Dubai's transport authority is trialling the use of artificial intelligence to monitor tram drivers.
The Roads and Transport Authority on Sunday said the data collected could be used to cut accidents, prevent unsafe driving, show incident hot spots and enhance passenger safety.
The system includes a smart device and an armband that tracks drivers' heart rates, speech patterns and reaction times to assess driving style, unsafe patterns and gestures based on profiles.
The RTA said the data collected is then “processed from both incidents and routine operations to provide a comprehensive understanding of the individuals”.
“Transportation networks and their assets are widely known as critical infrastructure that require attention to detail and special protection,” said Hassan Al Mutawa, director of rail operations at the RTA.
“Looking at the potential of human errors and how to mitigate them, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority uses the latest innovative solutions such as artificial intelligence. Following a successful trial, we expect to implement it across … Dubai Tram.”
It is the third phase of the trial using a deep learning model developed by Spanish firm Own Experiences, which has a research and development office in the UAE called “Virtue”.
Three years ago, the RTA introduced facial recognition software to monitor stress levels and signs of fatigue among drivers.
The RTA said if a driver shows signs of tiredness or lack of concentration an alert is sent from the main control room via a series of sounds and seat vibrations.
Dubai Tram, which runs along Al Sufouh Road and Jumeirah Beach Road, opened in 2014 and is operated by Keolis MHI.
The network connects to Dubai Metro and Palm Jumeirah's monorail.
While you're here ...
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
The specs
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- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
AndhaDhun
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Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan
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How green is the expo nursery?
Some 400,000 shrubs and 13,000 trees in the on-site nursery
An additional 450,000 shrubs and 4,000 trees to be delivered in the months leading up to the expo
Ghaf, date palm, acacia arabica, acacia tortilis, vitex or sage, techoma and the salvadora are just some heat tolerant native plants in the nursery
Approximately 340 species of shrubs and trees selected for diverse landscape
The nursery team works exclusively with organic fertilisers and pesticides
All shrubs and trees supplied by Dubai Municipality
Most sourced from farms, nurseries across the country
Plants and trees are re-potted when they arrive at nursery to give them room to grow
Some mature trees are in open areas or planted within the expo site
Green waste is recycled as compost
Treated sewage effluent supplied by Dubai Municipality is used to meet the majority of the nursery’s irrigation needs
Construction workforce peaked at 40,000 workers
About 65,000 people have signed up to volunteer
Main themes of expo is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ and three subthemes of opportunity, mobility and sustainability.
Expo 2020 Dubai to open in October 2020 and run for six months
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What is a credit score?
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