• Hundreds of thousands of pupils across the UAE will begin their new school year on August 29, and traffic congestion is expected during rush hours. Photo: Antonie Robertson / The National
    Hundreds of thousands of pupils across the UAE will begin their new school year on August 29, and traffic congestion is expected during rush hours. Photo: Antonie Robertson / The National
  • School children catch the bus in Dubai. The National
    School children catch the bus in Dubai. The National
  • Traffic along Hessa street in Dubai as parents and drivers pick up school children at the end of the school day last year. Photo: Antonie Robertson / The National
    Traffic along Hessa street in Dubai as parents and drivers pick up school children at the end of the school day last year. Photo: Antonie Robertson / The National
  • School bus on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    School bus on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Children cross road to get to school. Photo: The National
    Children cross road to get to school. Photo: The National

Expo 2020 Dubai: How cities are reducing traffic congestion with data


Kelly Clarke
  • English
  • Arabic

Traffic congestion is a headache for drivers everywhere.

But with an estimated three million people moving to cities around the world every week, rapid urbanisation is making the situation worse.

A report released earlier this year at the OECD International Transport Forum (ITF) said global transport activity will more than double by 2050, and traffic emissions will rise by 16 per cent compared with 2015.

To help reduce traffic, some cities are already harnessing Internet of Things (IoT) devices and smart technologies to mitigate road congestion through the use of smart traffic management systems.

IoT devices are embedded with sensors, processing ability, software, and other technologies that connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the internet or other communications networks.

With open data platforms, governments can implement policies by making use of data that is available and in turn make it purposeful for humanity
Afzal Mohammed,
Siemens

Speaking at the Urban and Rural Development forum at Expo 2020 Dubai, Afzal Mohammed, vice president of IoT technology and innovation at Siemens, said policymakers need to utilise data for city-specific challenges.

“Governments need to harness technology based on purpose and need,” he said.

“But it has to be a collective effort, including input from private entities and citizens too.

“With open data platforms, governments can implement policies by making use of data that is available and in turn, make it purposeful for humanity.”

As the drive for smarter and safer cities continues, government initiatives for traffic management are increasing as hyper-urbanisation continues to be a major factor in the growth of road congestion.

Citing examples from around the world, Mr Mohammed said cities in the Philippines and US are tackling peak hour traffic in partnership with taxis and navigation applications.

Here, The National looks at how data and IoT can help cities cope with mobility issues linked to rapid urbanisation.

Boston

Boston is keeping on top of its tracking through data-sharing on navigation applications. Huntstock
Boston is keeping on top of its tracking through data-sharing on navigation applications. Huntstock

In 2015, the city established a data-sharing partnership with the Google-owned navigation application Waze, to help improve the flow of vehicles over city streets.

Waze users can monitor real-time traffic on their smartphones, ask the app to show alternate routes, and report traffic conditions, construction projects, and police speed-monitoring locations.

The city then uses the Waze data to improve the flow of traffic in Boston and provide traffic alerts to users.

Waze’s traffic data is then used to help adjust Boston’s 550 signalled intersections at the city’s Traffic Management Centre, which also shares information on road closures with users in real-time.

Cebu City and Metro Manila

Traffic on Ayala Avenue in Manila, Philippines. iStockphoto
Traffic on Ayala Avenue in Manila, Philippines. iStockphoto

The city launched an Open Traffic platform several years ago that optimises the timings of traffic signals at peak hours using GPS data from the smartphones of drivers for the taxi-hailing app Grab.

The programme has helped to address traffic congestion and road-safety challenges through the use of big data and has allowed traffic management agencies to better manage traffic flows on the streets of Metro Manila and Cebu city.

New York City

HubCab tracks more than 170 million taxi trips a year. Reuters
HubCab tracks more than 170 million taxi trips a year. Reuters

HubCab was launched several years ago and today tracks more than 170 million taxi trips per year to understand taxi users’ travel patterns.

With an ever-increasing trove of real-time urban data streams, the data allows the transport authorities to see precisely where, how, and at what times different parts of the city become heavily congested.

By using the technology, the city can unravel the complexity of its travel patterns and identify how to reduce the social and environmental costs embedded in the transportation systems.

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company

The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.

He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.

“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.

“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.

HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon. 

With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

The studios taking part (so far)
  1. Punch
  2. Vogue Fitness 
  3. Sweat
  4. Bodytree Studio
  5. The Hot House
  6. The Room
  7. Inspire Sports (Ladies Only)
  8. Cryo
The rules on fostering in the UAE

A foster couple or family must:

  • be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
  • not be younger than 25 years old
  • not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
  • be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
  • have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
  • undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
  • A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
It Was Just an Accident

Director: Jafar Panahi

Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr

Rating: 4/5

THE SPECS

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch

Power: 710bhp

Torque: 770Nm

Speed: 0-100km/h 2.9 seconds

Top Speed: 340km/h

Price: Dh1,000,885

On sale: now

VEZEETA PROFILE

Date started: 2012

Founder: Amir Barsoum

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: HealthTech / MedTech

Size: 300 employees

Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)

Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC

The specs

Price, base: Dh228,000 / Dh232,000 (est)
Engine: 5.7-litre Hemi V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 552Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.5L / 100km

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Multitasking pays off for money goals

Tackling money goals one at a time cost financial literacy expert Barbara O'Neill at least $1 million.

That's how much Ms O'Neill, a distinguished professor at Rutgers University in the US, figures she lost by starting saving for retirement only after she had created an emergency fund, bought a car with cash and purchased a home.

"I tell students that eventually, 30 years later, I hit the million-dollar mark, but I could've had $2 million," Ms O'Neill says.

Too often, financial experts say, people want to attack their money goals one at a time: "As soon as I pay off my credit card debt, then I'll start saving for a home," or, "As soon as I pay off my student loan debt, then I'll start saving for retirement"."

People do not realise how costly the words "as soon as" can be. Paying off debt is a worthy goal, but it should not come at the expense of other goals, particularly saving for retirement. The sooner money is contributed, the longer it can benefit from compounded returns. Compounded returns are when your investment gains earn their own gains, which can dramatically increase your balances over time.

"By putting off saving for the future, you are really inhibiting yourself from benefiting from that wonderful magic," says Kimberly Zimmerman Rand , an accredited financial counsellor and principal at Dragonfly Financial Solutions in Boston. "If you can start saving today ... you are going to have a lot more five years from now than if you decide to pay off debt for three years and start saving in year four."

Results

5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m; Winner: Mcmanaman, Sam Hitchcock (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)

6.05pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Bawaasil, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson

6.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Bochart, Fabrice Veron, Satish Seemar

7.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Mutaraffa, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

7.50pm: Longines Stakes – Conditions (TB) Dh120,00 (D) 1,900m; Winner: Rare Ninja, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

8.25pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Alfareeq, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

9pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 2,410m; Winner: Good Tidings, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

9.35pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Zorion, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi

 

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
 
  • Grade 9 = above an A*
  • Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
  • Grade 7 = grade A
  • Grade 6 = just above a grade B
  • Grade 5 = between grades B and C
  • Grade 4 = grade C
  • Grade 3 = between grades D and E
  • Grade 2 = between grades E and F
  • Grade 1 = between grades F and G
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

All times UAE ( 4 GMT)

Saturday
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm)
Burnley v Huddersfield Town (7pm)
Everton v Bournemouth (7pm)
Manchester City v Crystal Palace (7pm)
Southampton v Manchester United (7pm)
Stoke City v Chelsea (7pm)
Swansea City v Watford (7pm)
Leicester City v Liverpool (8.30pm)

Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Newcastle United (7pm)

Monday
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion (11pm)

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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE

Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega

Director: Tim Burton

Rating: 3/5

Updated: November 02, 2021, 4:10 AM