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8/6/25, 3:05 PM Abu Dhabi embraces micromobility with advanced digital planning

Ntaflos: “One of the primary challenges in incorporating soft modes of transport into Abu Dhabi’s urban layout was the lack of detailed data on short trips”.

Ntaflos underscores the key benefits of OpenPaths CUBE over traditional urban planning tools, noting its ability to transition from large-scale transport models to
localised simulations that encompass short trips and soft transport modes. The model's detail and scope have expanded from 150,000 to over a million links,
allowing for the incorporation of features like zebra crossings and bike paths into transport analysis. The platform also supports complex zoning disaggregation
using detailed, building-level data. This precision enables urban planners to test various mobility scenarios with unprecedented accuracy, leading to smarter, data-
driven decisions for sustainable short-distance travel.

Technology, Ntaflos states, is bridging the gap between data collection and on-ground infrastructure implementation. By integrating detailed infrastructure features
and highly localised data into Abu Dhabi's transport model, planners can simulate the real-world impact of changes before physical alterations are made. This
digital-first approach, guided by algorithms predicting route choices based on behaviour, ensures that new developments align with actual mobility patterns and
broader urban goals.

Excerpts of the interview with Marios Ntaflos:

How is Abu Dhabi’s current urban infrastructure adapting to the growing demand for micromobility?
Abu Dhabi is actively reshaping its urban mobility landscape to support the rise of micromobility, such as bike sharing and electric scooters. A key step has been
the development of its 3D transport model called STEAM (Strategic Transportation Evaluation and Assessment Model), which is used to simulate and evaluate
infrastructure projects and transport policies. This approach allows authorities to strategically plan and implement infrastructure that accommodates the evolving
preferences of residents, particularly for short-distance travel.

Abu Dhabi’s transport department, Abu Dhabi Mobility (ADM), is investing in developing appropriate infrastructure and new policies to promote and support
their use. As part of this investment, it has retained CitiME, a Bentley Systems channel partner offering mobility software solutions.

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