The Dubai Government has invested around $20 billion in the development of the emirate's infrastructure and transport during the period from 2006 through 2016, reported state news agency Wam citing a senior government official.

"The RTA is a key partner of the smart city initiative launched by the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, four years ago to transform Dubai into the smartest city in the world, stated Mattar Al Tayer, the director-general and chairman of the board of executive directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

He was speaking at the opening session of IRF Mena Congress held under the theme: "Smart Infrastructure for Mobility Future in Dubai."

"We are spearheading the smart mobility drive and lend support to other key aspects such as the smart economy, smart life, and the smart government," he stated.

RTA’s mobility services are focused on three key drivers: customer centricity, integrated transport, and encouraging the partnership between public and private sectors, explained Al Tayer.

"This sustained strategic direction has brought in a quantum shift evidenced by ranking the UAE Number 1 in the quality of roads for four consecutive years in the international competitiveness index of Davos Global Economic Forum," he added.

According to him, the government has pumped billions of dirhams into transport infrastructure and accordingly, the rate of mass transit means jumped from 6 per cent in 2006 to 16 per cent last year.

"It has also resulted in saving $34 billion as time and fuel wasted by traffic congestions," remarked the RTA chief at the Dubai event.

"Mortality rates too dropped from 22 cases per 100 thousand of population in 2006 to 3.5 per cent per 100 thousand of population by 2016," he added.

In his opening address, Al Tayer also touched on the challenges encountered by the smart infrastructure improvement in Dubai highlighted by the rapid demographic growth of 7 per cent annually.

It is also coupled with the rapid urbanisation, inclement weather conditions and multi-cultural ethnicities, he pointed out.

Other challenges include global challenges relating to legislations and laws, laws and privacy and safety, maturity point and the endorsement of the smart technological systems, he added.