Skip to main content

Abu Dhabi traffic lights get smart

In a bid to reduce congestion during peak hours, Abu Dhabi transport authorities have completed the installation of smart systems to control traffic lights at key intersections depending on the number of cars on each side. Officials said the system has been installed at 56 junctions in Abu Dhabi city and outskirts and described it as one of the world’s most advanced traffic management systems involving smart applications and ground sensors. The new system uses in-road sensors to detect the number of v
November 14, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
In a bid to reduce congestion during peak hours, Abu Dhabi transport authorities have completed the installation of smart systems to control traffic lights at key intersections depending on the number of cars on each side.

Officials said the system has been installed at 56 junctions in Abu Dhabi city and outskirts and described it as one of the world’s most advanced traffic management systems involving smart applications and ground sensors.

The new system uses in-road sensors to detect the number of vehicles at the intersection and automatically switches between lights depending on the number of cars on the sides of the intersection.

Transport department roads director Faisal Al Suweidi said “This is a very advanced traffic management system and will largely ease traffic congestion in the city…it will also reduce petrol consumption and consequently cut pollution levels in the air.”

Related Content

  • Affordable and versatile traffic data
    January 20, 2012
    Houston TranStar, which has been collecting travel time and segment speed data using vehicle probe data since 1995, has an extensive coverage area that envelops most local commuters' daily freeway routes. However, expanding the existing Automated Vehicle Identification (AVI) system would be cost-prohibitive except for high-volume freeways. The partners of the Houston TranStar consortium needed a new method to measure speeds and travel times on arterial roadway systems and rural freeways. Instead of using co
  • Developing an integrated WIM/ANPR enforcement system
    July 31, 2012
    The weigh in motion market remains especially buoyant and technological development continues to reflect this. Although there are major differences in operating philosophies, particularly between developed and developing countries, both the numbers of countries using Weigh In Motion (WIM) technology and the numbers of systems that they deploy are on the increase.
  • North Florida signals coordinated approach to congestion management
    October 7, 2013
    David Crawford investigates innovative congestion management in Florida. The largest US city by area is well into the implementation of an ambitious congestion management system (CMS) on the scale of those of higher-profile centres such as Seattle and San Francisco. Regional agency the North Florida Transportation Planning Organisation (NFTPO) aims to ensure that commuters on major highways in Jacksonville can rely on a minimum 72km/h (45mph) driving speed in normal conditions.
  • Radar reinforces detection efficiency
    March 16, 2016
    Radar can have distinct advantages in some transport-related situations as Colin Sowman found out during a visit to Navtech Radar. Despite tremendous advances in machine vision techniques, the accuracy and reliability of camera-based detection systems suffer during periods of poor visibility where other technologies may offer an alternative. Radar is one such technology. It too has seen significant development in recent years and according to Navtech Radar, the technology can often fulfil detection and moni