RTA to promote safe driving framework for AVs

The Government of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the World Economic Forum to promote autonomous vehicle (AV) safety.

The MoU covers strategic partnerships between the two parties, particularly those relevant to the World Economic Forum’s Safe Drive Initiative Framework (SafeDI Framework).

Public Transport Authority CEO and Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport head Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan said: “Under the MoU, the RTA will develop a scenario-based framework to assess the safety of autonomous vehicles and provide the required information, technical support and training for participants in the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport.

“Dubai will thus be the first city in the world to adopt this framework. The MoU enables the sharing of technical knowledge and experience at all levels.”

The MoU will support Dubai’s aim of having self-driving trips make up 25% of total trips in the city by 2030.

To meet this goal, the RTA organises the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport, an international competition for industry leaders, start-ups and academia that work to address transport challenges faced by global cities.

Bahrozyan said: “The RTA recently announced the qualification of 13 local and international organisations for the final stage of the second edition of the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport under the Pioneering Companies and Academic Institutions categories of the Challenge.”

The theme of the second edition of this year’s challenge is that of Self-driving Logistics Services, including ground transport and drones.

The winners are due to be announced and honoured in an international event by October.

In October 2018, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority announced that it would begin trialling self-driving taxis.