The Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai is working with telco Etisalat to explore future technologies in mobility and communications.

At a recent meeting, a delegation from e&, as Etisalat is now known, visited the RTA to discuss enhancing the use of future technologies in mobility and communications. The discussion also explored opportunities for joint projects aimed at advancing mobility infrastructure and developing innovations tailored to the demands of the digital era.

The meeting focused on leveraging technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence (AI) and the IoT to improve smart mobility services and enhance the comfort, safety and quality of life for public transport users in Dubai. Additionally, it highlighted opportunities to use modern communication networks to provide real-time, accurate data on traffic movement and logistics services, contributing to smoother traffic flow and reduced congestion.

The RTA (www.rta.ae) showcased its digital initiatives across the key areas of digital twins, metaverse, robotics, ecosystems, enterprise, AI, data analytics and IoT. These initiatives are part of phase one of RTA’s recently announced Digital Strategy 2023-2030, encompassing 82 projects and initiatives. The strategy aims to build a flexible and scalable digital infrastructure, achieve fintech-enabled mobility at 100%, increase the digital adoption rate of services to 95%, digitally empower all employees, and develop 50 AI use cases.

“By leveraging the power of 5G technology for real-time traffic management, adopting AI to provide seamless travel experiences, and utilising IoT to develop smarter and safer infrastructure, we strive to push the boundaries of what is achievable and establish leadership in intelligent transport systems,” said Mohammed Al Mudharreb, CEO of RTA’s corporate technology support services sector. “By harnessing advanced technologies, we aim to build an integrated mobility ecosystem defined by intelligence, efficiency and sustainability, dedicated to serving our community and seamlessly connecting its various sectors.”

Abdullah Al Ahmad, acting senior vice president for e& (www.etisalat.ae) in the UAE, added: “At e& UAE, we believe the advanced digital technologies we develop, along with our innovations, play a pivotal role in driving digital transformation and shaping the future of smart mobility. We are committed to delivering a flexible and advanced digital infrastructure that enhances the efficiency and quality of transport services by leveraging our 5G networks, AI applications and IoT. Our partnership with the RTA in Dubai underscores our dedication to creating sustainable integrations that align with Dubai’s vision of becoming the world’s smartest city.”

During the workshop, participants proposed ideas for further study, covering areas such as mobility-as-a-service platforms, 5G technology integration in public transport, vehicle connectivity through the IoT, and the incorporation of communication towers into smart city infrastructure.