Dubai, which has set its sights on becoming one of the smartest cities in the world, is leveraging digital innovation to create seamless, safe, and efficient city experiences.

As part of the city’s efforts to realize its vision, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced significant progress with its Intelligent Traffic Systems (ITS) technology, reporting a reduction in travel times by up to 20% across the covered areas.

Currently operational on 60% of the emirate’s 710 km road network, the ITS utilizes a network of 311 surveillance cameras, 227 traffic monitoring devices, and 112 Variable Message Signs (VMS) to provide real-time traffic updates. The system also benefits from over 660 km of power lines and a robust 820 km fiber optic network for seamless data transmission.

“The project has improved incident monitoring by 63%, reduced response times by 30%, enhanced traffic flow, increased traffic management efficiency, and reduced journey times by 20% through VMS,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the RTA, who attributes this advancement to the integration with the Enterprise Command and Control Centre and Dubai Police.

The RTA manages the ITS from its dedicated center in Al Barsha, which leverages cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, big data, the Internet of Things, and advanced communication systems. This central hub also houses the “iTraffic” system, an AI-powered traffic control platform that utilizes data analysis for informed decision-making.

The Phase II study for the ITS project is also approved. 

This expansion aims to cover 40% of the road network and incorporate the latest intelligent technologies, including Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems.