The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai has initiated two initiatives that will employ artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce bus wait times and increase overall efficiency while also lowering emissions.
The RTA has partnered with Alibaba Cloud to launch the ‘City Brain’ technology for traffic management in urban areas. To enhance bus timetables and routes, it analyzes data received from operational buses and cabs, as well as the Enterprise Command and Control Centre. The authorities plan to increase bus ridership by 17% while decreasing average waiting time by 10%.
AI Enables Dubai Residents to Cut Down Bus Waiting Time, Carbon Emissions
The remote Bus Performance Monitoring Centre at Al Quoz Bus Depot is likewise used to track and monitor the performance efficiency of 516 Volvo buses that are fitted with the ‘Telematics’ system.
This system includes 47 types of alerts covering mechanical aspects, fuel consumption per kilometre, and the condition of the safety equipment.
The launch came as public transport ridership is returning back to pre-COVID-19 levels.
According to Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, RTA’s director-general and chairman of the board of executive directors, public transportation ridership has returned to “about 70% of pre-Covid-19 levels.”
He also stated that the recent actions had reduced the number of kilometers traveled by 18%, improved bus on-time arrival by 6%, and reduced carbon emissions by 34 metric tonnes.
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