Dubai RTA Completes Installation of Smart Pedestrian Signals at 27 Sites

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai has successfully completed Phase Two of its Smart Pedestrian Signal Expansion Project. This phase involved the installation of smart pedestrian signals at 10 new locations across the emirate, bringing the total number of sites equipped with these signals to 27. The first phase had already covered 17 intersections.

The project is part of RTA’s strategic effort to integrate smart technologies into Dubai's traffic systems, aiming to improve road safety and facilitate pedestrian and vehicular movement. It aligns with Dubai’s vision of becoming a leader in infrastructure and mobility innovations.

Smart Pedestrian Signals Expand

The newly equipped locations include intersections on Omar Bin Al Khattab Street, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street, Al Satwa Street, Salah Al Din Street, Amman Street, Al Qusais Street (near labor camps), and Oud Metha Street (in front of a school zone). According to Mohammed Al Ali, Director of Intelligent Traffic Systems at RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency, there has been a noticeable improvement in safety levels at these crossings since the smart signals were activated, underscoring their efficacy in risk reduction and enhancing the road experience for all users.

Al Ali explained that the smart pedestrian signal system utilizes advanced detection technologies, including intelligent thermal cameras. These cameras function around the clock, accurately detecting pedestrian presence and movement both on sidewalks and while crossing, even under low-light or nighttime conditions. The system is integrated with push-button devices to register actual crossing requests, thereby improving signal efficiency and optimizing timing control.

“The proximity of pedestrian crossings to each other, the rate of pedestrian-related incidents at the location, road classification (including designated speed limits and the number of lanes per direction), and the availability and accessibility of pedestrian bridges—all contribute to the decision-making process regarding the installation of smart pedestrian signals at a given site," Al Ali added.

The smart signals feature sensors that adjust signal timings in real-time based on pedestrian speed, enhancing safety particularly for vulnerable groups such as seniors, People of Determination, and children. Additionally, this system aids in improving traffic flow by reducing unnecessary vehicle stops.