Dubai Road & Transport Authority’s (RTA) Smart Autonomous Vehicle, which had been experimented over two months in the Business Bay district, has claimed an overall satisfaction rating of 91 per cent.

The result is concluded in a survey covering 736 users aged 20-40 as part of RTA’s endeavours to achieve the Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy. The strategy is based on transforming 25 per cent of all trips in Dubai into driverless journeys by 2030.

Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, CEO of Licensing Agency and chairperson of RTA Smart Vehicles Committee, said: “Roads & Transport Authority, in cooperation with Dubai Properties, has conducted a test run of the autonomous vehicle in the Business Bay, having proven successful in Dubai World Trade Center and Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard. The overall satisfaction rating of users has hit 91 per cent according to a survey covering 736 users.”

“The satisfaction rating of vehicle safety specifications reached 92 per cent, while 91 per cent were interested in providing autonomous vehicles as a means of public transport. 80 per cent of respondents expected that the technology would improve traffic safety and reduce road accidents, while 82 per cent expected the technology would ease traffic congestion, and 90 per cent expected the technology to result in less fuel consumption.

“During the trial run, the driverless vehicle has been used in the Business Bay by as many as 1700 riders comprising public transport users and private vehicle owners. The RTA is considering broadening the use of the autonomous vehicle elsewhere in Dubai emirate including metro stations, malls and tourist attractions. Meanwhile, the RTA is drafting regulations and legislations governing the smart transport strategy in the emirate to come out with a clear legal framework that regulates the usage of self-driving vehicles in first and last miles, central areas, commercial complexes, residential areas and parks,” elaborated Bahrozyan.

The smart vehicle is 100 per cent eco-friendly as it runs on electrically powered engines with an eight-hour battery life. The smart vehicle can accommodate up to 10 passengers (6 sitting and 4 standing) and can travel at a speed of 10 km per hour. The vehicle is designed to operate in closed interior streets within residential complexes, entertainment venues and the like.

The vehicle is fitted with high safety and security features, thanks to its four-sided laser sensors using GPS coordinates. It can detect objects up to 40 meters away, automatically slows down when the object is two meters away and comes to a complete halt when the object approaches less than two meters. – TradeArabia News Service