Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has begun testing drones to clean traffic signals across the emirate as part of efforts to modernise operations and reduce costs.
The pilot programme removes the need for manlifts during cleaning and cuts reliance on equipment that consumes fuel and water while producing emissions.
RTA’s new drone technology trial launches for traffic signal cleaning across Dubai
According to a statement by the Dubai Media Office, Abdulla Ali Lootah, Director of Roads and Facilities Maintenance at Traffic and Roads Agency, RTA, said the authority continued to adopt technologies to enhance maintenance activities and sustain efficiency across roads and facilities in the emirate.
He said the pilot operation had included an assessment between the drone technology and the method used previously, focusing on time, cost, execution quality, and safety requirements.
The first phase involved trials at the Marrakech Street–Rebat Street junction, where a traffic closure was implemented to ensure safety standards during the pilot phase.
Results showed a reduction in time ranging from 25 per cent to 50 per cent, with the drone completing the cleaning of a single side in three to four minutes.
Dubai’s RTA tests drones for traffic signal maintenance to cut costs by 25%
The trials showed a reduction in costs of up to 15 per cent compared with the method used previously, with projections indicating that this figure could rise to 25 per cent through the use of drone technologies in the future.
Lootah said the pilot operation would continue to ensure the use of drone technologies in maintenance activities. He said the next phase would assess the cleaning methodology, with a focus on achieving safety standards and avoiding any impact on traffic flow.
He said these efforts would enhance the quality of processes and strengthen the performance of the road infrastructure and network across the emirate of Dubai.
The technology aligns with RTA’s vision to enhance service quality, optimise resource efficiency, and achieve levels of traffic safety for all road users.
