The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has announced that it will roll out over 500 state-of-the-art vehicles before the end of the year, aimed at further enhancing the overall cleanliness across Abu Dhabi.
The environmentally conscious fleet will include a variety of purpose-built equipment such as automated street sweepers and washers, heavy equipment vehicles, and water tankers, as well as beach and shore cleaning boats. Collectively, they are expected to cut carbon emissions by up to 40 per cent, the equivalent of approximately 1,775 tonnes of CO₂ annually.
In line with DMT’s commitment to technological innovation, all vehicles will feature Internet of Things (IoT) integration to support intelligent and connected operations. Moreover, designated units will be equipped with high-resolution 360-degree cameras to improve operational visibility, while select ones will feature advanced AI-powered edge scanners capable of detecting various types of waste, identifying compliance issues, and spotting infrastructure anomalies, with all findings accurately mapped using geolocation data.
The featured system will be seamlessly integrated with DMT’s Public Cleanliness Platform to optimise cleaning crew allocation, enhance asset oversight, and reduce reliance on manual inspections.
As part of a pilot phase, the department will incorporate the AI technology on 10 vehicles from its existing fleet. These will be deployed in targeted areas across Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafra, followed by Al Ain and the wider emirate, with implementation across the new vehicles to be completed in time for their introduction.
Rashid Al Kaabi, Acting Executive Director of Operations Support Sector at the DMT, said: "The new fleet reflects our dedication to delivering innovative and eco-friendly cleanliness solutions that reinforce the emirate’s position as a global leader in public services, liveability standards, and smart-city technologies.”
The announcement come months after the UAE capital was ranked 5th globally in the IMD Smart City Index – moving five positions from 10th in 2024.
