Hamdan bin Mohammed issues a decision to organize the operational tests of self-driving vehicles in Dubai

In an effort to establish Dubai as a leading global hub for the adoption of future solutions and applications, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, issued Resolution No. (3) The emirate's first step in defining regulatory frameworks and developing the necessary legislative structure to ensure the highest levels of efficiency, reliability and security of the intelligent mobility system that Dubai is implementing within its vision of transforming the Smart City and adopting all the necessary measures to achieve the highest levels of His blood distinct society employs the latest technology.

The aim of the decision is to achieve complete safety in the use of self-driving vehicles and to contribute to the emirate's strategy for intelligent mobility based on the use of this type of vehicle, as well as to achieve the requirements of public safety of individuals and property protection when entering intelligent navigation means of implementation and use, The operational experience of these vehicles, and take advantage of the best practices applied globally in this regard.

The decision regulates the relationship between the RTA and Dubai Establishment, which is defined as the institution or company contracted by the TRA to conduct the operational experience of the self-driving vehicle, including the plant, developer and agent, under a contract concluded between them, The terms and conditions of conducting the operational experience of the self-driving vehicle and any other requirements specified by the Authority in this regard.

The decision has granted RTA a set of competencies related to this sector, including: reviewing, auditing and adopting the technical standards and safety and security standards contained in the specifications manual issued by the facility, which should be provided in the self-driving vehicle for which the operational experience is to be conducted, And the standards and specifications adopted in this regard.

The Authority shall also be responsible for preparing and approving the safety standards necessary for conducting the operational experience of the self-driving vehicle in all its stages and levels, preparing and approving the conditions, standards and procedures for its implementation, determining the requirements to be provided by the driver of the vehicle during the implementation of the operational experience. Operation of the self-driving vehicle, and grant authorization to the facility, in accordance with the standards and procedures adopted by the Authority in this regard, and monitor the extent of the entity's commitment to the contract with it, and The conditions of the license granted to them, the issuance of certificates for the self-driving vehicle's experience of the operational experience, and the formation of joint task forces with the concerned government authorities in the Emirate to oversee operational testing operations.
According to the decision, RTA is preparing and preparing the infrastructure to conduct the operational tests of the self-driving vehicles, in accordance with the standards and specifications adopted in this regard, and cooperation and coordination with the concerned authorities in the Emirate in all that would achieve the objectives of this decision.

The decision provides that Dubai Police and Dubai Emergency Services Foundation will provide all aspects of cooperation and coordination with the Authority to enable it to implement the provisions of this decision by participating in the evaluation of the operational experience of the self-driving vehicle, and providing the necessary traffic patrols and ambulances. To determine the conditions and procedures for granting permission to the establishments to conduct the operational experience of such vehicles by virtue of a decision issued by the Director General and the Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Roads and Transport Authority in this regard.

Any individual, public or private entity is prohibited from carrying out any operational experience of the motor vehicle in the Emirate, prior to entering into a contract with the TRA for the conduct of the operational experience and obtaining authorization.

In addition to the requirements stipulated in the legislation in force for the licensing of vehicle drivers, the leader of the self-driving vehicle required to carry out the operational experience must be qualified to drive the vehicle self-driving and deal with existing systems, and be familiar with the simulation system available in the vehicle and the smart systems adopted by the Commission to deal with With this type of vehicle.

According to the decision, the companies are committed to a number of commitments, the most important of which are: the texts of the contract for the conduct of the operational experience concluded between them and the Authority and the authorization granted to them, the provision of the specifications approved by the Authority in the self-driving vehicle, and the provision of periodic reports, including the stage reached by the operational experience and the results of each stage, In accordance with the technical level of the vehicle, in addition to any other information or data specified by the Authority in this regard.

The entity is obliged to use the self-driving vehicle in the areas, tracks and schedules specified by the Authority. The entity must insure the vehicle and its driver under a comprehensive accident and civil liability insurance policy. This document shall be valid for the duration of the operational test and shall be issued by a company Licensed insurance in the Emirate, in addition to complying with all conditions and procedures issued by the RTA in Dubai with regard to the operational experience of the vehicle self-driving.

The decision states that if the corporation breaches any of its obligations, the Authority may take one or more of the measures against the infringing entity, including: issuing a written warning, suspending the operational experience temporarily, canceling the permit or canceling the contract with the facility for conducting the operational experiment .

The decision also stipulates that RTA shall not be liable to third parties for any damages that may occur as a result of conducting the operational test of the self-driving vehicle by the establishment and only the entity responsible for such damages.

The Director General and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority shall issue the necessary decisions to implement the provisions of this Resolution. Any provision in any other resolution shall be canceled to the extent that it contradicts the provisions of this Resolution.

This decision supports the implementation of the Dubai Autonomy Strategy to transform 25 per cent of Dubai's total traffic into self-driving by 2030, with an annual economic return of AED 22 billion The strategy.