Dubai plans to introduce an intelligent monitoring system for delivery motorcycles, requiring companies to install trackers and connect their fleets to the platform starting in the second half of 2027.
This step is part of the authorities' efforts to enhance road safety and regulate the rapidly growing delivery sector in the emirate. The integrated system, being implemented by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai, will utilize Internet of Things (IoT) based devices, advanced cameras, and a smart digital platform to monitor driver behavior, including speeding, sudden acceleration, and harsh braking.
The installation of devices and connection to the platform will remain voluntary until the end of the first half of 2027, giving delivery services time to prepare their fleets and systems. Compliance with the requirements will become mandatory after the transition period ends.
This measure is expected to provide authorities with a more comprehensive picture of how delivery motorcycles operate on Dubai's roads, and it will also help companies identify risky driving habits and take corrective measures before they lead to accidents.
Saeed Al Ramsi, Director of Licensing Monitoring at RTA, characterized this initiative as a significant change in the methods of controlling delivery operations. He noted that the new system represents a major leap in monitoring delivery activities, encompassing a digital platform, IoT-based monitoring devices, and cameras installed on delivery motorcycles.
The technology will collect and analyze data on various aspects of driving style, such as speed, acceleration, braking, driving manner, and routes. According to Al Ramsi, this will allow for tracking operational efficiency and detecting unsafe practices with greater accuracy and effectiveness.
In addition to tracking individual trips, the platform is designed to assist delivery services in managing their fleets more effectively by providing real-time information. This data will enable companies to identify patterns in driver behavior, assess performance, and use evidence-based metrics to improve training programs and raise road safety awareness.
Al Ramsi emphasized that this initiative marks a shift towards a more proactive approach in regulating delivery operations, supported by technology and inter-agency cooperation. He added that the system reflects RTA's shift from traditional control to proactive oversight based on data and smart analytics, which is the result of collaboration with the Dubai Police Headquarters and other relevant bodies to create an integrated system balancing operational efficiency with safety and compliance requirements.
For delivery operators, the system can also offer a practical way to identify issues within their fleets instead of relying solely on traditional supervision. Al Ramsi concluded that by providing companies with practical tools to monitor the performance of their fleets and drivers in real-time, the system will enable them to take timely corrective action and improve safety and service levels in this vital sector.
The initial voluntary phase is intended to give operators sufficient time to complete the technical and operational preparations necessary to connect their motorcycles to the platform. During this period, RTA will coordinate with delivery companies and other stakeholders to support their readiness and facilitate implementation.
The authority stated that the system will also create an integrated operational database that can aid in shaping future regulatory policies, strengthening field monitoring, and encouraging safer and more sustainable practices in the sector. Al Ramsi stressed that technology alone will not be enough to achieve the planned improvements; regulators, companies, and drivers themselves must play their part.
This initiative comes against the backdrop of the increasing visibility of delivery services in daily life in Dubai, where motorcycles circulate through residential areas, commercial zones, and main roads. By combining real-time monitoring with fleet management tools, RTA aims to increase operator accountability, strengthen adherence to traffic laws, and raise safety standards for delivery drivers and other road users.
