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HE Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced the completion of 75 projects as part of the Smart City and Artificial Intelligence Programme. Projects completed relate 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 Al Tayer.
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%. The daily rate of exhaustion or lack of attentiveness cases detected by the system ranged from 5 to 8 cases. RTA has introduced the system to two of Dubai Trams on a trial base.
RTA has 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%.
“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,” explained Al Tayer.
Phase III
RTA has completed Phase III of the Automated System for Monitoring Dedicated Bus Lanes, which has reduced the number of vehicles violating the bus lane by 83% and improved bus on-time arrival by 20%. Projects include the smart pedestrian signalling system at 15 locations. Through smart sensors, the system increases or abolishes the time allocated to pedestrians, based on the people movement detected by the system. Projects include 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. It is 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.
“RTA has also accomplished the smart yard for testing trainee drivers in 14 locations. Drivers testing vehicles have been transformed into smart vehicles capable of detecting the testing manoeuvres and measuring the driver’s response to each of them. The yard is fitted with high-power cameras and sensors connected to a central processor capable of gathering information and working out errors automatically. The system automatically figures out if the test result is Fail or Pass,” said Al Tayer.
Unified Control
RTA has 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. It involves carrying advanced analysis of transportation network data and generating reports for the improvement of the transportation network in Dubai.
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 RTA to plan smart mobility, improve transport efficiency and enhance customers experience.
“The EC3 is one of the biggest and latest control centres worldwide in terms of applying smart technologies, ability to control, integrate and coordinate between various transit modes, and the sound planning for tackling mobility challenges in the Emirate. The smart systems of the Centre integrate with the public transit systems (metro, tram, buses, taxis and water transport) as well as traffic control centres,” explained Al Tayer.
Heat Maps
Last year, 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% and increased the rate of bookings made by 17%.
“RTA has also rolled out the integrated mobility platform rendering Dubai one of the first cities in the world to establish and develop such a platform. It enables customers to access all public transport means in Dubai through a single window branded S’hail, also activating an integrated system in partnerships with e-Hail companies (Uber and Careem). The application has received 240 thousand downloads, and the number of planned journeys has clocked 849 thousand journeys,” noted Al Tayer.
Automated Conversation
In the second half of 2018, 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. It also enables inquiries about services without speaking to a Call Centre staff in addition to a range of interactive services. In one month, the system carried out 81 thousand conversations.
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 RTA completed Digital nol as part of the approved Digital nol Strategy 2018-2022. It offers a range of payment options through smartphones, family tickets, artificial intelligence services, gold tickets on demand and booking of tickets. The use of nol card outside the scope of public transport has been recently on the rise. Uses include entry to Quranic Park, Shindagha Museum, Etihad Museum, most of Dubai Parks, and an array of commercial outlets,” commented Al Tayer.
Loyalty Points
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.
“Last year RTA 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,” concluded Al Tayer.
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