The inside story of how Dubai RTA’s smart vehicles transform your road experience

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is pioneering the use of cutting-edge smart vehicles equipped with advanced laser and infrared cameras and technologies, while leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to maintain some of the world’s best road conditions.
RTA took select media to get a first-hand experience of a road rehabilitation project underway on a 14-km stretch of Emirates Road. The authority gave Gulf News a ride in two specialised smart vehicles used for inspection: one that detects 14 types of road defects, and another that measures the International Roughness Index (IRI), a critical factor in assessing road smoothness and rideability.

Abdullah Lootah, Director of Road and Facilities Maintenance at the Traffic and Roads Agency, highlighted how these innovations are central to delivering a seamless driving experience across the city.

“We use these vehicles with modern technologies to ensure road quality is among the best in the world.”
Dubai currently boasts a Pavement Quality Index of 95 per cent and a rideability score of 97 per cent, ranking the city number one worldwide for road smoothness.

One of these vehicles, the Laser Crack Measurement System (LCMS-2), utilises laser technology to detect 14 different types of asphalt defects, including alligator cracking, longitudinal and reflection cracks, and potholes.
“This system achieves an accuracy rate of approximately 97 per cent compared to traditional human inspections, allowing us to cover more ground efficiently.”

Complementing LCMS-2, another smart vehicle measures the International Roughness Index (IRI), a critical factor that assesses road smoothness and rideability.
“The IRI vehicle gives us data on the pavement’s ride quality.”

RTA’s smart vehicles are seamlessly integrated with AI-powered systems, including machine learning, to enhance operational efficiency.

“We are trying to align with the city's vision of including AI in our daily tasks.”

Since 2023, the introduction of LCMS-3, featuring AI integration, has transformed maintenance budgeting by prioritising repairs based on the severity of defects.
“For example, it can distinguish whether an alligator crack requires immediate attention or if repairs can be deferred, helping us allocate 90 per cent of maintenance budgets more effectively and control costs,” Lootah noted. Inspections occur biannually to ensure timely maintenance across Dubai’s extensive road network.

These vehicles, equipped with infrared and laser detection cameras, feed real-time data into RTA’s Pavement Management System (PMS). This system autonomously prioritises maintenance activities, optimises budgeting, and identifies high-risk areas requiring urgent intervention.

In April, RTA announced deploying Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology to evaluate not only pavement condition but also road infrastructure elements like light poles and traffic signs. LiDAR enhances RTA’s digital twin platforms by providing comprehensive asset data.
Currently, RTA operates 12 specialised vehicles, each dedicated to specific inspection tasks. “We are always trying to keep up with the technology.”