United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Dubai
UMR Index Rank
#32
(-3)
Score: 54%
Sustainable Mobility
#51
(=)
Score: 38.5%
Public Transit
#32
(=)
Score: 50.2%
Technology Adoption
#13
Score: 54.1%
| Population | 4.0 million |
| Surface area (km2) | 1,507 |
| Population-density (people/km2) | 2,653 |
| GDP per capita ($) | 46,700 |
UMR Index Rank
#32
(-3)
Score: 54%
Sustainable Mobility
#51
(=)
Score: 38.5%
Public Transit
#32
(=)
Score: 50.2%
Technology Adoption
#13
Score: 54.1%
What Dubai Does Well In Urban Mobility
Dubai performs particularly well on the Technology Adoption sub-index, where it ranks 13th globally and first in the Middle East. This result follows substantial government investment in mobility sharing and technologies for connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs). Dubai’s adoption of CAVs is accelerating: Robo-taxi trials were conducted in the city in 2023, and regulations for autonomous vehicles were updated in 2024. Additionally, by 2030 Dubai aims to have 4,000 robo-taxis in use and to have 25% of all transportation, including public transport, be autonomous. An automated metro already exists.
Aside from investing in new technologies, Dubai has developed an affordable and efficient public transit system on par with many leading global cities. The Road and Transport Authority’s nol card allows seamless access to the metro, buses, and water taxis. After being loaded with at least AED25 ($6.80) in credits, the card covers two to six trips depending on the city zone. Credits are valid for five years. The Government of Dubai also developed a multimodal app called RTA Dubai, which makes it easy to plan and pay for trips using all mobility modes, from public transit to car parking and taxi booking.
Urban Mobility Readiness Index, Sustainable Mobility, Public Transit, and Technology Adoption scores
Source: Oliver Wyman Forum and University of California, Berkeley
Challenges And Opportunities For Dubai’s Transportation System
Many of Dubai's residents prefer to use private cars or taxis to travel around the city rather than mass transit or active mobility modes like walking and cycling. This car dependence leads to high congestion levels. While the hot climate may explain some of this reluctance, the lack of suitable cycling and walking infrastructure is also a disincentive. However, Dubai has a plan to establish a 20-minute walkable city that would enable residents to reach essential services, like schools or public transit, by walking or cycling.
Dubai offers incentives such as free parking for electric vehicles (EVs), but a low density of charging stations isn't helping EV adoption. The city has acknowledged this shortcoming and plans to add 1,000 chargers by 2025, tripling the current number. Such investments will be necessary for Dubai to achieve its target of having 50% of all vehicles be electric by 2050.
Dimensions of the Urban Mobility Readiness Index score
Source: Oliver Wyman Forum and University of California, Berkeley
How Dubai Can Improve Its Urban Mobility Performance
Like other cities in the region, Dubai’s EV charging network is underdeveloped. To become a leader, Dubai can accelerate the deployment of charging stations. The city can increase government-backed investments in public charging stations and subsidize station deployment in private parking areas. It also can invest more in e-buses, which would contribute positively to electrification as well as sustainability goals.
cycling infrastructure to discourage private vehicle use. That should include integrating the cycling network with the public transport network to encourage greater use. Given the hot climate, Dubai can provide subsidies for e-bikes or invest in e-bike sharing projects to encourage adoption. Investing in greater public transit station density, for example by targeting the economic hubs of the city located in the west and south for its metro expansion or increasing bus routes and bus stops, will also be beneficial, as it can further improve the public transit offering.
Urban Mobility Readiness Index relative ranking evolution (2020-2024)
Source: Oliver Wyman Forum and University of California, Berkeley