RTA to unveil new bundle of smart services during Gitex week

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RTA to unveil new bundle of smart services during Gitex week
Photo: Supplied

Dubai - During the Gitex technology week, which begins today, the RTA will unveil a new bundle of smart services to customers, Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said. He said the authority will build 100 smart air-conditioned bus shelters.

By Staff Reporter

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Published: Sun 18 Oct 2015, 12:00 AM

Last updated: Mon 19 Oct 2015, 8:49 AM

Air-conditioned bus shelters offering complimentary Internet access will be just one of the many smart initiatives by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) that commuters can look forward to.
During the Gitex technology week, which begins today, the RTA will unveil a new bundle of smart services to customers, Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said. He said the authority will build 100 smart air-conditioned bus shelters.
"About 50 stations would be constructed over the next two months, and the remaining 50 would be constructed next January.
"The 'Smart Kiosk' will offer a wide range of services to bus riders including free WiFi Internet in cooperation with du, Nol card selling and top-up services, mobile phone top-ups, (and) payment of bills of government departments (among others)," said Al Tayer
Smart Mall
Commuters will soon be able to shop virtually at Metro stations through the Smart Mall - the first of its kind in the world.
"The Smart Mall project, undertaken by the RTA in conjunction with Etisalat, is one of the innovative initiatives offering smart solutions ... to Metro riders through interactive 3D ultra high definition (UHD) screens of nine square metres ... enabling two persons to (shop) ... at a time," said Al Tayer.
"The initiative would be implemented in five Metro stations: Four on the Red Line - Mall of the Emirates, Damac Properties, Dubai Internet City and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank; and one station on the Green Line - Baniyas Station."
Initially, the commuters can purchase food items using the screens. At a later stage, commuters will also be able to buy clothes and electronics.
"Through the Smart Mall, customers can select the items required, drop them in a shopping basket and pay through credit cards. Items purchased would be delivered to the place and time selected by the customer. RTA is considering other payment options, such as Nol cards and mobile phone balance," Al Tayer explained.
Through a new service, the RTA cut short the time taken to issue personalised Nol cards from 14 days to 15 minutes.
Commuters can get cards designed like watches or accessories. "These cards are tailor-made to fit the lifestyle of users."
Other smart moves
The RTA will also display its smart monitoring system during Gitex 2015. The first of its kind system enables tracking the performance of drivers and vehicles electronically without human intervention. The step will result in increasing the operational capacity of the fleet and directing drivers to address defects instantly.
"The RTA will also exhibit a system for eliminating defects of vehicles and maintaining the safety of roads. It involves fitting devices on heavy vehicles in Dubai, which help classify vehicles in terms of the degree of hazard. Accordingly, proactive measures will be taken to ensure the safety of road users," said Al Tayer.
A simulator will also be exhibited, enabling visitors to experiment driving under different climatic conditions of their choice, and accordingly obtain a performance rating.
"The launch of these new apps and smart services is in implementation of the initiative of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into the smartest city in the world offering services to the public via smart phones 24/7.
"Last April, the RTA completed the transition of all customer services to smart services designed to be creative, and user-friendly. About 173 services were transformed and (are) now offered via 10 smart apps usable in various types of smart-phones: Android, iPhone, Blackberry and Windows."
reporters@khaleejtimes.com 

Photo: Supplied
Photo: Supplied

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