The Enterprise Command and Control Centre (EC3) of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has won the Smart Project of the Year Award presented by CPI Trade Media, a multi-platform trade media company operating across print, digital and live event in the Gulf and MENA regions.
Nasir Bu Shehab, CEO of Strategy and Corporate Governance Sector, RTA was thrilled with the award as it reflected RTA’s efforts in undertaking huge technology-driven projects capable of supporting Dubai’s growth and development. “The Enterprise Command and Control Centre is not only characterised by its massive nature, but also by the sophisticated technologies and smart devices in use. The EC3 is also a key contributor to the corporate agility of transport strategy in Dubai, especially with Expo 2020 expected to kick-in next October,” he noted.
“The key objective of the EC3 is to establish a link between various public transit means (metro, tram, buses, taxis and marine transport means) together with a set of advanced traffic systems. It also links the control rooms of various RTA’s operational agencies with a fully integrated central control unit, and connects with external bodies related to RTA’s business as well. The EC3 has a pivotal role in managing crises, planning of giant events, compiling and analysing data, generating reports, and managing information security operations to name a few.
“The EC3 is resilient enough to manage a network of roads spanning 5,000 km, 1700 public buses, 10,000 taxis, 129 trains with 645 carriages connecting 54 stations (including 7 stations of Route 2020), and 11 trams shuttling between 11 stations,” explained Bu Shehab.
“The central control room has a giant screen covering 53 square metres in area, linking 34 RTA’s systems to ensure the display of real-time information. It accommodates and analyses the feed of about 10,000 surveillance cameras. The facility uses artificial intelligence technologies in managing events and crises, and mobile phone details and thermal indicators in to automatically assess crowds’ intensity and direct transit means to serve them. It ensures RTA’s simulated presence in the heart of events through a 3D visual display, and the use of drones to monitor mobility in addition to other technical capabilities that render the EC3 a model control centre worldwide.
RTA always seeks to use cutting-edge technologies in all operational and digital projects. The underlying intention of this drive is to support the Smart City initiative. It also contributes to realising a host of RTA’s strategic goals namely Smart Dubai, People Happiness and Advance RTA.
