Dubai Transport and Infrastructure Master Plan Sets Out Changes for Residents

The Roads and Transport Authority unveiled its Transport and Infrastructure Master Plan in January 2026. The document outlines measures for mobility and urban growth that apply to residents who commute across Dubai and neighbouring emirates.

Projects Under Consideration

The UAE Infrastructure and Housing Council is reviewing a Dh6 billion federal highway project known as the Fourth Federal Highway. It is also examining a 10-route mass transit network intended to link Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman. These proposals sit alongside the 2024-2027 Main Roads Development Plan, which allocates AED16bn to 22 road projects that include trackless trams and dedicated bus and taxi lanes.

RTA is carrying out the Zero-Emissions Public Transportation in Dubai Strategy 2050. The strategy sets a target for all buses, taxis and school buses to reach zero emissions by 2050. The Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy aims for 25 percent of total transport to be autonomous by 2030, and RTA has partnered with Cruise to begin the city’s first commercial robotaxi service in Jumeirah.

Daily Effects for Residents

Residents who travel between Dubai and Sharjah or Ajman may see new transit options if the 10-route network proceeds. Those using public buses or taxis could experience changes as the zero-emission fleet expands over the coming decades. People living or working in Jumeirah may encounter the first robotaxi operations once the service begins.

The 22 projects in the Main Roads Development Plan are expected to add lanes and tram routes that connect existing neighbourhoods. The government says these steps will guide future mobility, though specific completion dates for individual projects are not stated in the current documents.

Further steps will depend on decisions by the UAE Infrastructure and Housing Council and continued implementation by RTA. Residents can follow updates through official RTA channels as reviews continue.