Elon Musk's Dubai Loop May Ease Traffic but Must Avoid Las Vegas Project Issues

Photo : Reuters

A new underground transport system proposed by billionaire Elon Musk could help solve Dubai’s traffic problems, but experts say it needs to avoid the issues seen in a similar project in Las Vegas.

The Dubai Loop, a joint project with Musk’s The Boring Company (TBC), was announced at the World Governments Summit and is one of the latest big ideas to improve transportation in the UAE. The plan was revealed shortly after the announcement of a high-speed railway connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

According to reports, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and TBC have shared plans for an underground tunnel system that will cover 17km, include 11 stations, and have the capacity to transport 20,000 passengers per hour.

How Will Dubai Loop Work?
The project is similar to the Las Vegas Convention Center Loop, which currently has five stations but aims to expand to over 100 stations. The system in Las Vegas uses Tesla electric cars that transport passengers through tunnels, and the same approach is expected for Dubai.

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Speaking about the new system, Omar Al Olama, Minister of State for AI, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, said the Dubai Loop would cover the busiest areas in the city and make travel smooth and easy. Although exact details have not been shared, he mentioned that passengers will travel in “pods.”

Experts Highlight the Challenges
While many see Dubai Loop as an exciting idea, Thomas Edelmann, founder and managing director of Road Safety UAE, said it must be well planned to truly help reduce traffic and improve road safety.

He explained that self-driving electric cars could make roads safer, but authorities need to consider several key questions. For example, how will the system handle emergencies like car breakdowns or fires in the tunnel? And will it really reduce congestion on Dubai’s busy roads?

He also believes the Dubai government will study public interest before moving forward. They will likely assess safety concerns, the most useful locations for stations, and how much people are willing to pay for the service.

“Authorities in Dubai are always improving roads and transport. They build new highways, improve public transport, and test creative ideas like the Super Block project, which makes some areas car-free for pedestrians,” said Edelmann.

Is Dubai Loop the Best Option?
Prof Marcus Enoch, an expert in transport strategy at Loughborough University, pointed out that similar pod-based transport systems exist in other places. One example is the Morgantown Personal Rapid Transit in West Virginia, which has small, computer-controlled vehicles that run on rubber wheels. However, this system is above ground, unlike the underground Dubai Loop.

Prof Enoch also said building underground tunnels is much more expensive than above-ground systems. One of the reasons the Dubai Metro is mostly built above ground is to reduce costs.

He explained that digging tunnels in Dubai could be complicated due to existing buildings, deep foundations, and underground utilities like gas and water pipes. In cities like London, underground construction is very difficult because of old tunnels and pipes, forcing engineers to dig very deep to avoid them.

Would a Metro System Be Better?
Some experts believe that a traditional metro system might be a better option than an underground network for Tesla cars.

Peter Schwinger, a transport consultant, compared the Dubai Metro to the Las Vegas Loop. The Dubai Metro can carry up to 25,000 passengers per hour in each direction, while the Las Vegas Loop carries only about 2,250 passengers per hour. He said this is because the Las Vegas Loop operates like a taxi stand, with cars picking up and dropping off passengers one by one.

“The Loop in Las Vegas is basically just a group of Teslas running through metro-style tunnels,” Schwinger explained. “If the tunnels and stations are similar to those of an underground metro, why not just build a metro instead?”

He also pointed out that The Boring Company has not shared details about how they can build tunnels more cheaply than usual. This is important information that Dubai authorities will need before making a final decision.

Is Underground the Right Choice?
Apostolos Kyriazis, a researcher in architecture and urban planning at Abu Dhabi University, said the main reason for an underground system is to avoid surface traffic. However, instead of creating a whole new system, he believes Dubai should review its overall transport strategy to improve roads, encourage walking and cycling, and connect different areas more efficiently.

“A good public transport system allows people to walk, bike, or drive short distances within a city,” he said.