UAE deploys extra driverless cars, taxis to ease Grand Prix weekend traffic

As many as 3,000 taxis, 82 public buses and 15 driverless cabs will be designated to ferry crowds to and from Yas Marina Circuit for the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that kicks off on Thursday.

Making the announcement, the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) said the autonomous fleet will also include the already operational 30 vehicles. These will operate on designated routes across Yas Island, transporting spectators between key points near the race circuit from 3:00 to 10:00 pm.

The existing fleet will continue to offer services between Yas Island, Al Saadiyat Island, Zayed International Airport, Al Reem Island and Al Maryah Island, within designated service areas, through the TXAI and Uber smart apps.

Two taxi pick-up and drop-off areas have been designated within the race zone and surrounding event areas, along with additional locations near hotels and firework displays, to ensure visitors reach the destination with ease. The service will cover both regular taxis and ride-hailing services (such as Uber and Careem).

The Yas circular bus service will be from Yas Mall (at the Tryano Gate) and Warner Bros. car parks to the race circuit gates, the authority added. 

Additionally, “Road Service Patrol” teams and tow trucks will be deployed to support drivers.

The authority said it will also use AI-powered drones to monitor traffic, record traffic violations in real-time and monitor availability of taxi parking spots.

Teams from the ITC will be on ground, along with officers from the Abu Dhabi Police and Formula One management group, to monitor traffic flow.