The Roads and Transport Authority, RTA, in Dubai has unveiled new updates to the Smart Drive app offering smart navigation in Dubai.
The app uses GPS technology to guide motorists in route without requiring internet connection on portable devices. It provides accurate instant information about the traffic condition in Dubai thanks to the interface with 'Makani' app of the Dubai Municipality. These updates have been introduced as part of the Smart City initiative of the government and in implementation of the first strategic goal of the RTA, Smart Dubai, and its vision of safe and smooth transport for all.
Maitha bin Adai, CEO of Traffic and Roads Agency at RTA, said, "The user interface of Smart Drive app has been revamped where additional search features have been added enabling users to specify their locations more accurately. The process is assisted by new icons giving more details to the roads traffic condition, and the use of Makani app addressing system’s code on the application map."
"Since launching 2014, the app has been downloaded by three million users. It boasts of several additional features mainly, displaying landmarks more attractively and interactively, updating the UAE map, and displaying the locations of metro and tram stations, bus stations, water transit stations, and parking areas in Dubai. It also alerts motorists about the maximum speed, traffic conditions on Dubai roads in addition to other high tech features that make motorists journeys in Dubai safe and smooth," added Maitha.
"Features of the app include payment of parking fee, defining the zones of paid parking areas, enabling Salik top-up, showing maps using 2D or 3D display to fit different types of smart devices, displaying UAE landmarks in 3D mode. The app enables the user to select the languages, Arabic or English, and offers bilingual voice command, smooth surfing and the use of location search engines. Users of the Operating System of smartphones, iOS and Android, have rated the Smart Drive app as 4.5 stars out of a five–star rating," Maitha concluded.