Abu Dhabi
UMR Index
Score: 52.4%
Sustainable Mobility
Score: 35.4%
Public Transit
Score: 37.2%
| Population | 1.5 million |
| Surface area (km2) | 1,064 |
| Population-density (people/km2) | 1,382 |
| GDP per capita ($) | 116,111 |
What Abu Dhabi Does Well in Urban Mobility
Abu Dhabi's interconnected roadway system is world class, and the city is known for having little traffic and low fatality rates bolstered by strict enforcement of traffic laws. The city’s 2030 plan aims to reduce traffic growth and congestion by shifting residents away from personal motorized vehicles.
In a city accustomed to cars for hire, residents have been quick to embrace mobility sharing, in particular ride-hailing. In August 2023, Abu Dhabi announced that its self-driving taxi fleet – the first in the United Arab Emirates – completed 17,000 passenger journeys as of November 2022.
Urban Mobility Readiness Index, Sustainable Mobility and Public Transit scores
Challenges and Opportunities for Abu Dhabi’s Transportation System
Abu Dhabi has low public transit ridership due to limited operating hours and low station density, although its 2030 plan aims to create a multimodal public transit network.
The city lacks active mobility options, with limited car-free zones and cycling infrastructure, and its climate discourages outdoor activity for large parts of the year.
Dimensions of the Urban Mobility Readiness Index score
How Abu Dhabi Can Improve Its Public Transportation and Sustainable Mobility
While the United Arab Emirates aims for electric vehicles (EVs) to account for half of all cars by 2050, Abu Dhabi lags behind in offering EV incentives. Abu Dhabi can increase its monetary incentives package — purchase subsidies or tax exemptions — or introduce non-monetary incentives, like EV-only lanes. In addition, the city could implement a low-emission zone (LEZ) to limit combustion engine car usage and encourage EV adoption by providing priority access to key areas in the city. That said, Abu Dhabi already has waived toll fees for EV drivers.
Abu Dhabi's public transit system is underutilized with commuters often opting for personal cars. To become a regional leader, the city would need to increase its public transit modal share by more than double. Abu Dhabi could focus on closing this gap by increasing its transit offerings and limiting car usage, which the city has begun to do. Abu Dhabi can increase mass transit operating hours and commute speeds (via priority bus lanes) and invest in the infrastructure required to build a metro system.