Roads & Transport Authority - News Details

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) organised the 6th Legal Forum titled “RTA Legislation and Its Role in the Investment and Infrastructure Environment.” The forum examined how RTA’s legislative framework has contributed to strengthening investment activity, creating mature economic incentives that support investors, and providing a stable foundation for commercial operations related to transport, mobility, and roads in the emirate. It also reviewed the role of this legislation in enhancing Dubai’s transport and road infrastructure. This edition marks the 6th Legal Forum organised by the Legal Affairs Department.

 

Shehab Hamad Bu Shehab, Executive Director of Legal Affairs Department, opened the forum with remarks highlighting that the legislation established by RTA over the past twenty years has served as an integrated strategic instrument that directly supported the development of the transport network, advanced RTA’s objectives, and fulfilled the purposes for which it was founded. He noted: “This legislation has provided clear legal frameworks for the design, regulation, and construction of roads, and has ensured robust safety and quality standards, thereby creating an integrated infrastructure system capable of supporting economic growth.”

 

He added: “The legislation governing smart mobility and modern transport technologies has enhanced operational efficiency across the transport sector and improved customer experience. It has also established clear frameworks for revenue generation and financial sustainability, while introducing investment incentives that have played a positive role in attracting the private sector and encouraging investors. This legislation has likewise formed the foundation for the commercial transformation of the services provided by RTA.”

 

The forum outlined the role of transport legislation in environmental sustainability, discussing how this legislation supports eco-friendly mobility solutions and promotes mechanisms that encourage green transport, reduce emissions, minimise environmental impact, and ensure the long-term sustainability of mobility. This includes modern mobility modes such as autonomous vehicles and aerial transport. RTA has developed comprehensive legislative systems governing the use of smart applications in transport services, ensuring that these services are delivered within a well-regulated legal framework and positioning RTA as a global leader in this field.

 

Participants discussed the role of legislation in developing infrastructure by strengthening financial sustainability, regulating and ensuring the integration and quality of the road network, and improving associated services. They also highlighted the contribution of this legislation to preserving the aesthetic character of the emirate, which has significantly supported the introduction of traffic solutions that increase the capacity of the road network.

 

The forum also reviewed the investment incentives embedded within road and transport legislation, including procedural facilitations, regulatory guarantees, and financial privileges, in addition to the digital initiatives launched by RTA to support investors. It highlighted the alignment of these incentives with international best practices and reviewed the potential challenges that investors may encounter in this sector, with the aim of further strengthening the investment environment across the transport and roads sector.

The forum addressed the impact of the commercial transformation legislation governing RTA’s services. It highlighted that four companies had been established within this framework to enhance the efficiency of RTA’s service delivery, increase financial resources, and stimulate economic activity, in line with the vision of the UAE leadership. The outcomes were described as highly successful, with the financial value of RTA’s subsidiary companies increasing several-fold and the emirate gaining a strong international reputation as a result of these transformations.