AI-Powered Traffic Signal Management City Dubai, United Arab Emirates Technology AI, predictive analytics, and digital traffic control systems Use Case Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority is upgrading its UTC-UX Fusion traffic signal system to analyze traffic conditions and optimize signal timings across major intersections. The authority reported that the first phase improved traffic flow by 16% to 37% at upgraded intersections. Future Outlook Dubai plans to expand AI-driven traffic management and predictive control to improve intersection efficiency, reduce congestion, and coordinate traffic flows across its road network. Source: Dubai Roads and Transport Authority Autonomous Public Transportation City Shenzhen, China Technology Level 4 autonomous driving, 5G vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, and sensor fusion Use Case Shenzhen is deploying autonomous buses that combine AI-based driving decisions, high-precision positioning, smart dispatching, and connected road infrastructure. In the Qianhai district, autonomous buses operate on regular public transport routes, with technology designed to respond to traffic signals and changing road conditions. Future Outlook Expansion of autonomous public transport can improve route coverage, support more responsive bus scheduling, and connect with wider intelligent transport networks as deployment and safety validation progress. Source: Shenzhen Qianhai Authority Urban Digital Twins for Evidence-based City Planning City Barcelona, Spain Technology Urban digital twins and geospatial simulation Use Case Barcelona has worked with the Barcelona Supercomputing Center to develop a virtual representation of the city for assessing access to public facilities and transport. The model helps planners examine walking distances to metro stations, green spaces, healthcare facilities, and cycling infrastructure, and simulate how proposed transport projects could change accessibility. Future Outlook Integrating additional urban datasets into digital twins can help Barcelona evaluate infrastructure investments, test planning scenarios, and assess the potential effects of public policies before implementing them in the physical city. Source: Barcelona City Council Sensor Networks for Real-Time Urban Environmental Intelligence City Chicago, Illinois, US Technology Distributed urban sensing and edge computing Use Case Chicago's Array of Things initiative deployed programmable sensor nodes to measure environmental conditions, including air quality, temperature, noise, and pedestrian and vehicle activity. The data supports research into neighborhood pollution, traffic safety, urban heat, and flooding Future Outlook Urban-sensing project deployment will provide more localized environmental data to support climate adaptation, public-health research, and infrastructure planning. Source: Array of Things Electric Public Transport and Smart Mobility Infrastructure City Kigali, Rwanda Technology Electric buses and dedicated charging infrastructure Use Case Kigali is integrating electric buses into its public transport network to reduce transport-related emissions and support more sustainable urban mobility. In October 2026, the African Development Bank reported a project to procure 34 electric buses and four charging units, using an existing depot in Gahanga as the first-phase charging facility. Future Outlook The planned fleet expansion and charging infrastructure can support wider electrification of Kigali's public transport system, while reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Source: African Development Bank and Rwanda e-mobility Project Share this article