Dubai represents a significant leap towards a smart and sustainable future for mobility, in line with the vision of our leadership to transform Dubai into the world's smartest city,' said Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA. 'This MoU reinforces Dubai's global leadership in adopting advanced and sustainable transport solutions, embracing state-of-the-art technologies, and fostering innovative mobility initiatives.' The partnerships, he added, also support the goals of the Dubai Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which seeks to convert 25% of all mobility journeys in the emirate into autonomous trips across various transport modes by 2030. The collaboration is also part of RTA's First and Last-Mile Strategy, designed to streamline travel between public transport stations and commuters' starting or ending points. WeRide, which already launched robotaxis in Abu Dhabi in 2021, now deepens its presence in the UAE with this Dubai pilot. Baidu, meanwhile, is preparing its debut via its autonomous ride-hailing platform Apollo Go, which has already logged more than 150 million kilometers of autonomous driving in China. This marks Dubai as a key international hub for AV expansion beyond East Asia, North America, and Europe. 'We're building the future of transportation by collaborating with top AV innovators to bring this technology to cities across the world,' said Noah Zych, Uber's Global Head of Autonomous Mobility and Delivery Operations. 'Dubai is a natural next step.' WeRide operates in over 30 cities across 10 countries and holds driverless permits in the UAE, China, the US, Singapore, and France. Its tie-up with Uber in Dubai is its second regional collaboration after Abu Dhabi. RTA sees autonomous vehicles as a critical tool for reducing traffic accidents—90 per cent of which are caused by human error. AVs also expand access to transport for people of determination, the elderly, and others with limited mobility. Baidu's Apollo Go, which will also offer its services through its dedicated app in Dubai, has become the world's largest operator of driverless fleets. Its sixth-generation robotaxi, the RT6, has been widely welcomed by riders in China for comfort, safety, and efficiency. By 2026, Dubai's streets could see fully driverless taxis becoming a familiar sight. Residents and visitors will be able to hail WeRide vehicles using Uber, while Baidu's Apollo Go app will offer another alternative. Today's signing signals more than just a test run—it's Dubai's commitment to redefining urban mobility. With multiple global AV leaders now plugged into the city's ecosystem, the emirate is positioning itself at the forefront of the driverless revolution in the region.
