Dubai Crown Prince issues new regulation for testing self-driving vehicles

A new resolution regulating the testing of autonomous vehicles in Dubai has been passed by the emirate’s Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The resolution is part of the first phase of a legislative framework being created to ensure efficiency, reliability and security of smart mobility and is part of Dubai’s autonomous transportation strategy.

Under the regulation, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will review the technical aspects and standards related to the safety of self-driving vehicles that will be included in vehicle manuals.

These should be compliant with RTA’s autonomous vehicle testing requirements.

The RTA has also been tasked with specifying the safety requirements that should be met in vehicle tests. It is also authorised to set all other conditions and requirements for the tests.

The RTA will be responsible for providing licences to operators and overseeing their compliance with the regulations.

It will also develop the infrastructure required to conduct such vehicle tests in coordination with concerned authorities in Dubai.

The resolution is effective from the date of its publication in the official gazette, a statement said.

Read: Video: Dubai tests autonomous transport pods

Under its autonomous transportation strategy, Dubai aims to transform 25 per cent of the total transportation in Dubai to self-driving mode by 2030 involving five million daily trips.

The strategy is expected to bring Dhs22bn in annual economic revenues in several sectors by reducing transportation costs, carbon emissions and accidents, and raising the productivity of individuals.

The strategy aims to help cut transportation costs by 44 per cent, resulting in savings of up to Dhs900m a year.

It will also help save Dhs1.5bn a year by reducing environmental pollution by 12 per cent, as well as generate Dhs18bn in annual economic returns by increasing the efficiency of the transportation sector in Dubai by 2030, according to officials.

Read: Dubai’s new self driving strategy approved

As part of the strategy the ‘Dubai World Autonomous Transportation Challenge’ has been launched to encourage innovative international companies, academic institutions and centres of research and development to provide transportations solutions and scenarios that are realistic and tailored for the streets of Dubai.

Read: Dubai’s RTA launches $5m challenge for self-driving cars