RTA launches AI-powered transport lab to manage congestion across Dubai

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched a Transport Data Analysis Laboratory at its Enterprise Command and Control Centre (EC3), strengthening the emirate’s ability to monitor traffic conditions, anticipate congestion and respond proactively to transport challenges.

The new laboratory will collect, monitor and analyse large volumes of transport data, producing specialised studies and reports to support decision-making at both strategic and operational levels. RTA said the initiative will enhance readiness for transport planning, major events and emergency situations, while reinforcing Dubai’s position as a smart city and a global leader in sustainable mobility.

The laboratory plays a central role in advancing EC3’s function as an integrated strategic platform linking RTA’s various control centres. By unifying operational monitoring within a single system, the facility activates artificial intelligence technologies and predictive models to analyse scenarios, deliver proactive solutions and improve response times during large-scale events and peak activity periods.

Mohammed Al Ali, Director of the Enterprise Command and Control Centre, said the laboratory represents a major shift in RTA’s operational analytics capabilities. “It strengthens integration between monitoring systems and artificial intelligence and converts large volumes of operational data into predictive indicators that support accurate and rapid decision-making,” he said.

“These indicators contribute to smoother traffic flow, higher operational efficiency and enhanced sustainability of the transport system across the emirate,” Al Ali added, noting that the initiative supports RTA’s vision for safe, seamless and sustainable mobility.

Real-time data drives traffic solutions

The Transport Data Analysis Laboratory is supplied with real-time data from more than 35 sources covering multiple transport modes, including buses, metro, tram, marine transport, taxis, limousines, soft mobility options and private vehicles. It also automates more than 150 operational performance indicators, improving coordination, planning effectiveness and the evaluation of transport policies.

RTA said the laboratory has already been used to analyse traffic movement during major events, including GITEX 2025, identifying congestion points and supporting measures to improve traffic flow around exhibition venues. The insights generated will inform planning for future events and seasonal peaks.

The facility has also contributed to identifying locations with a higher likelihood of recurring traffic accidents, enabling corrective measures to be implemented in coordination with relevant authorities. RTA said this data-driven approach will help improve road safety and ensure smoother traffic movement across Dubai’s road network.