More than 200 smart LED lights have been installed on the Dubai Canal bridges, with more planned in the near future, said the local Railway and Transportation Authority (RTA) recently.

The smart LED lights will be able to save more than 50% of energy consumption compared to normal lamp posts, and reduce carbon emissions, said Salem Al Rimawi, Roads, Lighting and Traffic Signal manager.

 “The lighting units have a remote control and monitoring system that reduces the cost of operations and maintenance,” Al Rimawi said at Gitex Technology Week, explaining the lights send data wirelessly to a central control room, so no physical inspection is required, and hence reduces maintenance costs.

 “When there is an issue the system will alert us. We will send someone, but there is no need for routine visits,” he said.

The intensity of the lighting can also be controlled remotely when needed to help the lights conserve energy, and the lights rolled out across Dubai is aimed at transforming all the light poles in Dubai with smart LED lighting by 2030 to reduce carbon emissions by more than 3,000 tonnes per year.

Additional features can be added to the smart LED lights, said Al Rimawi. “We can add a WiFi hotspot and cameras to count the people in the area.”

RTA has swapped more than 5,000 normal lamps with LEDs.