RTA launches free navigation app Smart Drive

Official says the app will be more accurate than Google Maps because the data is updated by the RTA and Dubai Police.

It will give live traffic information, route maps

Navigating the roads of Dubai will be much easier with a new navigation app ‘RTA Smart Drive’. The free app will provide live traffic information and route maps based on data updated in real time, making it better than other navigation apps in stores.

“This app provides navigation with complete traffic details and latest traffic diversions. You can store your favourite routes and, everyday, the time for same route will dynamically change based on traffic,” said Ahmad Hashem Behroozian, CEO of the RTA’s Licensing Agency.

The app will be available on Android later this week and iOS users will have to wait till the end of this month.

“We believe the app will be more accurate than Google Maps because the data is updated by the RTA and Dubai Police. We provide information from multiple sources including pre-planned traffic diversions by the RTA, accidents reported to police, road congestion reports from taxi drivers,” he added.

Everyday, more than 8,000 taxis ply on Dubai’s roads. The app will use tracking data from taxis to feed real-time data into the app.

“We track the speed and movement of taxis to know about any new traffic congestions. Surveillance cameras on intersections are also monitored. A team of observers keep a tab on accidents reported to Dubai Police and all this information is updated in real time to help motorists,” explained Behroozian.

Interestingly, the RTA has allowed crowd sourcing on the app to make it even better. People can report traffic obstructions through the app.

“The navigation covers the entire UAE but traffic information will be available only for Dubai. The app will support both English and Arabic,” added the senior official. -muaz@khaleejtimes.com