Dubai has seen improvements in road efficiency and traffic flow by between 16% and 37% during the first phase of upgrading its central traffic signal control system.

The UAE’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) is upgrading the system to the UTC-UX Fusion at intersections across several key corridors.

This represents a key step for RTA as it deploys technologies, AI and predictive analytics in traffic management. The project delivers a smoother and more efficient travel experience for road users while advancing Dubai’s vision of becoming a smart and sustainable city.

“RTA’s upgrade and alignment works had produced tangible results, exceeding our initial targets,” said Mohammed Al Ali, director at RTA (www.rta.ae).

Travel times improved by 10% to 20% overall, while operational trials showed gains of up to 37% at Jumeirah Street intersections, 29.4% at Al Badaa Street intersections, 16.9% at Kuwait Street intersections and 16.4% at Omar Bin Al Khattab Street intersections.

“The first phase of the project demonstrated the ability to detect congestion patterns and respond proactively,” Al Ali said. “It also applied digital-twin principles to test various traffic scenarios before field deployment. These capabilities enabled smarter adjustments to signal timings, improving operational efficiency, reducing waiting times and enhancing coordination between intersections. This ensured smoother traffic flow, reduced congestion and prioritised passage for emergency vehicles, public transport and pedestrians.”

He said RTA would continue the upgrade and alignment works in multiple phases, with full project completion expected in the third quarter of 2026. By then, around 300 traffic signal intersections across Dubai will have been converted to the system, delivering an improved mobility experience for all road users, whether travelling by private vehicle, public transport, on foot or by bicycle.

The system also supports multimodal transport, covering private vehicles, public transport, pedestrians and cyclists. It enables integration with V2X connected vehicle technologies and allows future data integration from a wide range of smart devices, strengthening monitoring and enabling more precise traffic analysis.