Dubai residents now spend an average of just 13.7 minutes to travel 10 kilometres—making city commutes faster than in Sydney, Montreal, Berlin, Rome, and Milan, according to the TomTom Traffic Index 2024.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on Sunday that Dubai’s Travel Time Index (TTI), which measures congestion, stood at 1.23—better than the global average of 1.3. The RTA noted that this marks a steady improvement over the past decade, with the TTI dropping from 1.28 in 2014 to 1.23 in 2024.
A separate McKinsey & Company study commissioned by the RTA credited Dubai’s success to sustained investment in intelligent traffic systems, modern road design, and safety infrastructure. The report highlighted that the city’s traffic fatality rate plunged from 21.9 deaths per 100,000 people in 2006 to just 1.8 in 2024—one of the steepest declines recorded globally.
The improvements have also contributed to longer life expectancy among residents, reduced air pollution, and the promotion of healthier lifestyles through walking, cycling, and efficient public transport options.
“Every minute saved, every accident prevented, and every tonne of emissions reduced has enhanced people’s quality of life,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA. “Dubai today stands as one of the most comfortable and liveable cities in the world.”
The RTA confirmed that upcoming projects include trackless trams, suspended transport systems, and a new network of high-frequency buses under the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. The authority is also developing the ‘Dubai Walk’ initiative to make the city pedestrian-friendly year-round, alongside major road upgrades along Umm Suqeim, Al Wasl, Jumeirah, and Sheikh Zayed Road.
