Dubai to trial digital vehicle number plates

Vehicles in Dubai will be fitted with digital number plates to inform emergency services of drivers involved in accidents – according to a report by the BBC. The cars will be equipped with smart plates with digital screens, GPS and transmitters for a trial starting next month. Sultan Abdullah al-Marzouqi, head of the vehicle licensing department at Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said that the plates will make life easier for drivers in Dubai. He added that the initiative will also work out
April 11, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
Vehicles in Dubai will be fitted with digital number plates to inform emergency services of drivers involved in accidents – according to a report by the %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external BBC false http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-43710817 false false%>. The cars will be equipped with smart plates with digital screens, GPS and transmitters for a trial starting next month.


Sultan Abdullah al-Marzouqi, head of the vehicle licensing department at 6700 Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said that the plates will make life easier for drivers in Dubai. He added that the initiative will also work out any potential technological glitches caused by city’s desert climate.

For vehicles involved in a collision, the technology intends to allow real-time communication with other drivers about traffic conditions or any accidents ahead.

These number plates can also change to display an alert if a vehicle or digital plate is stolen.

In addition, fines, parking fees or renewing registration plates will be automatically deducted from users’ accounts. The plates can also be changed using the RTA’s app or website.
 
The final cost of the project is said only to be known after it finishes in November. However, the technology’s ability to allow transport authorities to track drivers has raised concerns about privacy and information security.

UTC

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