Hi-tech navigation system to help drivers on Dubai roads

A hi-tech navigation system will soon help vehicles traversing Dubai's network of roads and highways.

The advanced Dynamic Integrated Navigation System (DINS), to be launched by Dubai Municipality in April, will allow motorists to find their way more easily - as long as their cars have the required hardware.

The system can be installed as an in-car navigation device or personal desktop assistant (PDA). It will provide the driver the directions and even displays alternative roads in case of traffic congestion.

The system is expected to cost $800 each in addition to the cost of the CD to be sold by the municipality. Engineer Maitha Mohammed bin Adai, Head of the Traffic Technologies Section at the Roads Department, said the DINS is part of a series of five-year plans named the Transportation Network Improvement Plans laun-ched in 2001.

The first phase deals with the preparation of the navigation dataset. The second deals with overlaying real-time traffic information on the maps and informing the customers via WAP-enabled devices, in-car navigation systems, web desktop navigation and SMS.

The third phase comprises a business model to enable the municipality to market the system to information service providers and electronic map vendors.