RTA Launches Pilot Operation to Clean Traffic Signals Using Drones

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched a pilot operation to clean traffic signals across Dubai using drone technology. This innovative step reflects RTA’s commitment to adopting advanced technologies within operational processes and deploying smart solutions that align with a future-focused vision to enhance service quality, optimise resource efficiency, and achieve the highest levels of traffic safety for all road users.
The initiative enhances safety standards by eliminating the need for a manlift during cleaning operations. It also reduces operational costs by limiting reliance on heavy equipment, while supporting sustainability objectives through lower fuel and water consumption and reduced emissions associated with conventional equipment.
Abdulla Ali Lootah, Director of Roads and Facilities Maintenance at Traffic and Roads Agency, RTA, said that RTA continued to adopt advanced and innovative technologies to enhance maintenance activities, sustain operational efficiency, and ensure consistent performance across roads and related facilities in the Emirate. He added that the pilot operation to deploy drones for cleaning traffic signals had included a comparative assessment between the new technology and the traditional method, focusing on time, cost, quality of execution, and compliance with safety requirements.
Lootah added that the first phase had involved a series of trials at the Marrakech Street–Rebat Street junction, where a limited traffic closure was implemented to ensure the highest safety standards during the initial pilot phase. Preliminary results demonstrated a reduction in operational time ranging from 25% to 50%, with the drone completing the cleaning of a single side in just three to four minutes. The trials also showed an estimated reduction in operational costs of up to 15% compared with the traditional method, with projections indicating that this figure could rise to 25% in the future through the use of more advanced drone technologies.
Lootah emphasised the continuation of the pilot operation to ensure the effective use of drone technologies in maintenance activities. He noted that the next phase would assess the cleaning methodology, with a focus on achieving the highest safety standards and avoiding any impact on traffic flow. These efforts will enhance the quality of operational processes and further strengthen the performance of the road infrastructure and network across the Emirate of Dubai.