Welcome to the third article in our series ‘Exploring CulturalRoad’s Demo Sites’, where we delve into our demonstration site in Eilat, the southernmost point of Israel. This unique location, nestled between desert and sea, serves as a testbed for innovative approaches to integrating transport infrastructure with community needs, embodying the CulturalRoad vision.
Eilat: a unique location between desert and sea
Located in the southernmost part of Israel, Eilat represents the most unique Israeli landscape between desert and sea. The region experiences an arid desert climate with temperatures often surpassing 40°C in summer and 21°C in the winter. The Red Sea’s mild year-round temperatures (20–28°C) sustain one of the world’s northernmost coral reefs, home to very diverse marine life. With an average of 360 sunny days a year, Eilat is a hotspot for outbound and domestic tourism. In addition to the tourism industry, desert agriculture is also being developed in the arid regions, with a primary focus on date crops.
Eilat offers a highly multicultural culinary scene, encompassing Eastern, Western, and Mediterranean cuisines. Restaurants offer a diverse array of dishes catering to diverse tastes, including hummus, Ethiopian, Yemeni, Romanian, French, Italian, and many other various options.
Eilat’s transport network includes road systems for private vehicles, buses, and taxis. As public transport (buses) is regulated by Israeli law, operations are prohibited during Shabbat from Friday evening until Saturday evening. Cooperative apps such as Waze are also widespread in Isreal and newer vehicles are equipped with smart systems connected to the environment and infrastructure, including active prevention system and warning systems for enhanced safety.
Tailoring the infrastructure to the public needs
Transportation infrastructure planning in Eilat currently relies solely on transportation data, such as the volume of vehicles using the proposed roadways, without the involvement of the public. This leads to challenges in addressing the needs of local communities. Within CulturalRoad, the overarching objective of the Eilat demonstration is to tailor the infrastructure to better serve the population needs.
Two demonstrations will take place around Eilat: one connected to land transportation and the other to marine transportation. They aim to reduce traffic congestions and provide efficient and safer alternatives that incorporate up-to-date technology and are affordable for all cultures and people.
“Safety, user satisfaction, and meeting user needs are the most significant outcomes we aim to achieve.” Assaf Admon, Director of Eilat-Eilot Environmental Unit
The land demonstration site is centred on Road 90, one of the main roads leading to Eilat and also the most dangerous road in Israel. With the airport transitioning to an international hub, tourist numbers are expected to rise in the near future, significantly increasing traffic on this already busy road.
While the current regulatory framework does not permit the operation of autonomous vehicles on existing transportation lines, a new and dedicated line specifically designated for autonomous vehicles will be prepared. The area designated for this new line spans across regions with varying jurisdictions, requiring collaboration between our partner Eilat Municipality and regional authorities to align on the requirements and ensure the successful establishment of the dedicated line.
The marine demonstration site provides a novel solution in the area by introducing a marine shuttle. Developed as part of the Eilat municipality’s master transportation plan, the marine shuttle will bridge the gap between the city’s needs and the lack of land infrastructure, operating between several points along the shore of the Gulf of Eilat. A marine survey has already been conducted to analyse the shuttle route and assess marine traffic. The Eilat Municipality has also collaborated with experts to evaluate the infrastructure of the piers at the locations where the shuttle will stop.
Eilat Municipality, in partnership with private operators, is preparing a Request for Information (RFI) for an electronic vessel that will incorporate cutting-edge technology. The vessel, designed to accommodate 50 passengers, will initially operate along a single route starting in 2026. During the peak tourism season, data will be collected to evaluate public demand and refine the service.
