The Dubai Metro Blue Line is set to benefit from new artificial intelligence and smart transport technologies following strategic partnerships between Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and two leading Chinese companies. During an official visit to China, RTA signed agreements with Huawei Technologies and rail signalling specialist CASCO SIGNAL LTD. to support the next generation of Dubai’s metro network.
The partnerships form part of Dubai’s wider strategy to integrate AI, digital infrastructure, and smart mobility solutions into public transport. The delegation, led by Mattar Al Tayer, also visited transport authorities and technology companies in China to study how AI is being used to manage large-scale urban transport systems.
AI research and smarter metro operations
As part of the agreement, CASCO SIGNAL will establish an advanced research and development centre and innovation laboratory in Dubai. The facility will support the Dubai Metro Blue Line and future rail projects by testing signalling and communications systems before they are introduced across the network.
The centre will also research AI-powered scheduling, predictive maintenance, smart operations, and asset management. RTA says these technologies will help improve efficiency, reduce operational disruptions, and strengthen Dubai’s expertise in railway innovation.
Huawei partnership to strengthen smart mobility
The second agreement focuses on expanding AI across Dubai’s transport network through a partnership with Huawei Technologies. Areas of collaboration include smart city applications, digital infrastructure, intelligent transport systems, and information security.
The companies will explore AI-powered incident detection, intelligent traffic management, unified transport data platforms, and smarter control centres. They will also study AI-enabled monitoring for metro operations, station management, and passenger services.
During the visit, the RTA delegation also toured advanced transport facilities in Shanghai, including the city’s transport command centre and the Shanghai Maglev, while learning about China’s “15-minute city” planning model.
According to RTA, the partnerships will help accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies and support Dubai’s ambition to remain a global leader in smart, efficient, and sustainable mobility.
