Dubai RTA Launches AI Strategy to Slash Traffic and Boost Service Speed

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched a comprehensive Artificial Intelligence strategy designed to transform urban mobility. By integrating advanced machine learning and predictive analytics across 41 business areas, the authority expects to improve traffic flow, accelerate customer service delivery, and enhance the overall reliability of public transport networks. Sectors and departments, the strategy covers 41 areas across RTA’s agencies. Al Tayer emphasised that investing in AI is an investment in Dubai’s future and global competitiveness. Data, qualified talent and strategic partnerships to boost productivity, optimise resource utilisation, accelerate transaction processing and develop innovative solutions to future challenges, he noted that RTA is focused on building an integrated corporate ecosystem that brings together advanced technologies. Dubai to ban trucks on several key roads from Oct 1. Why did Dubai replace its famous Satwa Roundabout.

A core focus of this initiative is the reduction of traffic congestion by 3 to 5 percent. This will be achieved through enhanced transport planning and dynamic traffic management systems. Additionally, the RTA has set a safety target of decreasing accidents involving newly licensed drivers by 10 to 20 percent, leveraging data-driven insights to improve road safety standards. One of the most significant targets is a 3 to 5 per cent reduction in traffic congestion through the wider use of AI in transport planning, traffic management and road network operations, for motorists. While providing engineering insights to support approval decisions, it helps applicants submit documents and conducts preliminary checks against approved procedures. According to al Tayer, The updated strategy marked an advanced stage in RTA’s digital transformation, moving beyond AI applications that support operations towards intelligent systems capable of analysing data, predicting outcomes, supporting decisions and delivering end-to-end services.

For vehicle owners, the strategy introduces a major upgrade to the RTA’s smart services.

By transforming the ‘Mahboub’ chatbot from a simple inquiry tool into a transaction-processing platform, the authority aims to complete various licensing services in under five minutes.

Currently, the platform allows for five specific licensing transactions and provides access to roughly 100 information services. Available through the RTA app, website and WhatsApp, already enables customers to complete five vehicle licensing services entirely online and access around 100 information services, the upgraded platform.

RTA plans to expand this service capability to 10 percent by late 2026 and 50 percent by the end of 2027. Dubai Ride 2026: RTA announces designated car parks.

Efficiency in documentation is also a priority. The new Agentic AI Auditor, a system developed by the Licensing Agency and the AI and Data Science Centre, utilizes optical character recognition and machine learning to verify documents. This tool is expected to audit 100 percent of targeted documents—replacing manual sampling—and accelerate auditing processes by up to 21 times, saving more than 25,000 manual work hours annually. The system aims to accelerate reviews threefold and save more than 700,000 days annually.

Public transport commuters will see improvements through an Agentic AI-powered Network Planner. By deploying roughly 20 AI agents to monitor and simulate bus routes, the RTA aims to increase on-time performance by 10 percent. The system is also designed to shorten the implementation time for service adjustments from 60 days to 48 days, while improving the cost recovery ratio by 3 to 7 percent. Identifies gaps in services, simulates different operational options and recommends improvements, the system analyses performance indicators. UAE reveals control tower for AI government agents.

Operational efficiency across the authority is expected to rise significantly. Complaint and case processing times are projected to drop by 20 to 30 percent, while wait times at Customer Happiness Centres should decrease by 14 to 16 percent. Furthermore, the electronic No Objection Certificate (eNOC) system, which currently processes 130,000 certificates annually, will be optimized to handle reviews three times faster. While service delivery times are expected to decrease by 15 to 20 per cent, waiting times at RTA Customer Happiness Centres are targeted to fall by 14 to 16 per cent.

Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, CEO of the Corporate Technology Support Services Sector, confirmed that the initial phase of this strategy has already identified over 180 use cases across 11 business areas. Meanwhile, the internal adoption of Microsoft Copilot has already saved 10 percent of working time for staff, with active usage now exceeding 90 percent. With 40 AI products planned, 11 of which have already been completed, alongside four foundational projects, its first two implementation waves focus on 11 business areas. According to ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA’s Corporate Technology Support Services Sector,, The first wave had identified more than 180 AI use cases and quick-win initiatives across 11 business areas, involving 12 implementing departments.

The broader vision, as described by RTA officials, marks a transition from simple operational support to an ecosystem of intelligent, decision-making systems. Over the next two and a half years, the RTA intends to transition 50 percent of its total operations to this Agentic AI model.

This shift is projected to generate more than Dh300 million in annual added value, ensuring the transport network remains sustainable and responsive to Dubai’s rapid urban and economic expansion.