Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has begun piloting artificial intelligence (AI) technology to detect smoking inside taxis using in-car cameras. The initiative, announced on Monday, aligns with the UAE’s public transportation regulations, which prohibit smoking in all forms of public transit. While details about the specific technology have not been disclosed, the move is part of broader efforts to improve taxi services across the emirate.
In addition to the AI smoking detection system, the RTA has introduced a pilot project to deploy high-quality air fresheners in over 500 airport taxis. The authority aims to enhance passenger experience while maintaining strict cleanliness standards in the fleet.
Adel Shakri, director of Planning and Business Development at the Public Transport Agency, outlined other initiatives designed to raise the bar for service quality. These include intensifying inspection campaigns to ensure vehicle cleanliness and rolling out comprehensive awareness and training programs for drivers and instructors at taxi companies and driving schools.
To monitor progress, the RTA will implement a monthly operational index in 2025. This index will measure vehicle and driver cleanliness while tracking cleanliness-related feedback from every 100,000 Hala Taxi trips. The authority will also conduct customer satisfaction surveys and mystery shopper evaluations twice a year starting next year, focusing on both driver behavior and vehicle hygiene.
The RTA’s measures are part of a larger strategy to modernize Dubai's public transport network and ensure a high-quality experience for all passengers. The pilot phases, combined with semi-annual assessments, are expected to set new benchmarks for service standards in the region.