Dynamic message signs cut travel times by 20% on Dubai roads

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) says its Dynamic Message Signs system has become a key tool in making travel across the emirate safer and more efficient.

The real-time electronic signs have helped cut travel times by up to 20 per cent on key corridors, while improving safety by giving drivers early warnings about accidents, traffic congestion and weather conditions.

The RTA currently operates 112 of these signs across Dubai’s main road network, all linked to the iTraffic system at the Intelligent Traffic Systems Centre.

Salah Al Marzouqi, Director of Intelligent Traffic Systems at the RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency, explained that the system issues a sequence of alerts based on the location of an incident.

Messages begin up to two kilometres before an accident site, followed by congestion warnings closer to the area, and guidance messages further away to help redirect traffic and reduce the risk of secondary collisions.

He added that Dynamic Message Signs are one of the RTA’s most important real-time communication tools, used to share alerts about accidents, breakdowns, diversions, major events and road safety campaigns.

During the first half of 2025 alone, more than 17,800 messages were displayed across the network, most of them related to traffic accidents, congestion and safety warnings.

The system is also fully integrated with sensors that monitor traffic speed, volume, travel times and weather conditions.

Using artificial intelligence, the iTraffic platform analyses this data to trigger rapid response plans, which can be activated automatically during emergencies such as heavy rain or fog.

#RTA announced that the Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) system has become a cornerstone in making mobility across Dubai smoother and safer. Real-time messages displayed on the signs have contributed to reducing travel times by up to 20% on key corridors, while also enhancing road…

— RTA (@rta_dubai) December 25, 2025