Dubai’s RTA saves cost and time, reduces breakdown rates through use of 3D printing for road maintenance

During the past few months, RTA has conducted various studies and experiments to increase the availability of spare parts for roads maintenance systems, in cooperation with specialist 3D printing companies.

The CEO of the Traffic and Roads Agency at the RTA, Maitha bin Adai, said: “The initiative has proved to be successful in extending the sources of spare parts such as propeller fans, control equipment, and cladding for tunnel walls in Dubai’s road facilities.”

As part of the initiative, selected types of spare parts were chosen to be 3D printed, based on specific criteria such as the lack of spare parts in local markets, while taking safety measures into consideration.

Commenting on the benefits, Maitha bin Adai added: “The initial results of implementing the 3D printing technology revealed 50 percent savings in the operational cost of purchasing spare parts.

“The 3D printing technology also contributed to reducing the cost of transportation and the time needed to import spare parts to Dubai. Additional improvements were introduced on the factory-based spare parts on account of historical data analysis, which reduced breakdown rates to record-low levels.”

The CEO of the Traffic and Roads Agency at the RTA also underlined the importance of keeping pace with modern technologies and systems in the operational plans and programmes of RTA.

This is in line with the Dubai Government’s objectives to use 3D printing for the manufacture of spare parts.

In the early stages of the initiative, the Traffic and Roads Agency cooperated with three leading companies in 3D printing in manufacturing to develop plans and studies to improve spare parts manufacturing processes. The RTA also ensures their efficiency, as required, before being used in service in road maintenance and facilities in Dubai.