Roads & Transport Authority - About DAST

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Executive Council, the Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport (DAST), has made enormous strides towards becoming one of the most coveted awards that leverage environmental sustainability.

Launched by Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in 2008, the award succeeded in prompting individuals and community organisations to play a positive role in supporting RTA’s efforts to improve infrastructure and public transport. It also showcased the leading role of RTA in forging partnerships with stakeholders in the field of transport, safety and environment.

The award highlights the importance of sustainable transport rendering it vital among business entities. It promotes public awareness and the sense of responsibility as well as the initiative spirit. It has also encouraged the development of successful initiatives in the field of transport, safety and environment amongst the corporate sector and individuals.

DAST has motivated the spirit of innovation and launched pioneering and creative initiatives across varied mobility fields benefitting all. It has placed sustainable transport and environmental conservation amongst the key concerns of entities and the local media.

DAST has undergone phenomenal growth over a decade or more. During the first rounds, participation in the award was limited to Dubai. From the 4th edition, it covered the entire UAE. From its upcoming 12th edition, DAST will step out to cover the MENA region and winners will be crowned in 2021. Categories of DAST have more than tripled from only three categories in 2008 to 10 categories in 2018. Submissions leapfrogged from 28 nominations in the first edition to 129 nominations in 2018. Equally, the number of participants jumped from 90 participants in 2008 to as much as 600 participants in 2018.

DAST is a practical demonstration of RTA’s vision of the world leader in seamless & sustainable mobility and keeping pace with the ongoing evolution of trade, economy, tourism, real estate and other key sectors. It is also viewed as a practical manifestation of RTA’s endeavours to engage government, semi-government and private entities in boosting the integration of various transit means.