In collaboration with Alibaba, the RTA wants to launch the City Brain system in 2022. The system analyzes a large quantity of big data acquired from nol cards, buses, and taxis in operation, and employs AI and smart algorithms to control metropolitan traffic networks.
The Remote Bus Performance Monitoring Centre has contributed to reducing fuel consumption and faults by 5 to 10 percent, while the City Brain system is expected to increase the bus ridership by as much as 17 percent, according to Mattar Al Tayer, the authority’s director-general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA.
The RTA’s new AI-based City Brain system
The RTA plans to implement the City Brain system in 2022 in cooperation with Alibaba. The system is meant to manage urban traffic systems, and uses AI and advanced algorithms to analyse a massive amount of big data captured from nol cards, buses, and taxis in operation.
This data is then converted into information useful in sending instant notifications about the revised bus schedules and routes.
The system is expected to improve the bus ridership by 17 percent, reduce the average waiting time by 10 percent, and shorten the journey time by 5 percent, according to the state-run news agency, Wam.
The RTA director-general has also revealed a plan to qualify Emirati graduates through technical and practical training to groom them to take over future positions in the Maintenance and Services Department under a programme of 11 pathways running over 22 months.
The training aims to uplift the supervisory, administrative, and technical skills of inductees to familiarise them with the specialist job nature of the department.
Impact of RTA’s Remote Bus Performance Monitoring Centre
Al Tayer reviewed the operational results of the Remote Bus Performance Monitoring Centre at Al Quoz Bus Depot run in collaboration with FAMCO.
The centre tracks and monitors the performance and efficiency of about 373 Volvo buses in real-time using a telematics system fitted to the new buses to enhance the operational processes and support the maintenance procedures.
The system contains 47 types of notifications that cover the mechanical aspects of the bus, fuel consumption per kilometre and the condition of the onboard safety systems.
The results of the initial operational phase revealed that the system had reduced fuel consumption by 5 percent, bus faults during journeys by 10 percent, and customer complaints from drivers by 15 percent.
The system had also supported the planning for the periodic and preventive maintenance of buses, improved the assessment of drivers’ efficiency, enhanced the road safety levels, and increased customers’ happiness ratings.
The agency intends to expand the scope of the system to include 316 additional buses.
Al Tayer stressed that RTA would continue to roll out public transport projects and integrated infrastructure and facilities to provide smooth services to riders and promote the welfare and happiness of residents.
RTA has recently opened six new public bus stations, including Al Ghubaiba, Al Jaffiliya, Etisalat, Union, Oud Maitha, and Al Satwa.
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