Dubai: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched the Transport Data Analysis Laboratory at the Enterprise Command and Control Centre (EC3), marking a significant step in strengthening Dubai’s data-driven transport planning and traffic management capabilities.
The laboratory monitors, collects, and analyses transport data, producing specialised studies and reports that enhance decision-making at both strategic and operational levels. It is designed to support transport planning during major events, peak seasons, and emergencies, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility.
The new facility serves as a key enabler of EC3’s role as an integrated strategic platform linking RTA’s control centres. By unifying operational monitoring within a single system, the laboratory leverages artificial intelligence, big data, and predictive models to analyse scenarios, deliver proactive solutions, improve response times, and enhance operational efficiency across the transport network.
Mohammed Al Ali, Director of the Enterprise Command and Control Centre, said the laboratory represents a qualitative shift in operational analytics. He noted that the integration of monitoring systems with artificial intelligence transforms vast volumes of data into predictive indicators that support accurate and rapid decision-making, contributing to smoother traffic flow and a more sustainable transport system across the emirate.
The laboratory receives real-time and historical data from more than 35 sources, covering buses, metro, tram, marine transport, taxis, limousines, private vehicles, and soft mobility modes. It also automates over 150 operational performance indicators, strengthening planning, on-ground coordination, policy evaluation, and response speed.
Al Ali added that the initiative supports RTA’s vision for safe, seamless, and sustainable mobility, while expanding opportunities for research collaboration with academic institutions and strategic partners to develop advanced analytical models for forecasting traffic demand and movement under varying conditions.
Field Analysis
The Transport Data Analysis Laboratory recently analysed traffic movement during GITEX 2025, using the Data Drive platform to study traffic patterns before and during the event. The analysis helped identify congestion points and improve traffic flow across the exhibition area, with insights set to support planning for future major events.
Additionally, the laboratory’s advanced analytics contributed to identifying locations with a higher likelihood of recurring traffic accidents, enabling corrective measures in coordination with relevant authorities, thereby enhancing road safety and ensuring smoother traffic movement across Dubai.
