Abu Dhabi, 19th March 2014 (WAM) - In accordance with the Surface Transport Master Plan (STMP), the Department of Transport (DoT) in Abu Dhabi announced today the completion of the Integrated Transport Information and Navigation System (i-TINS) and the launch of the first version of the "Darb Mobile" application for smart phones.

i-TINS works through the collection of real-time data from different sources ? road side systems such as traffic counting systems and travel time measurement systems and central sub-systems such as Taxi and Buses GPS-based tracking systems. Data is then analysed and processed to ensure its accuracy and made available to the transport system users in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Through i-TINS the system users are now able to estimate their travel times, learn of the locations of traffic incidents and congestions to help them plan their trips effectively and reach their destinations in the quickest and easiest means. I-TINS also has the ability to provide public transport users with the exact locations of bus stations and stops, real-time bus schedules, ferry routes and timetables.

Through strategic partnerships, i-TINS is integrated with other advanced information and service systems such as utilizing the Abu Dhabi Systems and Information Centre (ADSIC) latest Geographic Information System (GIS) maps; as well as Abu Dhabi Airports information system providing real-time flight arrivals and departures, operating airlines, direction to terminals and real-time parking availability information and other airport services.

In addition, i-TINS through its gate "Darb" offers various other smart services such as booking a taxi, paying for parking and selecting to receive general or specific notifications about traffic incidents.

Commenting on this news, Engineer Salah Mohamed Al Marzouqi, Director of Integrated Intelligent Transportation Systems (IITS) Division, said "The main objective of the i-TINS project is to make available to the public reliable, interactive and real-time information on the road network and public transport modes. The DoT has designed, developed, installed and tested the system to ensure optimal performance, and we are now training a team of UAE nationals to operate and manage the system.""Darb" mobile application is one of the main products of the i-TINS project which will be available free-of-cost in the online stores of the "IOS" and "Android" platforms. For optimal use of the application it is required that the smart phones has a built-in Global Positioning System (GPS) and connected to the internet.

In addition, the Department of Transport has developed new and interactive features to the existing "Darb" website to provide real-time traffic updates and incident information on the road network.

The DoT is currently coordinating with navigation service providers to integrate i-TINS information with the In-Car Satellite Navigation Systems.

Moreover, i-TINS provides an engineering dashboard for the transportation and traffic specialists within the DoT through the GeoTrans platform for Key Performance Indicators and Planning needs.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2014.