What To Know
- With a dedicated guideway system and AI-powered management, Glydways could move over 10,000 people per hour in each direction, offering a fast, reliable, and eco-friendly alternative to traditional road travel.
- The announcement was made during the World Governments Summit 2026, where the city is showcasing a series of innovative projects aimed at improving urban mobility, sustainability, and overall quality of life.
- Dubai is the latest city to adopt the American automated transit network, with Abu Dhabi also expected to implement Glydways in the future.
Dubai is taking another leap into the future of urban transport. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a bold new initiative designed to tackle the emirate’s notorious traffic: Glydways — a network of small, self-driving electric vehicles operating on narrow, dedicated tracks.
The announcement was made during the World Governments Summit 2026, where the city is showcasing a series of innovative projects aimed at improving urban mobility, sustainability, and overall quality of life.
How Glydways Works
Glydways pods are fully autonomous and designed to transport between four and six passengers per vehicle. Each pod has a range of 250 km and is capable of reaching speeds of up to 50 km/h. With a dedicated guideway system and AI-powered management, Glydways could move over 10,000 people per hour in each direction, offering a fast, reliable, and eco-friendly alternative to traditional road travel.
The vehicles are compact enough to operate in spaces similar to a bike lane, ensuring that they can integrate seamlessly into existing city streets without disrupting traffic flow. Riders will benefit from on-demand, direct, and affordable transport available 24/7, according to the RTA.
Dubai Joins the Global Glydways Network
Dubai is the latest city to adopt the American automated transit network, with Abu Dhabi also expected to implement Glydways in the future. While exact routes have not yet been confirmed, the RTA emphasizes that the system is cost-effective, quick to deploy, and scalable, making it a viable solution for rapid urban expansion.
“The Glydways project represents a significant step forward in smart transportation,” said an RTA spokesperson. “By combining autonomous technology, dedicated guideways, and AI management, we are creating a safer, faster, and more sustainable way for people to move around the city.”
Early Showcase at the World Governments Summit
The initiative is currently being showcased at the World Governments Summit 2026, running from February 3 to February 5. Attendees are getting a glimpse of the pods in action and exploring how the system could integrate with Dubai’s existing transportation network.
Though still in the early planning phase, Glydways has already sparked excitement among city planners, tech enthusiasts, and residents eager for more sustainable alternatives to traditional road traffic.
With traffic congestion continuing to challenge Dubai’s growing population, Glydways promises a futuristic, efficient, and flexible transport solution — one that could redefine urban commuting not just in Dubai, but across the region.
Images: Glydways/Website
