Dubai’s ability to amaze the world with a line up of magnificent projects is unparalleled. From the timeless tranquility of the desert to the lively bustle of the souq, Dubai offers a kaleidoscope of attractions for visitors from around the world. The city is considered the world’s most inspiring and sought-after destination, and the beauty is that it refuses to rest of its laurels.

UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s approval for a series of futuristic urban projects to be developed by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is bound to take the Emirate to the next higher level of progress.

The UAE leadership’s one-point goal has remained the happiness of the people. The latest projects, aimed at enhancing the happiness of residents, include a Sky Garden, bicycle lanes and promenades at Sheikh Zayed Road, Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah Beach. Sheikh Mohamed has endorsed road and public transport projects as well as a five-year plan (2019-2023) for constructing internal roads in residential districts.

Among the outstanding projects that promise to be a new tourist destination for residents and global visitors is the Sky Garden Project, a new footbridge measuring 380 metres in length and 60 metres in height and spanning an area of 3,422 square metres.

A project undertaken by the RTA in cooperation with Careem to operate 3,500 bicycles at 350 stations in Dubai will be the first bicycle-pool phased programme of its kind in the entire region.

There’s something for families too. The ‘Sunset Promenade’ project, a new beachfront area spanning 80,000 square metres connected to Jumeirah Beach Walk, will focus on promoting family entertainment.

The “Skypods” project —  a suspended transit system that links vital spots such as the Dubai Financial Centre and the Downtown with the Business Bay — will include 21 stations and will move up to 8,400 people an hour in each direction.

Talking about Dubai projects, timely utilisation of Smart technology has earned the city rich dividends.

The RTA has already announced the completion of 75 projects as part of the Smart City and Artificial Intelligence Programme. Projects completed relate to the smart organisation, infrastructure, smart vehicles, data management, artificial intelligence and smart and sustainable transport.

The transport authority has accomplished a host of smart projects and initiatives such as Raqeeb system, which monitors the condition of 300 bus drivers. The system contributed to reducing fatigue-related accidents by 65%. The daily rate of exhaustion or lack of attentiveness cases detected by the system ranged from 5 to 8 cases.

The authority has completed the installation of surveillance cameras in more than 10,000 taxis in Dubai. The cameras are said to have contributed to pushing customers satisfaction rating to as much as 83%.

The dream destination city has also integrated a robot-operated vehicle registration plate maker. The fully-automated machine can produce as many as 33,000 plates per day. Incidentally, it applies the fourth industrial revolution, 4IR, technologies and artificial intelligence applications to print registration plates without any human intervention.

Dubai has repeatedly demonstrated that ambition has no limits and that the word “impossible” is not in its dictionary. It calls for immense courage and awesome enterprise to embark on such fabulous projects, but as Sheikh Mohammed once remarked, “The future does not wait for those who hesitate.”