Abu Dhabi Uses AI to Map Real-Time Exposure to Traffic Pollution
New AI Systems Help Abu Dhabi Link Vehicle Emissions to Pollution Experienced by Pedestrians
Abu Dhabi is expanding its use of artificial intelligence to better understand how traffic-related pollution affects people as they move through the city.
The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Senseable City Lab, has developed two AI-based tools that examine different sides of the urban pollution problem.
The first, Exposure AI, focuses on pedestrian exposure to traffic emissions, while Emission AI uses dashcam footage and artificial intelligence to estimate emissions from individual vehicles.
Together, the technologies are designed to provide planners with more detailed information about the relationship between traffic, emissions and people's exposure on city streets.
Moving beyond fixed air-quality stations
Traditional air-quality monitoring relies heavily on sensors installed at specific locations. These systems can provide valuable readings, but they represent conditions at particular points in the city.
Exposure AI takes a more people-focused approach by examining how exposure changes as pedestrians move through different areas.
This can help create a more detailed picture of traffic-related pollution along streets and routes rather than limiting analysis to readings from fixed monitoring locations.
AI examines vehicle emissions
Emission AI addresses the source side of the equation.
The system analyses dashcam footage using artificial intelligence to estimate emissions from vehicles. This can help researchers and urban planners examine differences between roads, traffic conditions and vehicle activity.
Combining the two approaches could give Abu Dhabi a clearer understanding of where traffic emissions are generated and where pedestrians may experience greater exposure.
Abu Dhabi and MIT expand urban research
The technology forms part of a broader partnership between DMT and MIT's Senseable City Lab.
The two sides renewed their collaboration at LIVEX 2026, with the agreement expanding research under the DMT Future Hub. The partnership builds on work that began in 2024 and covers areas including traffic emissions, pedestrian exposure, urban heat and mobility.
The collaboration has also contributed to academic research. A study involving Abu Dhabi data on estimating vehicle emissions through deep learning and video analysis was published in Communications Engineering in September 2026. An earlier framework examining traffic-emission estimation and policy evaluation appeared in Nature Sustainability in April 2026, with DMT acknowledged as a consortium supporter.
AI could also guide future urban projects
The expanded partnership goes beyond air pollution.
Two proposed initiatives, Trees in My Backyard and Re-Leaf, are intended to explore how AI and data can help guide tree selection and planting in areas where additional greenery could address heat and environmental conditions.
Another proposed project, Stellar Oasis, will examine ways to reduce light pollution and improve visibility of the night sky.
These projects form part of Abu Dhabi's wider effort to apply data and emerging technologies to urban planning and public spaces.
Technology becomes part of Abu Dhabi's smart-city strategy
The development of Exposure AI and Emission AI reflects a broader shift toward using real-world data to understand how people experience cities.
By connecting information about vehicle emissions with pedestrian exposure, Abu Dhabi's researchers and planners can build a more detailed evidence base for studying traffic pollution and urban conditions.
The expanded DMT-MIT partnership is expected to continue this research while exploring additional applications of artificial intelligence in the planning and management of Abu Dhabi's urban environment.
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