Skip to main content

Abu Dhabi installs Scoot

The Department of Transport (DoT) in Abu Dhabi has commenced work on a US$9 million adaptive traffic control central system project, which is expected to be completed by early 2015. The project will see the implementation of a new Scoot (Split Cycle Offset Optimisation Technique) adaptive traffic control system to improve traffic flow at the capital’s 125 main signalised junctions. Scoot, installed in more than 120 cities worldwide, is a tool for managing and controlling traffic signals in urban areas.
March 5, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
The Department of Transport (DoT) in Abu Dhabi has commenced work on a US$9 million adaptive traffic control central system project, which is expected to be completed by early 2015.

The project will see the implementation of a new Scoot (Split Cycle Offset Optimisation Technique) adaptive traffic control system to improve traffic flow at the capital’s 125 main signalised junctions.  Scoot, installed in more than 120 cities worldwide, is a tool for managing and controlling traffic signals in urban areas. It is an adaptive system that responds automatically to fluctuations in traffic flow through the use of in-road detectors.

Traffic signals in Abu Dhabi currently operate on fixed time, which is not ideal for easily managing traffic congestion or other unexpected events. Scoot is able to respond quickly to variations in traffic flows by reducing delays and queue lengths at junctions, using about 20 sensors at each intersection to monitor and report the volume of traffic. The system is also able to give priority to buses or emergency vehicles, which will enhance road safety and quick response to accidents and vehicle breakdowns.

“It is simply to have the most adaptive technology to manage the traffic network in the proper way,” said Salah Al Marzouqi, director of the integrated intelligent transport systems

The centre manages monitoring of the traffic flows on the road network, operation of the central traffic control system, and offers road service support patrols to prevent any congestion.

Related Content

  • New approach to data handling aids development of smarter cities
    January 14, 2013
    David Crawford has been to the Irish capital to see a potent memorandum of understanding at work. An imaginative collaboration between the world’s largest IT company and one of Europe’s smaller capital cities is demonstrating a new approach to data handling that could have far reaching implications for urban public transport worldwide. A close working relationship between IBM and Dublin City Council (DCC) dates from 2010.
  • New approach to data handling aids development of smarter cities
    January 11, 2013
    David Crawford has been to the Irish capital to see a potent memorandum of understanding at work. An imaginative collaboration between the world’s largest IT company and one of Europe’s smaller capital cities is demonstrating a new approach to data handling that could have far reaching implications for urban public transport worldwide. A close working relationship between IBM and Dublin City Council (DCC) dates from 2010. The IT giant was looking for a local transport authority as partner for testing IBM’s
  • New approach to data handling aids development of smarter cities
    January 11, 2013
    David Crawford has been to the Irish capital to see a potent memorandum of understanding at work. An imaginative collaboration between the world’s largest IT company and one of Europe’s smaller capital cities is demonstrating a new approach to data handling that could have far reaching implications for urban public transport worldwide. A close working relationship between IBM and Dublin City Council (DCC) dates from 2010. The IT giant was looking for a local transport authority as partner for testing IBM’s
  • Communications hold key to expanding ITS wireless network expansion
    December 21, 2017
    Wireless transmission of data and control information is making smarter traffic management easier and cheaper to install. It has long been known that connectivity is the key to improving traffic management and many cost-benefit studies prove that investment in new technology can be justified in terms of reduced congestion, shorter travel times, improved safety and air quality. However, many authorities’ cap-ex budgets only cover urgent matters, not improvements, making it difficult, if not impossible to