A new system announced on Sunday analyses data to automatically direct taxis to the highest demand spots in Dubai. The ‘Smart Direction’ system is powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to determine the most in-demand spots as indicated by a forecast system.

The project will reduce the consumption of fuel and increase the number of journeys per vehicle, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said.

The system is among a package of improvement projects and services approved for the Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC). These initiatives involve expanding the use of AI technologies, automating processes to raise the level of operational efficiency of taxi services and enhancing traffic safety.

Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, said: “The approved projects include a robotic process automation (RPA), which will improve the operational efficiency of vehicles by 3 per cent, increase the accuracy of data and forecast of areas with the highest demand by 10 per cent, cut the trip time and increase the percentage of productive kilometres. It will also increase the rate of trip acceptance by 15 per cent, and reduce the cost of human resources by 20 per cent.”

This project aims to deliver smart, digital and sustainable services to drivers through streamlining the collection procedures and enhancing operational efficiency. It also aims to increase the operational efficiency of vehicles, increase the number of journeys, and reduce maintenance and fuel costs.