Dubai's Innovative Clean with Drone Technology

Drones to Clean Dubai Metro and Tram Facades – Efficiency, Safety, and Sustainability Hand in Hand

Dubai has once again proven its leadership in smart urban solutions: the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced the deployment of drones to clean the facades of Dubai Metro and tram stations. The initiative aims not only at innovation but also at optimizing the workforce, enhancing safety, and reducing environmental impact.

A New Era in Urban Maintenance

In a joint project between the RTA and Dubai Metro operator Keolis MHI, drones equipped with cleaning tools fly over the facades of metro and tram stations, removing dust, dirt, and other residues. Compared to traditional methods, this new technology offers a significant advantage: while cleaning a station previously required a team of up to 15, the drone solution only needs an eight-member team—a more than 50% reduction in the required workforce.

Advantages of the Technology

The new system is not only more efficient but also safer. With drones, the risk of workers having to perform work at heights is minimized, as machines can easily reach difficult areas. Additionally, the technology consumes less water, contributing to the city's sustainability goals.

Human Labor Not Disappearing

The RTA emphasized that the drone solution does not completely replace human labor. The aim is to develop a hybrid model combining traditional and new technologies. Drones are ideal for general cleaning, while removing finer details and less noticeable dirt may still require human intervention.

A Forward-Looking Experiment

This pilot not only represents a new level of urban infrastructure maintenance but also marks an important step towards Dubai's goal of establishing a smart and sustainable transport system. The project aligns with the city's long-term strategy, which prioritizes innovation, efficiency, and environmental protection.

The RTA and Keolis MHI continually evaluate the outcomes and are looking for opportunities to further refine the methods. The future goal is to develop an integrated system that achieves a perfect balance of sustainability, efficiency, and operational reliability.

(The source of the article is a press release from Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).)