The RTA has announced that works on its Smart Traffic Systems Project has reached 23% overall. Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, issued the update following a recent tour to the site of the new Traffic Control Centre in Al Barsha, Dubai.
Al Tayer was briefed about the progress of building the new control centre, which comprises four divisions; the traffic control centre, two wings for support offices and the reception lounge connecting the four divisions. The buildings structural work has been completed, with cladding and electromechanical works expected to begin soon. The RTA says the buildings overall progress stands at 26%.
The control centre will expand the coverage of the smart systems network across Dubai roads from the current 11% to 60%, and will enable the RTA to reduce the time to detect accidents and congestion on roads. It will also provide traffic information to the public about road condition via new variable messaging signs and smart apps. The RTA says this will enhance the management of traffic movement during major events such as Expo 2020.
Al Tayer said the project is in line with the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to broaden the scope of smart traffic systems in support of ranking Dubai as the smartest city worldwide.
This project is part of the deliverable of the Innovation Lab (RTA Route 2030) endorsed by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. It entails upgrading and expanding the smart traffic systems in Dubai by providing an integrated infrastructure of smart traffic systems in the Emirate and constructing a new traffic management centre at Al Barsha. Upon completion, the project will ease the management of traffic bottlenecks and accidents, enhance the safety of road users, and ease personal mobility, thanks to the use of sophisticated technologies, said Al Tayer.
He also inspected the progress of the five main areas of the project covering traffic monitoring & data capturing systems, information signs (dynamic messages), constructing the infrastructure of civil works and the electricity distribution network, advanced central traffic system and the building of the Traffic Control Centre.