RTA, UN Experts Cooperate on Big Data, AI

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) recently declared a collaboration with the United Nations Committee of Experts on Big Data and Data Science. This joint initiative focuses on advancing big data, artificial intelligence, and data science and signifies a crucial stride in the ongoing partnership between the two entities. The primary objective is to exchange knowledge and experiences with the aim of enhancing the efficiency of transport services and other public offerings by the RTA.

The collaboration seeks to facilitate the RTA’s data-driven transformation, aiming to improve decision-making and provide reliable data accessibility on both local and global scales. Within the RTA, nine teams have been established to address challenges related to methodology, quality, technology, data access, legislation, and privacy. These teams are also tasked with conducting cost-benefit analyses using big data.

Mohammed Al Mudharreb, CEO of RTA’s Corporate Technology Support Services Sector, underscored the significance of this collaboration. He emphasized RTA’s commitment to advancing its data capabilities, recognizing their pivotal role in modern technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. Al Mudharreb also highlighted RTA’s active role within the UN Committee of Experts on Big Data and Data Science, participating in critical working groups focusing on areas like transportation statistics and skills development.

The partnership aligns seamlessly with RTA’s vision to become a data-driven entity, contributing to the UAE’s objectives of enhancing digital government services. Through the utilization of mobile phone data, capacity building, and international collaboration, RTA aims to be a leader in transportation innovation, not only within the UAE but also across the Middle East and North Africa.

Stefan Schweinfest, Director of the Statistics Division at the United Nations, expressed anticipation of fruitful cooperation with RTA in developing data-driven public policies for sustainable transportation. He highlighted the potential contributions of RTA to the collaboration with the Regional Hub for Big Data in the UAE, focusing on building capabilities in big data, artificial intelligence, and data science for the statistical community in the Middle East and North Africa.

The United Nations Committee of Experts on Big Data and Data Science, comprising representatives from around 31 countries and 16 international organizations, is dedicated to developing and sharing modern methods, technologies, and best practices in data science and big data. This collaboration aims to leverage new data sources and innovative methods for advancing data science on a global scale.