More than 500 smart vehicles are transforming waste management, cutting CO₂ emissions by 1,775 tonnes annually.
Abu Dhabi: Six months after launching its smart fleet to enhance public cleanliness services across the emirate, the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has reported notable gains in service efficiency.
The improvements have been driven by the deployment of more than 500 advanced vehicles powered by artificial intelligence and integrated digital connectivity, reflecting Abu Dhabi’s commitment to innovative and sustainable solutions.
The department said the fully integrated digital fleet, operating across more than 36,000 square kilometres, is carrying out around 50,000 tasks daily. Equipped with real-time tracking systems, advanced operational data, and 360-degree smart cameras, the fleet has improved management efficiency and significantly sped up field response times.
DMT added that the smart fleet has achieved a 40% reduction in carbon emissions, cutting levels from 13,401 tonnes in 2024 to 9,537 tonnes in 2025—equivalent to an annual reduction rate of 29%.
Strengthening Abu Dhabi’s climate action efforts
This environmental impact is equivalent to the carbon absorption capacity of around 175,000 trees, underscoring the emirate’s push to combat climate change and advance environmental sustainability.
In a related development, the department noted that the fleet’s resource management system has delivered strong results, with 94% of waste diverted from landfills, full recycling of maintenance oils, and recovery of up to 22% of resource value. These outcomes support circular economy principles and enhance overall resource efficiency.
Smart technologies for waste detection and fuel reduction
DMT said the integration of smart technologies across the fleet has enhanced operational planning and enabled proactive monitoring of waste and compliance violations. This has helped improve quality of life by reducing fuel consumption, speeding up response times, and raising cleanliness standards across streets and public spaces.
The department added that these results mark the success of the first operational phase of the smart fleet, reaffirming plans to further expand the use of artificial intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies across municipal services. The move is expected to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position among leading global smart cities while improving the efficiency and quality of government services.
500 eco-friendly vehicles cut emissions
Ahead of the end of 2025, DMT deployed more than 500 environmentally friendly vehicles to support public cleanliness services across the emirate. The fleet includes specialised units for mechanical street sweeping and washing, heavy equipment, water tankers, and boats for cleaning beaches and coastlines.
During its operation, the fleet reduced carbon emissions by up to 40%, equivalent to around 1,775 tonnes of CO₂ annually.
Advanced systems and high-resolution cameras
The vehicles are equipped with advanced IoT-enabled systems to ensure efficient coordination of cleaning operations. These include high-resolution 360-degree cameras, while some vehicles feature AI-powered scanning sensors capable of identifying waste types, detecting violations, and spotting infrastructure damage, with precise location tracking through geospatial data.
These systems are directly integrated with DMT’s public cleanliness platform, enabling more efficient workforce allocation, improved asset monitoring, and reduced reliance on manual inspections—resulting in higher levels of operational efficiency across municipal services.
During the pilot phase, AI technologies were deployed on 10 vehicles across selected areas of Abu Dhabi City and Al Dhafra Region, with plans to expand to Al Ain and the rest of the emirate as part of a phased rollout.
The initiative follows Abu Dhabi’s rise to fifth place globally in the Smart City Index issued by the International Institute for Management Development, climbing five positions from tenth in 2024.
