Smart vehicle under trial at Dubai’s Business Bay

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has teamed up with Dubai Properties to carry out trials of smart vehicles across parts of Business Bay.

The trial operation of autonomous vehicles, each capable of lifting 10 persons, is being carried out over a 650m track in Business Bay District.

The step follows the first and second phases of the trial operation of smart vehicles in Dubai World Trade Centre and the Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard.

Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA’s Licensing Agency and chairman of its Smart Vehicles Committee, said responses to questionnaires floated by RTA spurred the trial operation’s third phase.

“Autonomous vehicles have continued to accomplish their success, as proven by the sustained riders satisfaction rating derived from the experience at the Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard between 1 September and 5 October this year, where the overall satisfaction rating clocked 95%,” he said.

“The debut of autonomous vehicles experience in the Dubai World Trade Centre last Ramadan yielded satisfaction rating of 92% according to inputs of two questionnaires conducted by RTA.

“Visitors were lifted over a month from ground car parks to the main restaurants, hotels, and landmarks at the Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard on the route of the vehicle.”

Dubai Media Office reported that Bahrozyan said RTA is considering expanded deployment of autonomous vehicles across Dubai’s metro stations, malls, and tourist spots.

The agency is also working to draft rules and legislations geared at the implementation of Dubai’s smart mobility strategy, he added.

Source: constructionweekonline