Dubai: Dubai is exploring plans to connect Metro stations with residential communities, business districts and tourist destinations through driverless electric pods under the Roads and Transport Authority’s (RTA) Dubai Glydways project.
The proposed system is designed to help commuters complete the first and last parts of their journeys using small, automated pods that travel on dedicated guideways, offering direct connections without mixing with regular road traffic.
The RTA launched a four-week trial of the Glydways automated transit system at Bluewaters on Sunday, October 11, to assess its potential integration with Dubai’s existing public transport network.
Where Could the Driverless Pods Operate?
According to the RTA, several routes and locations are being studied for possible connections through the system.
The proposed routes and areas include:
- National Paints Metro Station to Bluewaters: A proposed 2.8-kilometre connection.
- Jumeirah Village Circle: Potential coverage for residents.
- Dubai Festival City: A possible link to the commercial and leisure destination.
- Business Bay: A potential connection for commuters travelling to the business district.
- Mohammed Bin Rashid City: An area under consideration for future links.
These are proposed routes and areas under study, rather than confirmed operational services.
How Will the Glydways System Work?
Unlike conventional buses that operate on fixed schedules and make multiple stops, Glydways is designed to provide direct, point-to-point journeys using small, AI-powered electric pods on dedicated guideways.
Under the proposed model, passengers could leave a Metro station and continue towards their homes, offices or other destinations in a driverless pod, reducing the need to rely on private cars or taxis for the final part of a journey.
The compact guideways can be constructed at ground level or elevated, potentially allowing the system to serve locations where conventional road or rail infrastructure may be difficult to accommodate.
RTA to Assess Safety and Public Transport Integration
RTA Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors Mattar Al Tayer said the Bluewaters trial would help assess how the technology could be incorporated into Dubai’s wider transport network.
The trial is intended to evaluate the system’s ability to provide safe and reliable journeys while exploring opportunities to improve first- and last-mile connectivity.
Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency, previously highlighted the system’s potential for congested urban areas, particularly locations with narrow pathways and heavy traffic.
He had also indicated that the RTA hoped to expand the system to other parts of Dubai within two to three years if the initial testing proved successful.
Parking Facilities Could Become Mobility Hubs
The proposed Metro connections are part of wider plans to integrate Glydways into Dubai’s transport infrastructure.
In April, public parking operator Parkin announced a partnership with Glydways to explore converting selected parking facilities into mobility hubs. Under the concept, motorists could park their cars and continue their journeys using driverless electric pods.
The companies also announced plans to integrate their digital platforms, enabling users to plan, book and manage parking and onward transport through Parkin’s app and website.
If implemented, these connections could help residents combine parking, Metro travel and automated pod services within a single journey, potentially reducing the need to drive directly to their final destinations.
The four-week Bluewaters trial will help the RTA assess the technology’s potential and determine how it could support Dubai’s evolving public transport network.
