The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has unleashed the initial phase of the Smart Parking Project covering controlled parking at Al-Rigga and the World Trade Center areas on the Sheikh Zayed Road. The project is undertaken as part of RTA’s efforts to provide smart services to residents and visitors of Dubai in implementation of the directives of Dubai Government and the Smart City initiative at the highest techniques and standards of the industry. The project aims to offer a new service whereby information is provided about the number of vacant parking slots in public car parks using RTA app. The information will also be displayed in Arabic & English on e-signs on streets; which contributes to realizing RTA’s third Strategic Goal (People Happiness). 

Mohammad Al Shareef, Director of Intelligent Traffic Systems at RTA’s Traffic & Roads Agency: “The RTA has completed the link of the central system with the basic components of the project (e-signs, ground and overhead sensors) in public parking in Dubai as well as multi-level parking terminals and Dubai Mall car parking. Thus, motorists can use RTA app to identify vacant parking slots in a smooth and smart manner. 

“Phase I of the link has been completed according to the planned timeline. The RTA has fully completed the project works at Al Rigga following the installation of about 2000 ground sensors. Work progress has reached 84% in the area of the World Trade Center on the Sheikh Zayed Road involving the installation of 59 overhead cameras followed by the installation of electronic smart directional signs. The project is set for full completion by the end of April 2017,” stated Al Shareef.

“The project is tailored to the needs of road users in view of the growing requirement of the public for using effective technological devices in dealing with the parking service. The project is aligned with RTA’s vision of Safe & Smooth Transport for All as well as its first & third strategic goals: Smart Dubai and People Happiness respectively. The project assists in providing information about the status of the parking slots to motorists before driving to those areas. It directs them to the exact vacant parking slots, thus eliminates the traffic congestion resulting from the search for a parking slot,” he added.