The Dubai Government has invested around US$20 billion in the development of the emirate's infrastructure and transport during the period from 2006 through 2016, Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, RTA, has stated.

"The Dubai Government has pumped billions of dirhams in this sector and the sustained strategic direction has brought in a quantum shift evidenced by ranking the UAE Number One in the quality of roads for four consecutive years in the international competitiveness index of Davos Global Economic Forum," he said in his speech delivered to the opening session of IRF MENA Congress held under the theme: "Smart Infrastructure for Mobility Future in Dubai".

"It has also resulted in saving $34 billion as time and fuel wasted by traffic congestions. Expenditure on RTA projects during 2006 and 2016 amounted to $20 billion. Accordingly, the rate of mass transit means jumped from 6 percent in 2006 to 16 percent in 2016. Mortality rate has also dropped from 22 cases per 100 thousand of population in 2006 to 3.5 percent per 100 thousand of population by 2016," said Al Tayer.

"The RTA is a key partner of the smart city initiative launched by the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, four years ago to transform Dubai into the smartest city in the world. The RTA is spearheading the smart mobility drive and lends support to other key aspects such as the smart economy, smart life, and the smart government. RTA’s mobility services are focused on three key drivers: customer centricity, integrated transport, and encouraging the partnership between public and private sectors," said Al Tayer.

He also touched on the challenges encountered by the smart infrastructure improvement in Dubai highlighted by the rapid demographic growth of 7% pa. It is also coupled with the rapid urbanisation, inclement weather conditions and multi-cultural ethnicities. Other challenges include global challenges relating to legislations and laws, laws and privacy and safety, maturity point and the endorsement of the smart technological systems.