Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has started a trial run of a smart system for the remote monitoring of school buses. The step follows a broad-based field study of school buses in Dubai aimed at enhancing the safety of students of different ages.

“This initiative involves the installation of smart cameras, hi-tech communication devices and sensors in the interior and exterior of school buses. The system enables the remote monitoring of school buses via the Smart Transportation Monitoring Center at Public Transport Agency. We have installed the system to 10 school buses at the start of the current academic year (2018-2019),” said Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency.

“This study aims to control the remote monitoring & inspection management by introducing artificial intelligence technology to all school buses operating in Dubai. The step will enhance the safety of students as well as roads & vehicles near school buses. It will also improve the quality of student transportation services onboard school buses to measure up to RTA’s strategies and vision of proving Safe & Smooth Transport for All.”

“The system will monitor the conduct of drivers, attendants and students onboard while the bus is in motion. It will remotely monitor the outer surrounding of the bus, identify the real-time location of the bus and figure out its operational conditions as well. The system will automatically record three traffic offences: overtaking the school bus from both sides when the Stop sign is opened, lack of buckling up the safety belt by the driver or riders, and failing to leave a sufficient distance between the bus and other vehicles,” he explained.

“The system also spots violations made by bus drivers, attendants and operators. Moreover, it contributes to the automation of some offences of Law No (2) regulating the school transport in Dubai. Examples of such violations include driving the school bus by an unlicensed person, operating any vehicle in school transport activities without a permit, and the failure to operate the electronic rod of the ‘Stop’ sign when the bus stops for picking up or dropping off students.

“RTA had rolled out this system last June when it invited a host of companies specialized in IT and smart monitoring solutions to develop the system. Consequently, five companies are now engaged in the implementation of this pilot project. Last August, and in coordination with several school bus operators, these companies installed cameras and communication devices on 10 school buses (5 large buses and 5 minibuses) on a trial base. RTA shared the smart technologies between the five companies (each one large bus and one minibus),” he further added.

“At the advent of this school year, RTA started the testing of the system on the ground. As per the set plan, the deliverables of this smart monitoring experiment will be ready by the end of the first semester of the current academic year. Accordingly, RTA will analyse all data retrieved from the ten buses to assess its efficiency and accuracy. It will then develop a timeline in coordination with the concerned parties and government entities to start the implementation of the system to all school buses registered in Dubai,” concluded Bahrozyan.