In its efforts to solve the parking problems in the Emirate, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai has introduced a fully computerized parking system using PDAs to issue fines. Every warden in Dubai will now be issuing parking fines using this device.
The PDA is a hand held computerized device that uses combo-box menu which will reduce error ratio. The data will be directly entered into the device and the ticket will be issued. With the introduction of the PDA system no inspector will be able to issue parking fines within 10-minutes of expiry of parking time. This will give every motorist a 10-minute grace period in the paid parking zone.
Engineer Mehdi Ali Redha, Director of Parking, RTA said, "This computerized system has been introduced to solve the parking problem in Dubai and organize the parking system. All the inspectors have been instructed to use the PDAs to issue fines and eliminate errors. With the introduction of these devices no longer manually will the data need to be fed at the end of the day."
"The warden has to put the device in a slot at the end of his duty and all the data is automatically transferred to the main system. This system is being monitored and if it performs as expected a system of paying parking fines through mobile phones will be introduced.
The 10-minute grace period will not be given for illegal parking which includes parking of vehicles reserved for the disabled, double parking, buses-lay-bys, yellow boxes, loading and unloading areas, parking on footpaths and parking which blocks public parking. Membership cards can also avail of the PDA facility.