Smart technology and interconnected networks will soon transform the way accident response units such as ambulances and police are alerted, according to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Dubai will be a pioneer, as the first city in the world to test a series of smart plates utilizing the RTA’s advanced Tag2Connect (T2C) platform which promises to improve safety and provide important data to the authorities.

The innovative smart plates will replace the traditional metal plates and will be digital screens equipped with transmitters, GPS and a microprocessor chip. The system was displayed recently at the Dubai International Government Achievements Exhibtion (DIGAE).

Based on the Internet of Things (IoT) and blockchain technologies, the smart number plates will allow continuous connectivity allowing vehicles to interact with each other as well as providing information to the Traffic Monitoring Centre. In order to make sure the system works well and to identify any glitches, a trial will be conducted until the end of this year.

Sultan Al Marzouqi, Director of Licensing, RTA said: “This feature will help us study road behaviour of a driver, track the vehicle’s movement as well as helping the driver to conduct seamless transaction with different authorities. Also among the benefits is that the system will send out automatic alerts to authorities concerned in case of an emergency.”

He added: “The smart plate is like a device that is connected to the system. It will be compatible with the different mobile platforms and drivers will be able to conduct any transaction using the plate number, without having to visit the customer care centre. During the trial we will work out the modalities of the system, the cost of the plates, how to roll it out in the future and it will require to have the system in place.”

Additionally, the smart plate will also be linked to a driver’s traffic file and e-purse, enabling vehicle registration, testing and paying fines as well. Interested in knowing more about the current and upcoming RTA projects in the UAE? Stay updated with the ejarcar.com blog!