Dubai to close some E611 lanes, Al Maktoum airport tunnel amid autonomous taxi testing

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced temporary road and tunnel closures to facilitate autonomous taxi testing near Al Maktoum International Airport.

The closures will affect three lanes of Emirates Road (E611), opposite Al Maktoum International Airport, as well as the entire Al Maktoum International Airport Tunnel in both directions.

The restrictions will remain in place from October 26 to 31, between 9am and 4pm, according to the RTA’s announcement on Sunday, October 25.

Which Roads Will Be Closed in Dubai?

The planned closures will affect the following routes:

Emirates Road (E611): Three lanes opposite Al Maktoum International Airport will be closed during testing operations.

Al Maktoum International Airport Tunnel: The entire tunnel will be closed in both directions.

The temporary restrictions are intended to support testing operations involving autonomous taxi technology.

RTA Advises Motorists to Plan Their Journeys

The RTA has urged motorists to plan their journeys in advance and follow directional signs while travelling through the affected areas.

Drivers should allow additional time for their journeys and follow the designated traffic diversions to minimise disruption during the closure period.

Motorists travelling near Al Maktoum International Airport are advised to remain alert to traffic updates and plan alternative routes where necessary.

UAE Plans to Expand Autonomous Transport by 2027

The road closures come as the UAE prepares to expand its driverless transport network.

Earlier this month, a senior UAE official said the country expected to have more than 10,000 autonomous taxis and delivery vans operating by 2027. Orders for the vehicles have already been placed as the country prepares to scale up its autonomous mobility services.

The expansion reflects the UAE’s broader efforts to introduce advanced transport technologies and increase the use of driverless vehicles.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi Expand Driverless Taxi Services

Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi have already introduced commercial autonomous taxi operations.

In Dubai, commercial autonomous taxi services have been launched in areas including Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah. The latest testing operations form part of the emirate’s continued efforts to develop driverless mobility.

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi expanded Level 4 autonomous taxi services on Yas Island earlier this year.

According to Abu Dhabi Mobility, Abu Dhabi previously became the first city in the Middle East and North Africa to begin commercial operations of fully driverless Level 4 vehicles.

Autonomous Vehicles Take a Bigger Role in UAE Transport

The planned road closures highlight the infrastructure testing required as the UAE expands autonomous mobility.

With Dubai and Abu Dhabi developing driverless taxi services and the country targeting more than 10,000 autonomous taxis and delivery vans by 2027, testing operations are expected to play an important role in supporting the wider adoption of autonomous transport technologies.