Dubai’s RTA Announces New AI Technology that Detects 1mm Cracks in the Road
Dubai’s RTA Announces New AI Technology that Detects 1mm Cracks in the Road:
The Dubai Road Transport Authority has announced that it will utilize AI-based laser technology to detect road cracks. The primary goal of this new technology uptake is to boost the safety of Dubai’s road transport networks. Ordinarily, the RTA’s patrol cars regularly scan the emirate’s motorways to detect crack holes and reduce inconvenience to motorists. However, the newly released AI technology will likely make this process more seamless.
According to Hamad Al Shehi, the RTA’s Director of Roads and Facilities Maintenance, the AI device will be mounted on numerous patrol vehicles and it will be able to identify up to 13 road defects. He also stated that the Authority’s automated pavement management system will help the Emirate complete the maintenance of 168 lane kilometers this year. This accounts for more than double the maintenance count the Authority achieved last year.
From the details provided by the RTA, the new AI system has unprecedented maintenance capabilities and can detect cracks as little as 1mm. This is because the device uses sensors and AI algorithms to identify road defects. It scans the road surface and instantly detects cracks due to its high-resolution cameras and sophisticated scanning abilities. The system also uses its AI algorithms to process the captured data and analyze key indicators like crack width and depth. Additionally, it generates detailed reports for RTA engineers to be able to plan and prioritize repairs.
According to the RTA, the system has been used to carry out maintenance checks on key routes like the Sheikh Zayed Road and the Dubai Al-Ain Road. The Authority also stated that the system contributed to the improvement of Dubai’s pavement quality index which hit 95% last year. Currently, Dubai’s road network extends across 18,765 lanes. Given the technology’s capacity, it can scan Dubai’s entire road network once every two years.
The RTA’s Entry into the AI Ecosystem
Earlier this year, the RTA launched an enterprise platform to design and deploy AI solutions according to world-class standards. The enterprise platform was primarily targeted at analyzing RTA-owned data and restructuring it to train machine learning models. According to Mattar Al Tayer, the Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors in the RTA, the platform showcases the RTA’s unwavering commitment to Dubai’s emergence as the world’s smartest city.
The RTA also stated that its integration of AI is primarily targeted at the predictive maintenance of roads, public transportation network planning, and crowd management. The authority intends to deploy these use cases by 2031.
Bottom Line
Overall, the recent incorporation of AI technology aligns with the RTA’s automation strategy. The launch of the enterprise platform indicates that the Authority is set to release more AI technologies to accelerate the discharge of its functions. With constant AI technology rollouts, Dubai will likely be on the right track to achieving global recognition as a smart city.
Last Updated on 11 months by News Editor
