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Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has initiated a pilot program utilizing drones to clean traffic signals, aiming to modernize maintenance operations. This effort supports the agency’s vision of enhancing efficiency, optimizing resource use, and improving road safety. By adopting drone technology, the need for cranes and heavy equipment is eliminated, reducing safety hazards during maintenance.
The initiative is expected to lower operational costs, conserve fuel and water, and diminish environmental pollution. Initial testing took place along Morocco Street and other major intersections, where traffic was briefly stopped during the trials. Drones can clean a traffic light in just three to four minutes, reducing cleaning time by 25 to 50% and cutting costs by approximately 15%.
This project also promotes sustainability by minimizing reliance on heavy machinery, leading to lower fuel and water consumption and fewer emissions. Abdullah Ali Lootah, Director of the RTA’s Roads and Facilities Maintenance Department, stated, “The authority aims to leverage advanced technologies to improve maintenance efficiency and ensure sustainable operations across Dubai’s road network.”
During the initial phase, drone trials at Marrakech and Rabat Streets involved limited traffic closures for safety. Early results indicated a 25% to 50% reduction in operational time, with drone cleaning a traffic light in three to four minutes. Costs were also reduced by up to 15%, a figure expected to reach 25% as drone technology advances.
Lootah emphasized that the pilot would continue to refine drone cleaning methods to maximize safety and prevent traffic disruptions. He added, “The next phase will focus on optimizing cleaning techniques, ensuring safety, and maintaining traffic flow, which will support Dubai’s road infrastructure and transport network improvements.”
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