Transport in the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has an extensive and well-developed road network, principally in the northern coastal area where the main population centres are located. Many of these roads have been improved to become multi-lane dual-carriageway motorways, coping with the high demand for road transportation.

The UAE has a right hand traffic. Historically, the UAE had a left hand traffic until 1st September 1966.{{cite web | url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/2021/09/01/remembering-the-day-dubai-swapped-left-hand-driving-for-right/?outputType=amp | title=Remembering the day Dubai swapped left-hand driving for right | date=September 2021 }}

Speed limits are {{convert|160|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}} on freeways (some freeway network's like E22 were imposed with a lower speed limit by the Abu Dhabi Government{{cite news|url=https://www.timeoutabudhabi.com/news/abu-dhabi-road-restrictions|access-date=2023-08-18|title=Abu Dhabi road restrictions: speed limit reduced on major road|newspaper=Time Out Abu Dhabi |date=9 November 2022 }}), {{convert|100|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}} on rural roads, and {{convert|60|or|80|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}} on urban dual-carriageways. Heavy trucks and buses are installed with speed limiters to prevent overspeeding.

In 2006, UAE had a score of 190 killed per million population in traffic collisions linked to high speeds and poor safety culture.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bmj.com/rapid-response/2011/10/31/road-traffic-injuries-middle-east-view-united-arab-emirates|title=Road traffic injuries in the Middle East: A view from the United Arab Emirates|date=30 August 2021|last1=Barss|first1=Peter|last2=Mohamed El-Sadig|first2=Yousef Al-Hosani}}

In 2010, UAE had a score near of 100 killed per million population in traffic collisions.{{cite web|url=https://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/road_safety_status/2013/country_profiles/united_arab_emirates.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419064743/http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/road_safety_status/2013/country_profiles/united_arab_emirates.pdf|archive-date=2018-04-19|url-status=dead|title=UNITED ARAB EMIRATES|access-date=2023-08-18}}

In 2013, UAE had a score near of 109 killed per million population in traffic collisions, as estimated by the WHO{{cite web|url=https://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/road_safety_status/2015/country_profiles/United_Arab_Emirates.pdf|access-date=2023-08-18|title=UNITED ARAB EMIRATES|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160720133430/https://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/road_safety_status/2015/country_profiles/United_Arab_Emirates.pdf|archive-date=2016-07-20|url-status=dead}}

Between 2014 and 2018 peopled killed by traffic has drop by 34%.{{cite web | url=https://www.atlas-mag.net/article/baisse-remarquable-du-taux-de-mortalite-routiere-aux-emirats-arabes-unis | title=Baisse remarquable du taux de mortalité routière aux Emirats arabes unis }}

• E10 Abu Dhabi – Al Shahama. Length: {{convert|44|km|abbr=on}}.
• E11 Al Silaa – Al Jeer. Length: {{convert|583|km|abbr=on}}. This is the most important motorway of the country, stretching from Saudi Arabia to Oman, connecting Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Quwain, Ras al-Khaimah, and other important centres.
• E12 Abu Dhabi – Al Falah. Length: {{convert|34|km|abbr=on}}.
• E14 Abu Dhabi - Al Faqaʻ Road (from E11 to E66). Length: 84 km.
• E15 Ruways – Wasit Oasis. Length: {{convert|145|km|abbr=on}}.
• E16 Al Rahba – Al Saad. Length: {{convert|100|km|abbr=on}}.
• E18 Ras Al Khaimah – Al Manama. Length: {{convert|61|km|abbr=on}}.
• E20 Abu Dhabi – Al Hayer. Length: {{convert|144|km|abbr=on}}.
• E22 Abu Dhabi – Al Ain. Length: {{convert|157|km|abbr=on}}.
• E30 (Abu Dhabi - Al Ain Road; parallel to E 22 Road)
• E44 Dubai–Hatta. Length: {{convert|129|km|abbr=on}}.
• E45 Tarif–Liwa. Length: {{convert|109|km|abbr=on}}.
• E55 Umm al-Quwain – Al Shuwaib. Length: {{convert|131|km|abbr=on}}.
• E66 Dubai – Al Ain. Length: {{convert|130|km|abbr=on}}.
• E75 Saih Sheib – Al Fayah Truck Road
• E77 (Expo Road/Jabal Ali-Lahbab Road). Length: 54 km (33 mi).
• E84 Al Malaiha – Fujairah. Length: {{convert|43|km|abbr=on}}.
• E88 Sharjah – Masafi. Length: {{convert|77|km|abbr=on}}.
• E89 Diba al Fujairah – Fujairah. Length: {{convert|66|km|abbr=on}}.
• E99 Diba al Fujairah – Kalba. Length: {{convert|82|km|abbr=on}}.
• E102 Sharjah – Kalba. Length: {{convert|119|km|abbr=on}}.
• E311 Abu Dhabi – Ras al Khaimah. Length: {{convert|139|km|abbr=on}}.
• E611 Dubai – Umm al-Quwain. Also known as Emirates Road, formerly Dubai Bypass Road. Length: {{convert|110|km|abbr=on}}.

The population of the UAE increased from 344,513 in 1971 to 9,591,853 in 2024.{{Cite web |title=UAE Population 1950-2024 |url=https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/countries/ARE/uae/population |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=www.macrotrends.net}} The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure is responsible for maintaining highways and road connection between emirates. The highways and road infrastructure is monitored 24/7 by the ministry which utilizes Artificial Intelligence to monitor traffic.{{Cite web |title=وزير الطاقة: إجراءات جديدة لحل الازدحام المروري بين دبي والإمارات الشمالية |url=https://www.argaam.com/ar/article/articledetail/id/1700018 |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=أرقام |language=ar}}

File:Percentage Pie chart.png

People spend 20 hours per week stuck in traffic (around 8.4% of their weekly time).{{Cite web |last=Sadaqat |first=Rohma |title=Dubai-Sharjah traffic rush could cost Dh12 billion |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/dubai-sharjah-traffic-rush-could-cost-dh12-billion |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=Khaleej Times |language=en}} Dubai emirate comes in first place with 1.44 million vehicles per emirate, followed by Abu Dhabi with 0.98 million vehicles, then Sharjah with 0.46 million vehicles. In contrast, the other emirates combined (Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah) have around 0.63 million vehicles.{{Cite web |title=Automotive Fleet Market Size - UAE |url=https://askwonder.com/research/automotive-fleet-market-size-uae-5h1c3e9m8 |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=Wonder |language=en}}

Dubai, being a globally recognized and go-to destination city with nearly 66.6 million visitors annually, has some challenges when it comes to traffic congestion between the two main roads that connect the other Emirates and the Dubai Emirate called: “UAE road” and “Mohammed Bin Zayed road”.{{Cite web |title=Transport |url=https://www.dsc.gov.ae/en-us/Themes/Pages/Transport.aspx?Theme=31 |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=www.dsc.gov.ae}} These roads play an important role in daily commuting because they act as a vital artery, linking the emirates of the country to each other.{{Cite web |date=2013-04-06 |title=محمد بن راشد يأمر بإطلاق اسم «شارع الإمارات» على طريق دبي العابر |url=https://www.emaratalyoum.com/local-section/other/2013-04-07-1.563759 |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=www.emaratalyoum.com |language=ar}} Furthermore, these roads act as a traffic hub, contributing to facilitating traffic flow and the movement of transport between the Emirates.

Several factors contributed to the increased traffic congestion experienced by many drivers in the UAE over the past years, as follows:

• Urbanization: Due to the rapid increase of populations in urban areas, more people opted to own their vehicles for transportation.{{Cite web |last=Zhuomin |first=Dai |title=Analysis Model of Conventional Public Transport Hub Based on Grey Correlation Degree |url=https://aus.on.worldcat.org/search/detail/9271879881?queryString=urbanization%20AND%20transport&catalog=ext&clusterResults=true&groupVariantRecords=false |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=aus.on.worldcat.org}}
• Population growth: In the year 2012 Dubai’s Population was close to 2.3 million individuals. By the year 2022, Dubai has noted an increase in its population by 52.5% reaching 3.5 million people in 10 years.{{Cite web |title=Population and Vital Statistics |url=https://www.dsc.gov.ae/en-us/Themes/Pages/Population-and-Vital-Statistics.aspx?Theme=42 |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=www.dsc.gov.ae}}
• Economic: Traffic congestion increases the total cost of delivering goods, by delaying the arrival of goods. In addition, traffic congestion increases operational costs on the business corporation level. {{Cite book |last1=Zheyi |first1=Su |title=The Comparative Study on Elasticity of Traffic Congestion Delay Cost in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou |last2=Junmin |first2=Wu |date=2021 |publisher=EDP Sciences }}

Each minute a car's engine is turned on while being stuck in traffic causes significant fuel consumption, with approximately 1.6 million liters of fuel being consumed annually, which results in an increased amount of money spent on fuel refills. {{Cite book |last1=Jereb |first1=Borut |title=The Impact of Traffic Flow on Fuel Consumption Increase in the Urban Environment |last2=Kumperščak |first2=Samo |last3=Bratina |first3=Tadej}}

Yearly CO2 emissions due to traffic congestion reach 105 Kilograms of Carbon Dioxide released into the atmosphere, which leads to global warming. {{Cite web |title=United Arab Emirates traffic report {{!}} TomTom Traffic Index |url=https://www.tomtom.com/traffic-index/united-arab-emirates-country-traffic/ |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=United Arab Emirates traffic report {{!}} TomTom Traffic Index}}

Six people were killed, at least 40 were injured and dozens of vehicles burned March 11, 2008 when hundreds of cars collided on a fog-shrouded Abu Dhabi–Dubai highway.{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/03/11/emirates.wreck/index.html|title=Dozens of vehicles burn in massive Emirates wreck - CNN.com|website=CNN|access-date=4 June 2017}}

File:Abu Dhabi Bus 56.JPG

Bus services were introduced in Abu Dhabi by the Emirate in 2008 with four routes which were zero fare in their pilot year.{{cite news |title=All aboard for a free ride |url=http://www.thenational.ae/article/20080630/PAGETHREE/354619655 |publisher=The National |date=30 June 2008 |access-date=2008-07-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915102917/http://www.thenational.ae/article/20080630/PAGETHREE/354619655 |archive-date=15 September 2008 }} At the end of 2011, bus services in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi provided more than 95 service routes with 650 buses to transport 50 million passengers in the region. In the Bus Network Plan in 2013, 14 bus routes were operated in Abu Dhabi City.{{Cite web|url=https://dot.abudhabi.ae/en/info/Abu_Dhabi_Region_Bus_Services|title=Abu Dhabi Region Bus Services|website=dot.abudhabi.ae|access-date=2016-11-09}}

In Dubai, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) operates bus services under the name DubaiBus. Buses in Sharjah are operated by Mowasalat, and in Ajman by the Ajman Transport Authority. There are also buses operating between the different Emirates due to the lack of rail connectivity, although this is planned to be rectified in the near future.{{cite web|url=http://www.etihadrail.ae/|title=Etihad Rail|website=Etihad Rail|access-date=4 June 2017|archive-date=29 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429183814/http://www.etihadrail.ae/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.arabiansupplychain.com/article-10819-etihad-rail-set-to-award-phase-2-of-11bn-rail-plan/|title=Etihad Rail set to award phase 2 of $11bn rail plan - ArabianSupplyChain.com|first=ASC|last=Staff|website=www.arabiansupplychain.com|access-date=4 June 2017}}

Fares on Abu Dhabi buses are paid by the Hafilat Card since 2015, which is a contactless smart card to be flashed when entering and exiting the bus at mini-terminals inside of the bus.{{Cite web|url=https://dot.abudhabi.ae/en/mediainfo/hafilat_smart_card|title=Hafilat smart card|website=dot.abudhabi.ae|access-date=2018-11-26|archive-date=2018-06-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180611180227/http://dot.abudhabi.ae/en/mediainfo/Hafilat_smart_card|url-status=dead}} It is currently only available for bus travelers but will gradually be expanded into the water transport systems and the planned Abu Dhabi Metro, Etihad Rail and the Abu Dhabi Tram System. The Ojra card is used by frequent travellers.

The Nol card is a contactless smart card used for Public Transport around Dubai and purchasing goods on ZOOM.{{Cite web|title=Public transport in the UAE: a guide to getting around {{!}} Expatica|url=https://www.expatica.com/ae/living/transportation/public-transportation-in-the-uae-71485/|access-date=2021-07-29|website=Expat Guide to United Arab Emirates {{!}} Expatica|language=en-US}} It is also used for payment on buses between Dubai and other cities.

File:Dubai metro taxi.jpg in Bur Dubai, Dubai, April 2022]]

File:13-08-06-abu-dhabi-by-RalfR-114.jpg

Taxis in the UAE accept card payments.

{{main article|Rail transport in the United Arab Emirates}}

Etihad Rail is a state-owned company, and is the national railway company. It was set up in 2009 to manage a national-level freight and passenger rail network within the country, and later to other nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council as part of Gulf Railway. The first phase of the system is complete and freight service has begun. The second phase will connect the railway to Mussafah, Khalifa and Jebel Ali ports in Dubai, and is planned to connect to the Saudi and Omani borders. In January 2016, construction of phase two was suspended for re-evaluation, while service on phase one continued. Costing approximately US$10 billion, the three-stage rail system is planned to have {{convert|1200|km|abbr=on}} of railway connecting cities in UAE and linking to other Gulf countries. Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Khor Fakkan will be linked by Etihad Rail when construction is completed.{{Cite news|url=http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/2017-abu-dhabi-to-dubai-by-train-2013-07-03-1.512950|title=2017: Abu Dhabi to Dubai by train|last=Wam|newspaper=Emirates 24{{!}}7|language=en-GB|access-date=2016-11-09}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/energy/abu-dhabi-suspends-stage-two-etihad-rail-tendering-process|title=UAE's Etihad Rail stage two tendering process suspended - Khaleej Times|last=Haider|first=Haseeb|website=www.khaleejtimes.com|access-date=2016-11-09}}

The Dubai Metro has operated since 2009, and the Abu Dhabi Metro is currently under construction.

The Dubai Tram was launched in November 2014, and operates mainly in the Dubai Marina with new stations being constructed.{{Cite web|url=http://www.alsufouhtram.com/|title=Dubai Tram|website=www.alsufouhtram.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-08-23}} Another tram system is being planned for Sharjah and Ajman.{{cite web|url=http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/tram-in-sharjah-where-is-it-being-built-click-to-know-2015-09-03-1.602176|title=Tram in Sharjah: Where is it being built... click to know|first=Parag|last=Deulgaonkar|date=3 September 2015|access-date=4 June 2017}}

A high-speed train project connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai was announced in January 2025.{{Cite web|url=https://railway-news.com/uae-etihad-rail-to-launch-high-speed-train-from-abu-dhabi-to-dubai|title=UAE: Etihad Rail to Launch High-Speed Train from Abu Dhabi to Dubai|first=Tiana|last=May|website=railway-news.com|date=January 24, 2025|access-date=April 15, 2025}}

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) started applying an advanced program in 2010 that allows the assessment of aircraft registered in foreign countries in order to ensure their safety and airworthiness.{{cite web|url=http://www.arabiansupplychain.com/article-3702-breaking-news-uae-bans-antonov-an-12-aircraft/#.UcaD7BZCWxI|title=Breaking News: UAE bans ANTONOV An-12 Aircraft - ArabianSupplyChain.com|first=Robeel|last=Haq|website=www.arabiansupplychain.com|access-date=4 June 2017}} In 2011, it banned all aircraft registered in Congo DR, Eswatini, Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone and São Tomé and Príncipe due to their poor safety standards.{{cite web| title =United Arab Emirates bans Congo registered aircraft| publisher =eTN| url =http://www.eturbonews.com/14630/united-arab-emirates-bans-congo-registered-aircraft| access-date =22 March 2011| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20120317233132/http://www.eturbonews.com/14630/united-arab-emirates-bans-congo-registered-aircraft| archive-date =17 March 2012}}

{{main article|List of airports in the United Arab Emirates}}

Dubai International Airport was the busiest airport in the world by international passenger traffic in 2014.{{Cite news|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/11372616/Dubai-overtakes-Heathrow-to-become-worlds-busiest-airport.html|title = Dubai Overtakes Heathrow To Become World's Busiest|last = Anderson|first = Elizabeth|date = 27 January 2015|work = The Telegraph}} Abu Dhabi International Airport is the second-largest airport in the UAE. Due to the announced expansion of Al Maktoum Airport on 28 April 2024, Dubai International Airport will be shut down once Al Maktoum Airport expansion will be completed.{{Cite web |last=Kamel |first=Deena |date=2024-04-29 |title=Dubai to scrap dual airport operations once move to mega-hub at Al Maktoum is complete |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/aviation/2024/04/29/dubai-to-scrap-dual-airport-operations-once-move-to-mega-hub-at-al-maktoum-is-complete/ |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=The National |language=en}}

There are 42 airports in the UAE {{as of|2013|lc=y|post=.}}

Heliports: Five are known {{as of|2013|lc=y|post=.}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/united-arab-emirates/|title=The World Factbook — Central Intelligence Agency|website=www.cia.gov|language=en|access-date=2018-01-24}}

File:Emirates Airbus A380-861 A6-EER MUC 2015 01.jpg]]

{{main article|List of airlines of the United Arab Emirates}}

Emirates is the biggest national airline of the UAE and is owned by Government of Dubai.{{Cite news|url=http://www.gulfnews.com/business/Aviation/10271373.html|title=Emirates and Dnata now under ICD {{!}} GulfNews.com|date=2013-01-03|work=archive.is|access-date=2018-01-24|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103040416/http://www.gulfnews.com/business/Aviation/10271373.html|archive-date=2013-01-03}} Etihad Airways is the second-largest national airline and is owned by Government of Abu Dhabi.{{Cite news|url=https://www.etihad.com/en-us/about-us/corporate-profile/|title=Corporate profile - Etihad Airways|work=Etihad Global|access-date=2018-01-24|language=en}} Other airlines are flyDubai, Air Arabia and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi.

• Crude oil, {{convert|830|km|mi|0}}
• Natural gas, including natural gas liquids, {{convert|870|km|mi|0}}{{citation needed|date=June 2014}}

The major ports are Khalifa Port, Zayed Port, Port of Jebel Ali, Port Rashid, Port Khalid, Port Saeed, and Container Port Khor Fakkan. Other ports include Fujairah Port (a bunkering port), Das Island (tanker port).{{Cite web |title=WPS - Index of ports in United Arab Emirates |url=http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/index/ARE.php |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=World Port Source}}{{Cite web |title=WPS - Map of ports in United Arab Emirates |url=http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/ARE.php |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=World Port Source}}

The merchant marine consisted of 68 ships of 1,000 gross tonnage (GT) or over, totaling 1,107,442 GT or {{DWT|1,795,235|metric|disp=long}} in the following types (1999 est.):{{citation needed|date=June 2014}}

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}

• bulk, 1
• cargo, 18
• chemical tanker, 3
• container, 8
• liquified gas, 1
• livestock carrier, 1
• passenger, 1
• petroleum tanker, 27
• roll-on/roll-off, 7
• specialized tanker, 1

{{end div col}}

{{Portal|Railways}}

• Transportation in Dubai

{{Reflist}}

{{United Arab Emirates topics}}

{{Asia topic|Transport in}}

{{Asia in topic|Rail transport in}}

{{Commons category|Transport in the United Arab Emirates}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transportation In The United Arab Emirates}}