Post by : Bianca
Haleem
Abu Dhabi is moving to expand its cleaning capacity. The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has confirmed plans to introduce more than 500 modern cleaning vehicles before year-end to enhance public hygiene and cut environmental impact.
The new fleet, prioritising sustainability, will include automated street sweepers, high-pressure washers, heavy-duty units, water tankers and boats for beach maintenance. DMT expects the programme to lower carbon emissions by up to 40 per cent — about 1,775 tonnes of CO₂ each year.
All vehicles will be linked through Internet of Things (IoT) technology, enabling live tracking, optimized route planning and coordinated crew operations. Some units will feature 360-degree cameras to improve oversight, while others will carry AI-powered scanners able to classify waste, detect violations and map incidents using geolocation data.
Data from the vehicles will be integrated with DMT’s Public Cleanliness Platform to improve crew allocation and asset monitoring, reducing the reliance on manual inspections.
As a first step, DMT will pilot AI systems on 10 existing vehicles. These retrofit units will operate across Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafra, before expanding to Al Ain and other parts of the emirate. Full implementation across the new fleet will coincide with the official launch.
The initiative follows Abu Dhabi’s rise to fifth place in the IMD Smart City Index, underscoring the capital’s increased focus on sustainability and urban innovation.
By combining advanced technology with environmental targets, the emirate seeks to raise standards for clean, connected and sustainable urban services.
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