Smart platform in Dubai public buses to monitor physical distancing

Our Correspondent

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced on July 26 that it has introduced a new smart platform to monitor physical distancing on public buses in Dubai. The platform, which uses ‘big data’, is linked electronically with the control centres of the public transport authority, explained Khaled Al Awadhi, director of transportation systems at RTA. It helps the assigned personnel take action whenever bus passengers are found sitting or standing very close to each other.

Big data is a term used to describe large data sets that are analysed to reveal patterns, trends, behaviour and interactions.
Al Awadhi said that the platform relays details of non-compliant buses, including the route number, percentage of non-compliance detected, date and time of the journey, driver details in addition to the extent and frequency of non-compliance on the part of the involved bus. This big data tool is part of RTA’s innovative solutions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on public buses, he added. Up to 1,615 buses are currently serving commuters across the emirate.

The platform is also part of the authority’s plans to maximise the benefits of big data in improving public transport, he said. The RTA has decided to deploy 18 more buses to ease congestion and assist in the compliance of physical distancing, thus reducing such violations, Al Awadhi added.