Until 2030… Dubai Roads adopts the five-year plan for the flexible mobility project

The Roads and Transport Authority has approved the five-year plan to expand the flexible mobility system until 2030, which aims to enhance the connection of residential neighborhoods with mass transit stations, and build an integrated urban transportation system that supports first- and last-mile trips, and makes the movement of residents and visitors easier and safer.

The plan includes developing infrastructure in 25 residential areas, and improving the infrastructure around mass transit stations, in 63 stations, by 2030.

The selection of the areas in which the flexible mobility project is implemented is based on a number of priorities, including the availability of mass transportation means and the presence of a high percentage of its users, in addition to the population density in those areas, the type of land use: (residential, commercial, or residential/commercial), and the current status of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure in the area, in addition to future development plans for the area based on the Dubai Urban Plan 2040.

Future mobility system

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, said: “The plan comes within the framework of the Authority’s efforts to consolidate Dubai’s position as the best city to live in the world, and to develop an integrated and sustainable transportation system that keeps pace with urban and population growth, and enhances the quality of life. He stressed that flexible mobility has become one of the strategic capabilities of the future mobility system, and a major element in enhancing the integration of means of transportation, consolidating the position of mass transit as the first choice for transportation, and supporting Dubai’s goals in sustainability and quality of life. In line with Dubai Urban Plan 2040.”

Al Tayer added: “The transportation sector in the world is witnessing a qualitative shift in the philosophy of infrastructure development, and the main criterion for success has become measured by the ability of the transportation system to provide an integrated, safe, and smooth journey that allows residents and visitors to move between various means of transportation easily, efficiently, and safely. He stressed that Dubai has succeeded in building one of the most advanced mass transportation systems in the world, by enhancing integration between the road network and various means of mass transportation and individual means of transportation, and the number of pedestrian trips increased from 326 million trips in 2024. To 342 million trips in 2025, with a growth rate of 5%, the level of infrastructure maturity around mass transit stations rose to 87%, and the pedestrian satisfaction rate in the Emirate of Dubai rose to 89%. The number of bicycle trips also increased from 46.6 million trips in 2024, to 57.3 million trips in 2025, with an increase of 23%, and the number of electric scooter trips increased from 32.3 million trips in 2015. 2024, to 39.6 million trips in 2025, a growth rate of approximately 23%.”

Enhancing the attractiveness of mass transit

He also stressed that the authority views the development of the urban environment surrounding mass transit stations as a strategic investment that enhances the benefit from the transportation infrastructure and raises the attractiveness of using mass transportation, as providing pedestrian and bicycle paths, safe pedestrian crossings, the requirements of people of determination, shading and urban beautification elements, and stations and parking lots for shared means of transportation, such as Careem bikes and scooter rental companies, contribute to encouraging residents to adopt more sustainable modes of transportation, and enhance the interconnection between the various components of the city, indicating that the next phase will focus To complete the last link in the customer’s journey, by developing the requirements of the first mile and the last mile, and connecting residential neighborhoods, business centers and vital facilities to metro stations, buses and other means of mass transportation, so that each station turns into an integrated transportation center, allowing residents and visitors a more flexible, efficient and sustainable service.

Plan details

The five-year plan for flexible mobility includes developing flexible mobility elements in 25 residential areas, bringing the total targeted areas to 34 residential areas by 2030. Mobility elements are currently being applied in 5 regions: Dubai Marina, Al Murar, Naif, Al Raqqa, and Al Muraqqabat. It also includes improving the infrastructure around 63 mass transit stations by 2030, to enhance ease of access to metro and bus stations, and raise the efficiency of the integrated mobility system. The plan supports Dubai’s approach. Towards increasing reliance on mass transportation and sustainable transportation, an integrated system will be implemented with infrastructure elements that are friendly to all and integrated by strengthening the connection between development projects, attractions, and mass transportation stations, using individual means of transportation such as walking, bicycles, and (electric scooters), while developing first- and last-mile requirements, by providing a set of elements and requirements for transportation integration such as bicycle paths, pedestrian crossings and rest stops, shaded areas and paths, landscaping, vehicle parking, and sites. Boarding and disembarking passengers, and bicycle parking.

Completed stages

In the recent period, the Authority has developed elements of flexible mobility in nine residential areas: Al Mankhool, Al Qusais, Al Karama, Al Barsha (1), Al Barsha (2), Al Khawaneej (2), Hor Al Anz, Abu Hail, and the Grand Souq. The Authority has also developed the environment around 37 metro stations, the most important of which are the Mall of the Emirates, Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, On Pacific, Gold Souk, Burjuman, Baniyas, and Sharaf DG stations. And Abu Hail, where an integrated network of pedestrian and bicycle paths was implemented, sidewalks were developed, safe pedestrian crossings were established, and the requirements of people of determination were provided, mobility centers, stations and parking lots for shared means of transportation, and urban beautification works, which contribute to enhancing first- and last-mile trips, and achieving greater integration between various means of transportation.

The initiative to promote flexible mobility embodies the vision of the Roads and Transport Authority to move to building an interconnected urban transportation system, in which the road network is integrated with the mass transportation system, which includes the Dubai Metro and Tram, public transportation buses, marine transportation, taxis, and individual transportation means, within one network that provides a smooth, safe, and sustainable transportation journey, supports economic and urban growth, and enhances Dubai’s competitiveness and its global leadership in the field of smart mobility and quality of life.

Comprehensive study

It is noteworthy that the Roads and Transport Authority conducted a comprehensive study to build a structural plan for transportation without vehicles in the Emirate of Dubai, which focused on providing the appropriate infrastructure for relatively long and medium trips to ensure safe and easy transportation for all, and developed a strategy to expand the use of individual means of transportation: (non-motorized) transportation modes, with the aim of creating a population-friendly infrastructure, providing a qualified environment for people of determination, within the right of way, and enhancing the interconnection between the components of the city by facilitating the possibility of movement between development projects and attractions, developing standards and requirements for the first mile and the last mile, and increasing the proportion of Using non-traditional means of transportation (without motors) such as walking and cycling, and developing a guide to transportation integration requirements and standards and applying them to all RTA projects.

Transportation integration

The flexible mobility project includes the development of transportation integration elements, which are: requirements for people of determination, elevated pedestrian crossing areas, speed-reducing means, identifying bicycle paths of various types, and bicycle parking, in addition to installing information signs and warning signs, sidewalk modifications, shared road paths between vehicles and non-traditional means of transportation, implementing rest areas that include green spaces and seating areas, as well as implementing shaded areas and corridors that encourage residents to move freely, in addition to providing parking for vehicles. And sites for boarding and disembarking passengers, and stations and stops for shared transportation, in a way that enhances the quality of life of the residents of the Emirate of Dubai.