Dubai Roads: Changing electronic signs enhance the transportation experience and reduce journey times by 20%
Dubai, December 25 / WAM / The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority has confirmed that the Dynamic Message Signs system has become one of the basic pillars in making transportation in the emirate smoother and safer, as the instant messages broadcast by the signs have contributed to reducing journey times by up to 20% on vital axis, in addition to raising traffic safety levels through early warning of accidents, traffic congestion, and volatile weather conditions.
The Authority currently operates 112 electronic signs strategically distributed on the main road network in the emirate, within the advanced traffic control system (iTraffic) at the Dubai Center for Intelligent Traffic Systems.
The development of the variable electronic license plate system reflects the Authority’s keenness to employ the latest international technologies, and its commitment to making transportation a safer and more comfortable experience for residents and visitors of the Emirate of Dubai.
The advisory messages contribute to avoiding congestion and traffic accidents, and also give drivers comfort and reassurance while driving, in line with Dubai’s vision to be a pioneering smart city that puts people and their safety as its priorities.
Salah Al Marzouqi, Director of the Intelligent Traffic Systems Department at the Authority’s Traffic and Roads Agency, said that the system contributes significantly to raising the level of traffic safety by preparing messages directed at successive levels according to the location of the accident, noting that the system automatically creates successive warning and guidance areas at different distances, starting from two kilometers before the accident site, then a congestion area, all the way to a more distant (less crowded) guidance area to direct movement away from the site of the traffic accident, thus reducing the possibility of secondary accidents occurring.
He added that the variable electronic signs are considered one of the most important channels of real-time communication with road users, as they are used to disseminate alerts regarding congestion, accidents, and vehicle breakdowns, manage traffic diversions, and direct movement during major events, in addition to traffic awareness campaigns. He pointed out that the authority has allocated 22 electronic signs to display the travel times to major destinations such as Dubai International Airport and Dubai Marina, by broadcasting data automatically and around the clock, which helps drivers make better decisions for their travel routes.
Al Marzouqi added that the first half of 2025 witnessed the operation of 17,819 messages via the variable electronic signs, and messages related to accidents came in the lead with 12,283 messages, followed by warning messages with 1,038 messages, then traffic congestion messages with 984 messages, and malfunction messages with 905 messages, and 90 messages related to total road closures were broadcast, in addition to 2,519 messages. Others included weather alerts, road works, etc., explaining that these numbers reflect the pivotal role of the system in responding effectively to various operational scenarios.
It is noteworthy that the variable signs are integrated with field sensor data such as systems for calculating trip times, devices for monitoring traffic volumes and speeds, in addition to weather monitoring stations. The central system (iTraffic) analyzes this huge data using artificial intelligence techniques to develop immediate response plans that are approved by operators or implemented automatically during emergency conditions such as fog or heavy rain.
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