As the new school year begins, the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) in Abu Dhabi has announced a wide range of safety measures to protect students and improve traffic flow around schools. These plans combine better infrastructure, strict regulations, and new awareness programmes to make sure children have a safe and smooth journey to and from school every day.

Detailed Studies and Planning for Safer Schools

The ITC said that it carried out careful studies for more than 60 schools across Abu Dhabi. These studies included on-site visits, surveys, and direct meetings with school principals and staff. The goal was to understand the unique traffic and safety problems at each school.

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Every school area is different. Some schools face problems with too many cars, while others struggle with buses not having enough space to park. Some schools also deal with unsafe crossing areas for students. By listening to schools and parents, the ITC was able to design customised transport improvement plans that fit the needs of each school.

Infrastructure Upgrades Around Schools

After finishing the studies, the ITC introduced several infrastructure upgrades:

• More Parking Spaces: Extra bus and car parking areas were added to reduce crowding.

• Redesigned Traffic Flow: Entry and exit routes around schools were changed to stop traffic jams during peak hours.

• New Safety Features: Extra signs, barriers, and pedestrian crossings were introduced to protect students.

These changes were designed not just for buses and private cars but also for pedestrians and nearby road users.

Stronger Monitoring for Congested Schools

To prepare for the 2025–26 academic year, the ITC will deploy special inspection teams at schools that face heavy congestion. These teams will monitor school entrances during busy hours and guide traffic to make sure everything runs smoothly.

By doing this, the ITC wants to avoid the stressful traffic jams that often happen when hundreds of parents drop off or pick up their children at the same time.

New Technical Standards for School Buses

The ITC also announced new safety standards for school buses. One of the most important changes is the requirement for an extra “STOP” sign on larger buses that carry more than 40 students.

This feature is meant to alert other drivers on the road that children are getting on or off the bus, making it safer for them to cross. Regular inspections will also continue to check that every bus follows safety rules.

Focus on Student Awareness and Education

The ITC explained that its safety plan is based on two main pillars:

1. Raising student awareness about road and transport safety

2. Improving school-area infrastructure

To support the first pillar, the ITC, along with Abu Dhabi Police and schools, is running awareness campaigns for students. These campaigns include fun and interactive sessions where children learn:

• How to get on and off buses safely

• Why seat belts are important

• How to cross roads carefully

• Why it is dangerous to play near traffic

Last year, more than 900 students took part in these sessions. For the new academic year, the ITC will expand the programme to cover even more schools in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra.

Training for Bus Operators and Drivers

Safety does not depend only on students. The ITC is also making sure that bus drivers, operators, and supervisors are well-trained. Workshops are being organised to teach them how to handle different situations, such as emergencies, traffic jams, and student behaviour.

By training adults who are responsible for school transport, the ITC ensures that safety is followed at every level.

Salama Smart App for School Transport

To make monitoring easier, the ITC has introduced the Salama smart app, which is part of a unified school transport management system. This app helps parents, schools, and authorities track buses, monitor schedules, and improve overall safety.

The app is designed to keep parents informed and give schools better control over daily transport operations.

A Safer Journey for Everyone

The ITC stressed that the goal of these new measures is not only to protect students but also to create a better travel experience for all road users. Parents in private cars, passengers in school buses, and even pedestrians near school zones will benefit from these improvements.

By combining infrastructure changes, strict rules, and strong awareness programmes, Abu Dhabi is working to ensure that every child’s journey to school is safe and smooth.

Why This Matters

School transport safety is one of the most important concerns for parents and authorities. Traffic congestion near schools can lead to accidents, stress, and delays. By taking early action before the 2025–26 school year, the ITC is showing that student safety is a top priority.

With cooperation between schools, police, parents, and government authorities, Abu Dhabi is setting an example for how cities can balance education needs and road safety.

The new school year brings excitement for children, but it also brings the challenge of handling busy traffic around schools. With its detailed studies, safety upgrades, new bus standards, training workshops, and student awareness campaigns, Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre is building a stronger and safer transport system for students.

This initiative ensures that children not only reach school on time but also return home safely every day. It shows that Abu Dhabi is investing in both the present safety of students and the future confidence of parents who trust the system.