Dubai: Stuck at a red light? RTA shares hack to turn traffic signal green

You pull up to a traffic light and the signal suddenly turns green. Lucky stars? More like smart technology. Inductive loop sensors are among the most common vehicle detection systems used to 'sense' the presence of cars at an intersection.

Observant motorists in the UAE may have noticed rectangular grooves cut into the road just before the white line at a signal. That’s not a roadwork issue, but rather part of the mechanism that activates the smart sensors set up at traffic signals across the UAE.

Recommended For You

SIBF 2025: Feeling low? Poetry 'pharmacy' prescribes poems to visitors

New Dubai AI platform gives women facing abuse safe, private support

Deluxe Holiday Homes: Setting new standards for Dubai’s regulated holiday-rental market

'Pakistan Idol': Giving back a nation its voice

Palm Kitchen launches ‘The Grand Carnival Brunch’ on Palm Jumeirah

 

"It was a delivery rider who first showed me how the system works," said Dubai resident Ann George, who has been driving for nearly 20 years on the emirate's roads. "We were stuck at a signal for what felt like an unusually long time. There was no other traffic at that late hour, just me and the delivery guy in front of me — and yet the signal would not turn green."

Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.

Then, she said, something odd happened. "The delivery rider started paddling or duck-walking his bike over to the next lane, while gesturing for me to move forward and take his spot. He explained that there were sensors at the signal that probably weren't recognising his bike, but would recognise a car. Sure enough, as soon as I moved forward, the light turned green."

How does it work?

An inductive loop is basically a wire coil embedded in the road that detects the presence of large metal objects (like cars or trucks) passing over or stopping above it.

Connected to a detector unit nearby, the wire loop carries an electric current that creates a magnetic field. When a car stops over the loop, it disturbs the magnetic field and alerts the traffic light system about the presence of a vehicle.

Use across UAE

In Abu Dhabi, the Roads & Transport Agency (RTA) has installed thousands of inductive loops at intersections as part of adaptive traffic systems. Over 4,000 inductive loop sensors are in operation on Abu Dhabi’s main island.

Dubai is on track to upgrade 100 key intersections into “smart crossings” by 2026, using sensors — including inductive loops — alongside AI and real-time traffic monitoring to adjust light timings and optimise flow.

Watch this video by RTA to see how it works:

Benefits of inductive loop systems:

• Reliable performance in harsh weather: Unlike camera‑based systems, inductive loops aren’t affected by sand, heat, or glare.

• Simplicity and cost‑effectiveness: Once installed, they require minimal maintenance and are less prone to failure than complex AI visual systems.

• Proven technology: Ideal for lane-based detection and when traffic volumes vary throughout the day.

System not working?

Sometimes, vehicles are too small or may not have enough metal mass to trigger the sensor. Some newer vehicles with plastic or carbon fiber underbodies may also reduce the magnetic disturbance.

Tip: Try positioning your vehicle directly over the loop lines.

The loop also only detects vehicles within the sensor’s range — typically a few feet before the stop line. If you stop too far behind or past the loop, the sensor might not register you.

• Dubai

Karen Ann Monsy

karen@khaleejtimes.com

Karen Ann Monsy is Associate Editor, overseeing digital operations in the newsroom. She sees the world through headlines and SEO keywords — and loves building people and teams.