Launched in 2016 as part of a sweeping urban mobility transformation, Dubai’s Autonomous Transportation Strategy envisions a city where 25% of all trips will be conducted via autonomous modes by 2030. This ambition reflects more than a technological pivot; it signals a systemic recalibration of infrastructure, regulation, and public engagement to accommodate post-driver urbanism. The transition poses considerable challenges—chief among them are upgrading legacy road networks to support vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, and achieving societal trust in a radically reimagined public realm. Integrating autonomous vehicles (AVs) into an already complex multimodal transport system also demands high levels of system interoperability, real-time coordination, and regulatory foresight.

Dubai’s strategy has advanced through iterative pilot programs, concentrated investment in intelligent transport infrastructure, and robust public awareness campaigns. Connected traffic signals, embedded sensors, and dedicated AV corridors are being rolled out to create an ecosystem where AVs can safely and efficiently navigate alongside traditional transport modes. Beyond safety benefits—such as reduced collision rates due to human error—planners anticipate gains in accessibility, tourism mobility, and economic diversification, particularly through attracting high-tech investment. The initiative encapsulates a vital planning insight: in rapidly evolving urban contexts, institutional flexibility and anticipatory governance are prerequisites for integrating disruptive technologies into the built environment. Dubai’s model represents a nascent but compelling case for how cities can transition toward autonomous futures while maintaining spatial coherence, economic viability, and public confidence.