How Dubai is Using AI & Laser-Equipped Vehicles to Keep Roads Smooth & Safe

The Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) now surveys highways in real time to catch even the tiniest defects—potholes, cracks, and surface deformations—before they become hazards.

🔍 What the Technology Does

• Precision crack detection: The system can identify cracks as small as 1 mm, using high-resolution cameras, lasers, and infrared sensors.

• Multiple defect types: Beyond cracks, it detects more than a dozen types of road surface defects.

• Smoothness and rideability metrics: With tools like the International Roughness Index (IRI) and Pavement Quality Index (PQI), RTA ensures not just structural integrity but also driver comfort. 

🛠️ How It Works in Practice

• Inspection vehicles drive over major roads (e.g. Emirates Road) equipped with laser scanning, infrared cameras, and AI modules. 

• Data is collected continuously or at regular cycles. Engineers receive real-time reports with location, depth, severity of defects, helping prioritize repairs.

• Target benchmarks are maintained: many roads are held at PQI scores of 90% or more. Smoothness metrics are also rigorously met. 

🎯 Why It Matters

• Safety: Early detection of defects prevents accidents caused by potholes or road damage.

• Cost savings: Repairing small defects is far cheaper than overhauling badly damaged roads.

• Longevity: The infrastructure lasts longer when problems are addressed before they worsen.

• Efficiency and traffic flow: Minimal disruption because maintenance is targeted and timely.

🌍 Dubai as a Model for Smart Road Infrastructure

Dubai is positioning itself as a regional and global leader in infrastructure management. The adoption of this AI-laser inspection system sits alongside other smart city technologies, reinforcing Dubai’s reputation for innovation in transport and urban planning. 

Key Takeaways