Smart Traffic System to be operational in Dubai from October 2006

This system will help manage traffic by quick detection of accidents, vehicle breakdown and other incidents that lead to traffic disruption, and ensure fast response from police and emergency services to restore normal traffic flow.

The installation process includes the designing of the project and setting up of equipments like surveillance cameras, sensors and electronic signboards. The system will be the first-of-its-kind in the GCC, and will be a major landmark for the RTA, in keeping up with its vision of safe and smooth transport for all.

The project includes the installation of 30 surveillance cameras and 70 sensors to look out for incidents such as vehicle breakdown, accidents and traffic congestion. While the cameras will detect breakdowns and accidents, the sensors will detect changes in the traffic flow. Traffic controllers at the control centre will pan the surveillance cameras frequently to closely monitor the roads. Live images captured by the camera are then sent to the Traffic Control Center which in turn sends it to 45 electronic signboards throughout the emirate. Moreover, updates will also be sent to RTA's website, to Dalili-the navigation system introduced by the RTA recently and to traffic information displays put up at major malls.

The Smart Traffic System will be installed on Sheikh Zayed road, Al Rasheed road, Umm Hurair road, Al Ittihad road, Al Khaleej road, Al Minar road, Airport road, Abu Baker Al Siddique road, Baniyas road, Al Maktoum bridge, Al Garhoud bridge and Shindaga Tunnel.

Hashim Al Hashimi, Director of Traffic Control Department, RTA, said,

' Under the guidance of H.E Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of RTA, we constantly research and develop ways of controlling the escalating traffic situation. This will be one of our major achievements in our efforts towards providing latest and innovative solutions to ease the traffic congestion. This system will identify the cause for traffic disruption and inform motorists of the traffic congestion on a particular road, so that they drive cautiously as they approach the disrupted area or choose another route.'

'To ensure that emergency vehicles like ambulances reach accident sites in the least possible time, the Smart Traffic System will detect the presence of such vehicles and inform the center that controls traffic signals, which will time the automatic signals in a way that will give priority to emergency vehicles. The control center for this system is being developed with the finest technology and will be upgraded regularly. We will seek the cooperation of Dubai Police to help us manage accidents more efficiently with this system,' he added.

Based on studies conducted on the traffic conditions over the past five years, the introduction of the Smart Traffic System will initially reduce traffic congestion by more than 15 per cent. In countries where the system has already been successfully implemented it has helped reduce traffic jams by up to 30 per cent. Moreover, up to 1.5 million hours of driving time is expected to be reduced on an average with the use of this system, which will also help decrease environmental pollution.