Image: WAM
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has highlighted the growing impact of its Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) system in improving mobility and road safety across the emirate.
According to RTA, real-time alerts displayed on DMS boards have helped cut travel times by up to 20 per cent along key road corridors, while also strengthening road safety through early warnings on accidents, congestion, breakdowns, and adverse weather conditions.
The authority currently operates 112 electronic message signs positioned across Dubai’s primary road network. These signs are fully integrated with the iTraffic system at the Intelligent Traffic Systems Center, enabling continuous monitoring and rapid response to changing traffic conditions.
The expansion of the DMS network reflects RTA’s focus on adopting advanced global traffic management technologies to deliver safer, more efficient journeys for residents and visitors. By guiding motorists away from congestion and potential hazards, the system supports Dubai’s wider smart city ambitions and its people-first mobility strategy.
Commenting on the system, Salah Al Marzouqi, director of Intelligent Traffic Systems at RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency, said, “The system significantly enhances road safety by generating sequential messages based on the location of an incident. It automatically creates consecutive alert zones at different distances—starting 2 kilometres before the incident site, followed by a congestion zone, and finally a guidance zone further away with lighter traffic—to redirect vehicles away from the accident site and reduce the risk of secondary collisions.”
He added, “Dynamic Message Signs are among the most important real-time communication channels with road users. They are used to broadcast alerts about congestion, accidents, and vehicle breakdowns, manage traffic diversions, guide movement during major events, and support road safety awareness campaigns. The RTA has dedicated 22 signs to display travel times to key destinations such as Dubai International Airport and Dubai Marina, with data broadcast automatically around the clock to help drivers make better route decisions.”
Al Marzouqi further noted, “During the first half of 2025, a total of 17,819 messages were displayed through the DMS system. Accident-related messages topped the list with 12,283, followed by 1,038 warning messages, 984 congestion alerts, and 905 breakdown notifications. Additionally, 90 messages were issued for full road closures, along with 2,519 other alerts covering weather conditions, roadworks, and more. These figures highlight the system’s pivotal role in effectively responding to diverse operational scenarios.”
RTA added that the DMS platform is linked with a wide range of field sensors, including travel time monitors, traffic volume and speed detectors, and weather stations. Using artificial intelligence, the central iTraffic system analyses this data to generate immediate response plans, which are either approved by operators or automatically deployed during emergencies such as heavy rain or fog.
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