Expect trackless trams across eight locations, using virtual lanes and smart sensors to boost city connectivity.

Dubai has built its global reputation on bold ideas and even bolder delivery. Now, the city is looking to add another futuristic chapter to its transport story with a trackless tram concept that could redefine how residents and visitors move around the emirate.

According to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the trackless tram project is currently under study, with plans exploring deployment across eight locations in Dubai.

Unlike conventional tram systems that require rails and heavy construction, this next-generation model runs on virtual tracks. Cameras detect painted road markings, while a mix of optical navigation, GPS and LiDAR technology helps guide the vehicle along its route. The big difference is in the intelligence behind the movement: the system is designed to be autonomous, with AI enabling real-time responses to obstacles and shifting road conditions.

In terms of capacity, each tram is expected to feature three carriages and carry up to 300 passengers. Performance targets include a top speed of 70km/h, with operating speeds between 25 and 60km/h, plus an electric range of up to 100km on a single charge. In short, it’s positioned as a high-capacity, low-infrastructure solution that can be delivered faster and at a lower cost than traditional tram lines.

The trackless tram study arrives alongside wider public transport enhancements. The RTA has also outlined plans to expand dedicated bus and taxi lanes across 2025 and 2026, adding six new corridors totalling 13km, with the aim of reducing bus journey times by 41 per cent and improving on-time performance by 42 per cent.

For now, exact routes of the trackless tram network in Dubai and rollout timing remain under wraps, but Dubai’s direction of travel is clear: smarter, greener mobility that keeps pace with the city’s rapid growth.

GO: Visit www.rta.ae for more information.