Preparing a high-tech public transport system is a key milestone for aspiring smart cities of the Middle East, considering the number of people these futuristic spaces will attract. As of now smart buses are being tested in Abu Dhabi and a super-fast hyperloop network is in the works for Dubai.

But till the time those innovations right out of sci-fi flicks become a part of the region's daily commute, UAE's existing infrastructure is being ramped up with the latest tech on offer. After making news for a system to predict traffic snarls and AI to plan bus routes, Dubai's transport authority has unveiled a massive, tech-savvy bus station in the city.

The model stop-over will have a multi-level parking system for 350 vehicles, along with office spaces for emerging startups and digital services, to handle 10,000 passengers every day. Its tech tools will include a self-service kiosk, coupled with digital displays for information on buses and routes for planning trips.

To add to this, machines have been installed for electronic transactions conducted via nol cards, apart from systems facilitating other e-payment options as well. In a bid to constantly measure and improve the quality of public services, a mechanism to take stock of customer happiness index is also in place at the newly opened bus station.

But the tech-equipped facility isn't the only recent innovation from RTA, which has also introduced an AI powered search engine for officials to access knowhow about norms. The legal information platform will read a situation, and find the relevant text for employees, thanks to natural language processing and machine learning algorithms.

The search engine designed for reducing time taken to deliver accurate knowledge, is in line with a larger migration towards smart tech initiated by the RTA.

Dubai's transport body has been consistent in integration of digital services to increase efficiency, and its efforts were recently recognised by Harvard as well.