UAE: How police are using AI to detect traffic violations, respond to accidents faster

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) based systems to assess crash data to improve road infrastructure and accident response times and detect traffic violations has enhanced road safety in Abu Dhabi, authorities have revealed.

In a statement issued during Arab Traffic Week, which is celebrated from May 4 to 10, the Abu Dhabi Police said it has succeeded in applying AI systems to enhance traffic safety for road users.

According to the police, the use of smart technologies such as AI has helped significantly reduce offences in the capital and made the roads safer owing to swift emergency response.

Abu Dhabi Police introduced the Safe City Project using AI almost four years ago. The force uses these cutting-edge technologies and the latest development in robotics and AI in all areas of operations.

Police said they were using drones to monitor traffic flow, detect congestions and direct patrols at hotspots.

The force also introduced the smart towers system, which alerts drivers on motorways through changing electronic messages, which caught red-light runners, analysed traffic accidents and helped with heavy truck management.

Major Eng. Ahmed Surour Al Shamsi, head of Safe City Department at Abu Dhabi Police, earlier told Khaleej Times that the AI system had helped make roads safer by reducing response time in reaching accident spots or emergencies.

"The use of technology also helps control traffic violations and road deaths," he said.

"We have more than 250,000 vehicles in Abu Dhabi, and we have to ensure that they are all insured and inspected. This can only be done through data provided by the smart system," Al Shamsi said at the summit.

The official noted that technology was also helping the force to analyse traffic violations, and, if there's a dangerous driver on the road, the operation rooms immediately sent out a patrol vehicle to corner the driver.

He revealed that five smart gates across the city communicate with each other and provide alerts to drivers on fog, rain, accidents, or traffic congestion. The smart system can also detect errant drivers, including those speeding, using mobile phones and other violations.