Author Information

Jaclyn WelchFollow

Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?

Undergraduate

individual

Authors' Class Standing

Jaclyn Welch, Sophomore

Lead Presenter's Name

Jaclyn Welch

Faculty Mentor Name

Dr. Emad Hamdeh

Abstract

The advancement of Dubai’s transportation system over the last two decades is regarded as being at the forefront of technological advancements, focusing mainly on the driver-less train system, efficient traffic flow, strict, safety-focused taxi regulations and promises of drone taxis. Such swift developments provide an opportunity for research into how these developments were made possible and how accessible and user friendly this system is for tourists. Answering this question could provide a blueprint for developing cities focusing on tourism to maximize efficiency when planning their transportation systems “from scratch” in the same manner as Dubai.

This research utilized field observations, informal interviews, and artifact collection to gather data. Triangulation of the data lead to the findings that the meticulous engineering of the roadways, exploitative working conditions of emigrants, constant construction, and prioritization of tourism are the main factors that have given Dubai’s transportation system its cutting edge in the last two decades. While these rapid developments mark a new era of technological advancement on a grand infrastructural scale and can serve as a model for up and coming cities, the manipulation of poor migrant workers is an injustice which cannot be dismissed in the name of progress.

Did this research project receive funding support from the Office of Undergraduate Research.

No

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The Rapid Advancement of Dubai's Transportation System in the 21st Century

The advancement of Dubai’s transportation system over the last two decades is regarded as being at the forefront of technological advancements, focusing mainly on the driver-less train system, efficient traffic flow, strict, safety-focused taxi regulations and promises of drone taxis. Such swift developments provide an opportunity for research into how these developments were made possible and how accessible and user friendly this system is for tourists. Answering this question could provide a blueprint for developing cities focusing on tourism to maximize efficiency when planning their transportation systems “from scratch” in the same manner as Dubai.

This research utilized field observations, informal interviews, and artifact collection to gather data. Triangulation of the data lead to the findings that the meticulous engineering of the roadways, exploitative working conditions of emigrants, constant construction, and prioritization of tourism are the main factors that have given Dubai’s transportation system its cutting edge in the last two decades. While these rapid developments mark a new era of technological advancement on a grand infrastructural scale and can serve as a model for up and coming cities, the manipulation of poor migrant workers is an injustice which cannot be dismissed in the name of progress.

 

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