Dubai is set to introduce a new generation of smart mobility after the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) signed a cooperation agreement with Glydways to develop the emirate’s first automated transit network, reinforcing its push toward sustainable and technology-driven transport solutions.
The agreement was signed by Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, and Mark Seeger, Co-Founder and CEO of Glydways, on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit 2025.
The partnership marks the launch of an automated programme based on Glydways’ Automated Transit Network (ATN), a system using autonomous electric vehicles powered by artificial intelligence. Designed to operate independently from road traffic, the network runs on compact guideways that can be elevated or installed at ground level, reducing disruption to existing infrastructure.
The system provides on-demand, point-to-point travel without intermediate stops, offering 24/7 personal mobility for first- and last-mile journeys. Each vehicle accommodates four to six passengers, reaches speeds of up to 50 km/h, and is equipped with LiDAR, radar, and high-definition cameras. The network delivers zero local emissions while meeting mass-transit-level safety and availability standards.
Initial studies include a 2.8 km pilot route connecting National Paints Metro Station to Bluewaters Island. Additional proposed routes will link Metro stations with destinations such as Madinat Jumeirah, Alserkal Avenue, Times Square Centre, and Dubai Festival City.
Al Tayer said the initiative supports Dubai’s vision to expand innovative transport modes, enhance quality of life, and strengthen integration between public transport and future mobility solutions. He added that the project will be delivered under a Public-Private Partnership model, with potential capital cost savings of up to 90 percent and operational cost reductions of up to 70 percent.
Seeger described Dubai as an ideal environment for deploying next-generation mobility, calling the project a milestone for scaling high-capacity, cost-effective, and sustainable transport systems.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
