Skip to main content

Dubai RTA implementing integrated synchronisation for signalised junctions

The number of signalised junctions in Dubai has increased to 412, most of which are controlled by the Traffic Control System Centres of the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA). According to engineer Maitha bin Udai, CEO of RTA's Traffic and Roads Agency, the agency is currently working on an integrated project to synchronise and upgrade databases for 180 main signalised junctions. Some 60 of them will be completed in the current year, and 120 next year, she said, adding that the implementation of the project
July 23, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
The number of signalised junctions in Dubai has increased to 412, most of which are controlled by the Traffic Control System Centres of the 6700 Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

According to engineer Maitha bin Udai, CEO of the RTA's Traffic and Roads Agency, the agency is currently working on an integrated project to synchronise and upgrade databases for 180 main signalised junctions. Some 60 of them will be completed in the current year, and 120 next year, she said, adding that the implementation of the project was in response to recommendations in a traffic study conducted by the RTA to improve the performance of the traffic signals in the emirate. The experimental studies conducted on some junctions in Dubai showed that the trip time dropped by 15 per cent in areas covered by the study and in which synchronisation and database upgrades were undertaken.

"The Agency attends to training engineers and operators of the intelligent traffic systems on a number of traffic plans for synchronising the timing of traffic lights, where such plans may in some junctions reach six different plans for a single traffic light per day, depending on peak hours and frequency of congestion in roads leading to junctions,” said Engineer Maitha. “The Agency also trains them on the latest techniques of signals timings, and methods of linking a number of traffic lights. The RTA is keen that the lapse time for all directions shall not exceed 240 seconds and that the connected traffic signals should not exceed 16 signals," she continued.

In respect of the traffic control centre, Maitha said the capacity of devices operating the signalling system has been upgraded at the control centre in order to manage the current and future of signalised junctions. "The Centre is equipped with the latest version of data analysis system to analyse information transmitted by sensors. The number of surveillance cameras increased to 240 cameras, and the Agency is moving ahead with plans to improve the calibre of traffic services rendered to the public," said Maitha.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Autonomous vehicles will not prevent half of real-world crashes
    April 5, 2017
    Alan Thomas of CAVT looks at the reality behind the safety claims fuelling the drive towards autonomous vehicles
  • Terrestrial solution to stellar shortcomings
    December 5, 2013
    Inherent weaknesses in satellite communications are leading several countries to re-evaluate terrestrial-based backup systems. There is a tale frequently told in satellite navigation circles, of how landing systems at Newark Airport were disrupted by a truck driver using GPS jamming equipment as he drove along the New Jersey Turnpike. While there was no threat to flight safety as the interference to GPS reference stations being tested, the story highlights how apparently benign threats have the potential t
  • Advanced traffic management amid urbanisation
    July 30, 2020
    There is no room for error on the crowded roads in many cities: Andrew Watson of Huawei explains why AI is a perfect tool to help urban authorities and transportation agencies look after people in busy traffic
  • 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.