Some of Dubai’s busiest malls are set to introduce AI-powered parking enforcement to address the misuse of spaces reserved for People of Determination (PoD).

Parkin Company has signed a multi-year agreement with Emaar Properties to roll out the system across Dubai Mall, Dubai Hills Mall and Dubai Marina Mall.

The move aims to protect dedicated parking bays, improve compliance, and ease congestion at high-traffic retail destinations frequently visited by residents and tourists.

How the tech works

The system uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to monitor vehicles entering PoD-designated spaces.

Number plates are scanned and checked against valid permits. If no permit is found, the case is flagged for review at a central control centre. Drivers may face penalties, although a short grace period will allow time to move vehicles in case of mistakes.

On-ground inspections will continue alongside the new technology to ensure compliance with parking rules.

At Dubai Mall, parking systems are already integrated with Salik Company technology, including ticketless entry, number plate recognition, and automatic fee collection.

Stricter parking rules

For shoppers and mall visitors, the change means stricter enforcement of PoD parking rules to ensure these spaces remain available for those who genuinely need them.

It also signals a wider shift towards smart city solutions in Dubai, where AI is increasingly used to improve everyday services, from traffic flow to parking management, while enhancing accessibility and fairness.

Motorists in Abu Dhabi will see changes to their daily commute, as two new toll gates were activated today.

The move, announced by the Integrated Transport Centre, is part of ongoing efforts to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow across key routes in the emirate.

The new toll points will be located on Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Road in Ghantoot and on Karama Oasis Road at the entry and exit of Sheikh Zayed Road, areas identified through traffic studies as high-density corridors.

Dh4 per crossing

Drivers passing through these gates will be charged Dh4 per crossing, in line with existing toll rules. The system will operate 24/7, with current exemptions continuing for eligible groups, including senior citizens, People of Determination, low-income residents, and retired Emiratis.

To help motorists plan their journeys, authorities have also highlighted alternative routes. Drivers can divert via Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Road or Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, while those travelling through Ghantoot can use Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Road.

What it means for drivers

For residents and expats, the new toll gates may mean slightly higher commuting costs, but they are designed to improve travel times and reduce bottlenecks, especially during peak hours.

Officials say the rollout reflects Abu Dhabi’s broader strategy to support urban growth and manage increasing traffic volumes, with the impact of the new gates set to be reviewed regularly.

The Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai indicated that passport services, disrupted due to technical issues, are expected to resume on Monday, May 4.

The suspension, announced earlier this week by Pakistan’s missions in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, stems from a major technical glitch that affected systems across multiple countries. Officials confirmed that all in-person processing would remain halted until further notice.

Roughly 800 to 1,000 expats rely on the consulate and embassy every day. That’s a huge volume, and delays have hit people needing passport renewals, visa processing, and residency-related paperwork. For several residents, it has directly affected their travel plans, legal status, and employment.

To ease the impact, missions have advised Pakistani citizens to use the online passport application system for renewals and new requests where possible. Those unable to access digital services are asked to wait for further guidance until operations are restored.