Dubai Loop: High-speed underground transport system to cut travel time, ease traffic

Envisioned as a fast, efficient, and weather-resilient transport system, UAE-based urban planners and road safety experts hailed the recently announced ‘Dubai Loop’ as a bold and promising project. The underground carrier will not only revolutionise urban mobility, but also deliver a blueprint for future cities.

The proposed 17-kilometre Dubai Loop will have 11 stations and optimal capacity to transport more than 20,000 passengers per hour. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and US-based The Boring Company signed an agreement last week during the World Governments Summit to strengthen the partnership between both parties in tunnel excavation and construction.

RTA noted, “The technology used in the system offers rapid execution with lower cost than conventional tunneling methods, and minimal impact on existing infrastructure and road networks. Meanwhile, the US-based company founded by American billionaire Elon Musk promised “to transform the transportation sector by constructing safe, fast, and cost-efficient tunnels for passenger transit, utilities and freight.”

The loop system is powered by electric vehicles travelling up to 160kmph and is expected to reduce travel time and enhance urban mobility significantly.

“By shifting commuters from private vehicles to a reliable underground system, congestion on surface roads can be significantly reduced,” Dr Ahmed Al Mulla, co-founder of UAE-based urban planning and design consultancy firm Arkat, told Khaleej Times.

“The success of this project, however, heavily depends on station placement. Dubai Loop must serve high-demand areas; be easily accessible, and connect seamlessly with existing and upcoming transit networks such as Dubai Metro, Etihad Rail, and bus systems,” added Al Mulla, who is also an adjunct professor at the American University of Sharjah, and urban planner with more than 17 years of experience shaping cities in the UAE and US.

Connectivity is crucial

Al Mulla explained that Dubai Loop must connect major residential, commercial, and business hubs, including Downtown Dubai, Marina, Business Bay, Deira, etc. It should complement Dubai Metro lines and fill in gaps where the metro lacks coverage or capacity.

“The Dubai Loop should be designed as an express connector between future planned Metro lines, not a standalone transport mode. With Etihad Rail launching high-speed services connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai in 30 minutes, Loop stations should be near Etihad Rail hubs, ensuring a seamless transition between local and intercity travel,” he added.

Al Mulla underscored first and last-mile connectivity is crucial. “Public transit is essential for livable cities. If commuters cannot easily reach their final destinations, many will revert to private cars,” he underscored, adding: “At Arkat, we advocate for robust, well-integrated public transport solutions. For Dubai Loop to have a real impact on congestion, it needs to expand beyond 17km to cover more of Dubai’s urban area (which is more than 1,000 km² of developed land). It should scale up over time to create a comprehensive underground network, rather than being a niche transport mode.”

Advantages and challenges

With regards to the advantages and challenges of underground tunnels, Al Mulla was joined by Emirati road safety expert Dr Mustafa Aldah in highlighting Dubai Loop “will result in efficient land use as it will maximise space and preserve valuable surface land for parks, commercial zones, and pedestrian areas.”

It will also overcome obstacles like road barriers, highways, and existing infrastructure — which often disrupt urban connectivity. The underground transport system is also weather resilient as it will be protected from extreme heat, sandstorms, and humidity, ensuring reliable year-round operation.

Aldah, founder of MA-Traffic Consulting and former head of the traffic studies section at the Dubai Police, noted that underground areas are cooler in summer due to the absence of sun and are more stable in temperature.

“But the construction cost is often higher than a surface road. Construction in densely populated areas could also result in disruption to the buildings above, with cracks appearing in buildings, necessitating repair work,” he added.

Al Mulla added that another important consideration is geotechnical complexity. “Dubai’s high water table and diverse soil conditions present major engineering challenges, requiring advanced tunnelling techniques and careful planning,” he explained.

Like Aldah and Al Mulla, urban planner and architect Aileen E Llagas also said capital and operational costs for tunnelling technology are high. There is also a stringent requirement for regular and thorough maintenance to ensure efficiency and safety.

Al Mulla said, “Tunnelling is significantly more expensive than surface transport, and costs often escalate during construction. Dubai Loop also requires strict safety measures for fire hazards, flooding risks, ventilation, and emergency exits. The city already has underground sewage, utility, and metro tunnels, so careful navigation is required to avoid conflicts.

Affordability for users is another major concern. The Boring Company has experience with small-scale tunnel projects such as the Las Vegas Convention Center Loop, which cost $47 million or Dh172.5 million for 2.73km and three stations.

“However, there are no operational Hyperloop systems worldwide — all projects remain in experimental or prototype stages. This raises feasibility concerns for larger-scale adoption. The cost-to-benefit ratio must be clearly defined, and pricing should remain affordable for everyday users to ensure public adoption,” Al Mulla noted, underscoring, “If construction costs are high, ticket prices could be expensive, making it less inclusive. Ensuring reasonable pricing will be critical. If ticket prices are too high, ridership may be limited to tourists or premium commuters rather than becoming a mass transit solution.

“When integrated with existing public transport infrastructure, Dubai Loop will encourage modal shift, reducing car dependency, and promoting a more active public transit use,” Llagas added.

Need for a digital twin

Aldah, meanwhile, noted, “To understand more about the impact of Dubai Loop, I am sure modern digital twin city models could be used to make good estimates of the improvement possible.

“Dubai is always innovating, not afraid to dream, and coming up with out-of-the-box solutions to modern challenges, and creating opportunities from these challenges. I am very optimistic for the future of transport,” he added.

Llagas also reiterated: “Dubai Loop has a great potential to revolutionise urban mobility in a dynamic city like Dubai. If executed effectively, it could serve as a global model for future underground urban transit systems, setting new benchmarks for efficiency, sustainability, and commuter convenience.”

Andreas Hassellöf, CEO of Ombori, also said, “Dubai Loop is a bold leap toward redefining urban mobility. Tunnels alone won’t immediately eliminate congestion, but they signify a transformative shift in how cities optimise space, improve transportation reliability and enhance overall mobility.

“Dubai has consistently led the charge in adopting bold, forward-thinking solutions, and this new project reaffirms its position as a global leader in smart city innovation. Dubai Loop is a blueprint for the cities of the future.”

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