Dubai’s Transportation System Advancements in the 21st Century Lead Researcher: Jaclyn Welch, B.S. Computer Science Abstract Findings The advancement of Dubai’s transportation system over the last two decades is regarded as being at the forefront of • Public safety, efficiency, and ease of transportation for technological advancements, focusing mainly on the driverless tourists, mainly English-speaking tourists are main factors train system, the efficient traffic flow, and the strict, safety- considered during the development of the transportation focused taxi regulations. Such swift developments provide an system. opportunity for research into how these developments were made possible and how accessible and user friendly this system is for • There were no signs of financial restraint or limitations for tourists. Answering this question could provide a blueprint for extravagance or safety developing cities focusing on tourism to maximize efficiency when planning their transportation systems “from scratch” in the • Extensive roadway engineering, nonstop construction, and same manner as Dubai. exploitation of migrant workers made development This research utilized field observations, informal interviews, Pictured above: As can be seen from the top of the Burj Khalifa, Dubai’s possible. and artifact collection to gather data. Triangulation of the data transportation heavily utilizes overpasses and other layered highways and roads to maximize efficiency and minimize travel time, especially in busier, tourist- lead to the findings that the meticulous engineering of the focused areas. This is made possible by the development of the road system • Drone taxis and ongoing construction in barren areas roadways, exploitive working conditions of emigrants, constant taking place in the 21st century. indicates continuing progress. construction, and prioritization of tourism are the main factors Methodology that have given Dubai’s transportation system its cutting edge in the last two decades. While these rapid developments mark a new • This research utilized field observations, informal interviews, and artifact era of technological advancement on a grand infrastructural scale collection for data collection. Following the data collection, the data was and can serve as a model for up and coming cities, the coded for common themes and similarities. These themes were compared manipulation of poor migrant workers is an injustice which to themes found in the literature and the researcher’s personal bias and cannot be dismissed in the name of progress. background was accounted for in the findings.

• Factors the researcher specifically noted were expense, safety, and “user Research Questions friendliness” (defined by simplicity transportation is for diverse travelers to use, i.e. multilingual labels, maps, signs, available attendants) 1. What factors are prioritized in the design of Pictured above: On many Dubai highways, there will be four to six lanes with Dubai’s transportation system? • Field Observations: Throughout the researcher’s time in Dubai, they many turn-off lanes in different directions. The purpose of this is to combat rush hour traffic and maintain the flow of traffic in busy areas. Ample signage utilized every kind of transportation available – trains, taxis, automobiles is posted well in advance so drivers unfamiliar with the roadways have plenty – and took photos, videos, and notes about all observable aspects of each of information to make turns in time. There are many turn-off lanes on these 2. What factors contributed to the speed of the highways, given that a driver does miss a turn, it will not cost them must time. development? form of travel. Expected limitations included language barriers, expense, This ties into the efficiency and user-friendliness of the transportation system. and the researcher’s unfamiliarity with the transportation system. 3. What progress is currently being made to • Informal Interviews: The researcher conducted informal interviews with continue development on the transportation References other tourists in Dubai about their feelings regarding the transportation 1. Al-Mahadin, Aziz and. Mustafa, Mohamad Y . "Utilizing fuel cell technology for systems? Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)." 2018 Advances in Science and system. These interviews were semi-structured, focusing on the subject’s Engineering Technology International Conferences (ASET), Abu Dhabi, 2018, pp. 1-6 experience traveling in Dubai. 2. Buckley, M. (2013), Locating Neoliberalism in Dubai: Migrant Workers and Class Struggle in the Autocratic City. Antipode, 45: 256-274. 3. Creswell, John W., & J. David Creswell. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, • Collection of Artifacts: The research kept train tickets, took pictures, and Mixed Methods Approaches (5th ed.), Las Angeles, CA: SAGE, 2018. 4. "Dubai Taxi fosters innovation in transport services." Reseller Middle East 27 June videos, and journal notes of experiences with the airport, taxis, trains, 2018. Business Insights: Essentials. Web. 21 Apr. 2019. 5. "Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies pave a clear path towards the future: Dubai roadways, and anything else related to the transportation system. ruler." Reseller Middle East 18 Sept. 2018. Business Insights: Essentials. Web. 21 Apr. 2019. 6. Pacione, Michael. “Dubai.” Cities, vol. 22, no. 3, 2005, pp. 255-265. Elvsvier, Pictured left: Dubai’s government places strict rules and regulations on 7. "Public-private partnerships crucial for Dubai's future transportation: RTA,." Reseller the taxi industry. Wages are set by the government, security cameras Middle East, 13 Feb. 2018. Business Insights: Essentials. Web. 21 Apr. 2019. are placed in every taxi, and every taxi’s information as well as the 8. Raj Bridgelall, Pan Lu, Denver D. Tolliver, and Tai Xu, “Mining Connected Vehicle information of the driver are clearly posted for riders to view. The Data for Beneficial Patterns in Dubai Taxi Operations,” Journal of Advanced phone number for the Road and Transit Authority (RTA) is printed Transportation, vol. 2018, Article ID 8963234, 8 pages, 2018. 9. "RTA to keep an eye on Dubai cabbies." Reseller Middle East 21 May 2018. Business Pictured above: On all trains in Dubai, there are women and children only cabins designated below the taxi number so riders can call with any issues they may be having. This information is printed on both sides of the back seat, as Insights: Essentials. Web. 21 Apr. 2019. with the above label. This policy is enforced by officers that wait on the platform to ensure no 10. Schlote, Christiane (2014) Writing Dubai: Indian labour migrants and taxi well as details regarding the security cameras, which can be found on men enter the cabin. The purpose of these cabins is to ensure the safety and comfort of topographies, South Asian Diaspora, 6:1, 33-46. travelers using public transportation and follows the theme of safety and tourism being each rear window. 11. “ValueWalk: Passenger drones: A new mode of transportation in Dubai” (2017). integrated in the design of the transportation system. Chatham: Newstex.