2.5m driving licences in Dubai, official says as smart processes are approved

The project re-engineers the driver licensing services and transforms them into digital journeys.

There are over 2.5 million active driving licences in Dubai, it was revealed on Saturday.
The number of Dubai-registered vehicles hit 1.83 million, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said.
This came as Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, endorsed smart initiatives for improved licensing of drivers and vehicles, and roads maintenance.

HE Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of #RTA, endorsed a package of smart initiatives for improving and sustaining RTA's services. https://t.co/tKPgAJaIZh pic.twitter.com/z9pP2o0emv
- RTA (@rta_dubai) July 25, 2020

Smart driver testing

During a meeting, he viewed a presentation about a driver-testing vehicle deployed as part of a 'smart route system' - a futuristic project based on the use of information telecommunication technology (ITT) in vehicles. Such vehicles are fitted with smart sensors and GIS, enabling them to monitor driver licence trainees during tests. The system was installed in 250 vehicles, which carried out 43,828 tests at 16 driving institutes during the first quarter of this year. The project reduced the time of retrieving records by as much as 75 per cent, cut accident-reporting time by 75 per cent as well, and saved the printing of 60,000 papers.
The project employs advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, internet of things, advanced co-driver assisting systems, GIS, face-recognition technology, and 3D panoramic imaging.

Mattar Al Tayer endorsesa package of smart initiatives for improving and sustaining @rta_dubai's services. The package includes the use of drones in bridge maintenance works and smarter licensing of vehicles and drivers. #Dubai https://t.co/4I2IhYTCiS pic.twitter.com/ABmE8w9CQv
- Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) July 25, 2020

Digital transformation

Al Tayer also listened to a briefing about the digital transformation of drivers licensing. The project re-engineers the driver licensing services and transforms them into digital journeys.
The project will reduce the average number of visits to drivers licensing centres from 14 to zero; cut the carbon footprint from 18,000 tons to zero; and increase the number of service delivery channels from three to six. It also supports the paperless government strategy by saving the printing of four million papers.


Smart maintenance

In a separate meeting, he reviewed an initiative for the deployment of drones in monitoring maintenance works. Drones were used in inspecting the structural components of pedestrian bridges crossing over the Dubai Water Canal and elevated structures.
The RTA chief also reviewed a smart surveillance system installed inside bridge bearing. The system consists of sensors inserted in bridge pillars to monitor and measure loads as well as the surrounding environmental conditions. The system facilitates the monitoring of bridge movement and the conditions to which it might be exposed throughout its lifecycle.

sahim@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Dubai