RTA Dubai has announced plans to implement a smart traffic system network, V2X. It connects traffic signals directly to vehicles. This system, part of the emirate’s Smart Connected Vehicles project, will provide drivers with real-time road data via their dashboards.
The V2X network is planned to be deployed at approximately 620 intersections between 2027 and 2028. It will send updates such as signal countdowns, optimal crossing speeds, and accident alerts. The aim is to reduce congestion, improve safety, and make traffic efficient across the city.
The initiative aims to transform traffic management in Dubai, reduce congestion, and enhance road safety by using artificial intelligence (AI) and digital twin technologies to communicate with drivers inside their cars, improving road safety and reducing congestion.
Dubai to link traffic lights directly to car dashboards
According to the RTA, coordination with car manufacturers is already underway to equip new vehicles with built-in smart connectivity features. Owners of older cars will still be able to benefit through add-on devices or CarPlay and Android Auto applications, which will display live traffic data on the vehicle’s screen – helping drivers stay informed without using a mobile phone.
Engineer Salahuddin Al Marzooqi, Director of Intelligent Traffic Systems at the RTA’s Traffic and Roads Department, said that the V2X network will serve as a core component of Dubai’s next-generation traffic signal operations. Integrated into the Dubai Intelligent Traffic Systems Center (DITSC), this system will use AI to improve signal performance and optimize traffic flow across the city.
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Al Marzooqi further added that the platform supports multi-modal mobility, enabling data exchange between vehicles and connected infrastructure through ITS-C interactive technology. Built on digital twin principles, it will allow the RTA to simulate traffic scenarios, analyze intersections, and test operational decisions before implementing them in the real world.
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The system will deliver real-time information directly to the dashboard – including remaining green light duration, red light countdowns, signal status at upcoming intersections, optimal crossing speeds, congestion warnings, detours, closures, and accident notifications. Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication will be introduced in future phases to alert drivers of upcoming slowdowns or obstacles.
Al Marzooqi said, “The main goal is to reduce driver distraction from mobile phones by integrating all essential traffic information into vehicle dashboards, thereby improving safety and preventing accidents.” Using AI-powered cameras and computer vision analytics, the network will monitor vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists in real time, enabling immediate decision-making to improve traffic flow and safety.
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This infrastructure is expected to be completed within two years, followed by integration with car manufacturers and a pilot phase before full deployment between 2027 and 2028. Once operational, the system will position Dubai among the world’s leading cities in intelligent traffic management.