Smart traffic systems to cover all Dubai main roads

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched Phase II of its Intelligent Traffic Systems (ITC) project to cover 100 per cent of the emirate's main roads using smart technologies and software.

This expansion will enhance road network management and traffic flow through better monitoring and faster response times to incidents.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at the RTA, said that the second phase of the project will expand the coverage of the main road network from the current 60 per cent to 100 per cent by 2026.

Accordingly, the length of the road network covered by the system will extend from 480 km to 710 km.

Al Tayer added that the project has improved incident monitoring by 63 per cent, reduced response times by 30 per cent, enhanced traffic flow, increased traffic management efficiency, and reduced journey times by 20 per cent through Variable Message Signs (VMS).

The project's initial phase included the addition of 116 traffic surveillance cameras (bringing the total to 311 cameras), the installation of 100 incident monitoring and vehicle counting devices (taking the total to 227 devices), installing 112 Variable Message Signs (VMS) that relay real time information about road conditions, fitting 115 travel time and speed measurement devices, setting up 17 weather sensor stations, and constructing 660 km of electric power lines and a fibre optic network with a total length of 820 km.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at RTA: Phase II of the Intelligent Traffic Systems project will expand the coverage of the main road network from the current 60% to 100% by 2026. Accordingly, the length of the road network covered… pic.twitter.com/NGlSqGjzQT

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) June 23, 2024

AI Technologies

The RTA manages traffic in the emirate through the Dubai Intelligent Traffic Systems Centre in Al Barsha, one of the largest and most sophisticated traffic control centres globally.

The facility employs innovative technologies and traffic management systems to meet Dubai's expansion and make it one of the world's leading cities in ITS, alongside Singapore and Seoul.

The Dubai ITS Centre has an integrated technology platform which utilises artificial intelligence, big data, the Internet of Things, advanced communication systems and various monitoring devices to provide smart services and gather important information.

The centre oversees Dubai's road networks and maintains a 100 per cent connection to the traffic lights control system.

It also features an advanced traffic control system called "iTraffic," enhanced by AI technologies and big data analysis tools to support decision-making.

The centre's responsibilities include ensuring the smooth flow of traffic, managing incidents and emergencies, monitoring operational systems, and reporting malfunctions.