The Dubai RTA has announced the completion of 75 projects as part of the Smart City and Artificial Intelligence Programme.
According to the organisation, the projects completed are related to the smart organisation, infrastructure, smart vehicles, data management, artificial intelligence and smart and sustainable transport.
“RTA supports the transformation of Dubai into a smart city to provide happiness and luxurious living to residents through offering world-class standard services. Given the importance of smart mobility to the concept of smart cities, RTA has prioritised the convenience and welfare of people when planning and constructing its projects. It also focused on utilising smart technologies in delivering services to clients,” said Mattar Al Tayer, director general and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, RTA.
The Dubai RTA has accomplished a host of smart projects and initiatives such as Raqeeb system, which monitors the condition of 300 bus drivers. The system contributed to reducing fatigue-related accidents by 65 percent. The daily rate of exhaustion or lack of attentiveness cases detected by the system ranged from 5 to 8 cases. The government firm has introduced the system to two of Dubai Trams on a trial base.
It also completed the installation of surveillance cameras in more than 10,000 taxis in Dubai. The cameras contributed to pushing customers satisfaction rating to as much as 83 percent.
“Projects completed include Al Merqab system; which streamlines and monitors the limousine and e-Hail companies. The system offers a solution to the key challenges encountered relating to the streamlining and governance of e-Hail companies. More than 5200 devices have been installed in limos with 114 operators, and all e-Hail companies (Uber and Careem) have been linked to the system. Al Merqab monitors about six million journeys,” said Al Tayer.
Furthermore, the transport authority also highlighted the completion of Phase III of the Automated System for Monitoring Dedicated Bus Lanes, which has reduced the number of vehicles violating the bus lane by 83 percent and improved bus on-time arrival by 20 percent. The project includes the smart pedestrian signalling system at 15 locations. It also includes the smart parking booking system enabling the client to book parking before arrival to the intended destination.
It has also introduced the field inspection of trucks unit, a smart vehicle fitted with smart solutions to support the monitoring and inspection of heavy vehicles. The process involves a mobile monitoring centre to target hotspots witnessing frequent offences and the provision of vehicles inspection robot.
The Dubai RTA has also completed a new phase in the deployment of a new wave of advanced technologies at the Enterprise Command and Control Centre (EC3). They are marked by new functions in monitoring multi-modal transit systems in the Emirate, management of incidents and crises, besides the management of events related to roads, transportation and traffic.
In 2018, the Centre monitored more than 170 events across the Emirate to ensure the smooth mobility during events along with the response time to emergency casess related to mobility. Through the adoption of artificial intelligence, the Centre processes big data amounting to 75 million mobility data-entry per day. These technologies enable the firm to plan smart mobility, improve transport efficiency and enhance customers experience.
Last year, the Dubai RTA introduced the smart heat maps programme for taxis; which shows taxi drivers high-demand spots for the taxi services. The programme is being updated instantly through data collected and analysed by artificial intelligence techniques at the EC3. The programme has improved the taxi arrival time by 9 percent and increased the rate of bookings made by 17 percent.
In the second half of 2018, Dubai RTA launched Mahboub; one of the biggest automated conversation systems in the region in terms of services delivered which amounted to 89 services. The system employs artificial intelligence technologies in conversation with customers in both Arabic and English languages.
RTA also introduced the Customers Happiness Index powered by artificial intelligence technology. It is the first Happiness Index assisted by artificial intelligence in the world. Through an associated dashboard, the system provides decision-makers with instant information about the level of happiness in service centres. About 35 thousand customers used this index last year.
Last December, the firm also completed the Digital nol project as part of the approved Digital nol Strategy 2018-2022. It offers a range of payment options through smartphones, family tickets, AI services, gold tickets on demand and booking of tickets.
Users of nol Plus Loyalty Programme have earned 2.2 million points. nol Digital transactions completed through NFC technology amounted to 560 thousand transactions. RTA has enabled the use of nol Digital technology through QR Codes in 14 outlets of marine transport service.
“We carried out seven studies and trial models to boost the leading role of RTA in the field of innovation. Projects commissioned included the experimental launch of the 2-seater autonomous air vehicles, field inspection of trucks, smart scanning of parking, and analysis of drivers conduct,” said Al Tayer.
