The Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) 💜✨

A new tram-like electric bus is now operating in Abu Dhabi city.The Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) vehicles run on Fridays, Saturday and Sundays, connecting Reem Mall with Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi in a 14-stop route.The vehicles, which can carry up to 240 passengers were initially launched on Yas Island in December, as part of Abu Dhabi’s Smart Mobility Project.

Abu Dhabi's Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) bus still has drivers for several reasons:
1. Safety & Supervision
While the ART system uses autonomous technology, a human driver is present to take control if needed.
Autonomous systems can struggle with unexpected road conditions, pedestrians, or erratic drivers, so a backup driver ensures passenger safety.
2. Regulatory & Legal Requirements
UAE laws still require a human operator in autonomous vehicles, especially in public transportation, until regulations fully adapt to self-driving tech.
3. Technical Limitations
The ART bus relies on AI, sensors, and GPS, but full autonomy isn't perfect yet.
Issues like weather conditions, roadworks, or GPS signal loss may require human intervention.
4. Passenger Confidence & Trust
Many passengers feel safer knowing a driver is present.
It helps build trust in autonomous technology before fully driverless operations become mainstream.
5. Testing & Gradual Transition
The ART system is still in a trial and adaptation phase.
Having drivers ensures smooth operations while data is collected to improve future fully autonomous services.