Dubai's road to 2040: the self-driving transport strategy
A 15 km² test zone, self-driving lorries, and a target of a quarter of all trips autonomous by 2030.
Daniel Zacatenco / UnsplashDubai's Self-Driving Transport Strategy 2025–2040 sets concrete targets: 25% of all journeys autonomous by 2030, and 36% by 2040 — a plan the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) ties directly to the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
On the ground
- A 15-square-kilometre testing zone in Festival City and Dubai Creek Harbour for self-driving taxis, deliveries and service vehicles.
- Self-driving lorries are being introduced to Dubai's roads as the strategy gathers pace.
- Commercial driverless taxi services rolled out through 2026.
The strategy treats autonomy as infrastructure rather than a pilot — designed to cut congestion and transport costs as the city's population and economy grow.