Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) and the Seoul Metropolitan Government have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on autonomous driving and urban air mobility.

The agreement seeks to promote collaboration in the public transport sector, explore development opportunities and leverage related technologies.

The MoU was signed by RTA director general Mattar Al Tayer and Oh Se-hoon, mayor of Seoul.

Under the MoU, both entities agree to cultivate a culture of collaboration aimed at enhancing performance levels, streamlining processes and improving customer service. It also calls for maintaining open lines of communication to further mutual interests that will benefit both Dubai and Seoul. The agreement includes the exchange of technical knowledge, expertise and information about the primary responsibilities and specialisations of both parties.

“The two sides share many strategic objectives and can exchange best practices in the field of planning and operating passenger transportation services, especially public transportation buses,” said Al Tayer. “There is a potential for developing sustainable and innovative mass transit, including express buses on dedicated lanes and electric buses.”

He reiterated RTA’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with the Seoul government, aiming to establish a solid foundation for joint efforts and experience sharing.

Oh Se-hoon added: “We are excited about the mutual benefits that will emerge from future mobility pilot projects. We look forward to our cooperation and sharing of expertise to the benefit of both parties. As both cities actively invest in advancing future transportation systems, we anticipate mutually benefiting from the outcomes of the pilot projects for future mobility based on today’s agreement. These projects will encompass cutting-edge innovations such as urban air mobility [UAM] and autonomous vehicles. Through the MoU, our goal is to foster robust technology transfer and facilitate extensive knowledge exchange between our respective municipalities.”

This includes an invitation for RTA to participate in October’s Seoul Smart Life Week.

The MoU sets a framework for the partnership between RTA (www.rta.ae) and the Seoul Metropolitan Government (world.seoul.go.kr), aimed at benefiting both entities and enhancing bilateral cooperation. The focus will be on public transport, specifically through field visits, joint participation in mobility events, and shared experiences to advance public transport services. This includes developments in bus rapid transit services, dedicated bus routes, shared mobility and mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) concepts.

Additionally, the agreement covers policies relating to taxi operation, management of electronic booking services, application of big data analytics in urban mobility, integration of transportation systems, network planning and design, engagement of the private sector in transportation projects, and the development of collection and payment methods.

The MoU also facilitates the exchange of ideas on sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation policies. A particular focus of this exchange is the management of electric and hydrogen bus fleets and the development of infrastructure for electric and hydrogen fuelling stations.