Dubai announces Glydways system of autonomous vehicles spanning 12km, serving 10,000 commuters per hour

The Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has introduced an innovative smart transport initiative utilising self-driving vehicles that operate on exclusive routes, independent of traditional traffic.

This development underscores the emirate's commitment to advancing sustainable and adaptable mobility solutions for the future. The project was highlighted during the RTA’s participation in the World Government Summit 2026, where it showcased its latest advancements in collaboration with a renowned American company specialising in the field.

Special pathways

Khaled Al Awadhi, Director of Transportation Systems, highlighted the RTA's keenness on annual participation in the World Government Summit, where it showcases pioneering projects. He shared details of a recently announced initiative developed in collaboration with the American company "Cloud."

This project features autonomous vehicles operating on dedicated lanes that serve four specific areas, ensuring efficient traffic flow and enhanced safety by being segregated from traditional road traffic. Al Awadhi also emphasised the compact design of the vehicles, which makes them suitable for narrow pathways and densely populated locations.

The system employs advanced vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology, enabling multiple units to connect and form a cohesive virtual train-like setup without the need for physical tracks, running efficiently on separate designated routes.

10,000 commuters

Al Awadhi outlined that the system has the capacity to carry approximately 10,000 passengers per hour in a single direction, positioning it as an effective solution to boost the transport network's capacity in key areas.

He mentioned that the RTA is set to launch initial tests of the project in Bluewaters Dubai area and will subsequently identify preliminary routes in several locations, such as Al Wasl, Al Quoz, and Festival City.

He mentioned that initial field trials are scheduled to commence in the first half of this year. Should these trials prove successful, the implementation phase is planned for 2027 to 2029 across various parts of the emirate, covering routes that span a total of 12 kilometers.

The project aims to seamlessly integrate with Dubai's existing transportation network, offering links to metro, bus, and tram stations, as well as key landmarks.