‘City Brain’ revs up Dubai bus services
DUBAI: The emphasis on high or advanced technology has been ramped up in various spheres of life these days. In other words, ‘smart services’ are gaining currency, they are the new normal. Dubai has shown that it is leading the way in this domain. Its transport services, considered among the top five in the world, are spearheading efficiency. It has even resorted to artificial intelligence to ramp up its tech savviness.
During the coronavirus times , RTA has strengthened its preventive measures to speed up recovery from the pandemic. As Matar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director-general, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), revealed, the RTA’S precautionary measures and initiatives applied to the scheduling and the operation of public buses, marine transit means and taxis had accelerated the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. He stated that such measures contributed to restoring the growth of public transport ridership to 70% of the pre-covid-19 levels. They also contributed to reducing the number of kilometres travelled by 18%, improving bus on-time arrival by 6%, and cuting carbon emissions by 34 metric tonnes.
Advanced Algorithms: “In cooperation with Alibaba Cloud, RTA has recently started trialling the ‘City Brain’ system to manage traffic in urban areas using artificial intelligence and advanced algorithms. The system analyses a massive number of big data received from nol cards, operating buses and taxis as well as the Enterprise Command and Control Centre. Then it converts the data into useful information that could be used in sending instant notifications and improving bus schedules and routes. The system is expected to improve the bus ridership by 17%, average waiting time by 10%, and the journey time and the average bus usage by 5%,” stated Al Tayer.
“In cooperation with FAMCO, RTA has recently inaugurated a remote Bus Performance Monitoring Centre Al Quoz Bus Depot, for instant tracking and monitoring the performance efficiency of RTA’S new 516 Volvo buses fited with Telematics system. The system, which enhances the operational and maintenance processes, includes 47 types of alerts covering mechanical aspects, fuel consumption per kilometre, and the condition of the safety equipment on board. It contributed to reducing fuel consumption by 5% and supported the planning for periodic and preventive maintenance of buses. It also resulted in an efficiency-driven assessment of drivers, improved the road safety standards, and improved the rating of customer happiness.”