Lowering the temperature of the holy sites by 15 degrees: Cooling technology to serve pilgrims
The Saudi General Authority for Roads announced an innovative step aimed at improving the Hajj experience for pilgrims, having begun implementing road cooling technology at the stations of the Holy Sites Train. This strategic initiative is part of the early and intensive preparations for the 1447 AH Hajj season and includes three vital sites with a total area of approximately 14,000 square meters, in a serious effort to enhance comfort and facilitate the movement of pilgrims.
How road cooling technology works
The authority explained that this modern technology contributes directly and effectively to reducing the road surface temperature by approximately 15 degrees Celsius. This environmental innovation relies on the use of advanced coating materials and modern engineering techniques that minimize heat absorption and reflect solar radiation. This positive measure improves the surrounding environment at transportation hubs and in high-traffic pedestrian areas, providing a cooler and more comfortable atmosphere for pilgrims during their rituals.
General context and history of the development of the holy sites
Historically, the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has placed great importance on developing the infrastructure of the Holy Sites (Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat). With the Hajj season coinciding in recent years with the intense summer months, the need for sustainable solutions to protect pilgrims from heat stress and sunstroke has become increasingly urgent. Previous efforts have included installing misting fans, providing large umbrellas, and expanding shaded areas. The Al-Mashaaer Metro, officially opened in 2010, is a landmark project that has revolutionized pilgrim transportation and reduced reliance on buses, thereby contributing to lower heat emissions and congestion. Today, the use of road cooling technology is a natural extension of this long history of continuous development to serve the pilgrims.
The importance of the event and its expected impact
This initiative has far-reaching dimensions and effects on several levels:
- Local impact: This step enhances public health and safety standards for pilgrims and reduces the burden on the healthcare system during Hajj season by minimizing cases of heat exhaustion. It also supports the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 in improving the quality of services provided to Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.
- Regional and international impact: This experience reinforces the Kingdom's position as a global leader in crowd management and the application of modern technologies to adapt to climate change. The successful implementation of road cooling materials in a harsh and congested environment like the Holy Sites provides an engineering and environmental model that can be exported or replicated in other global cities suffering from the phenomenon of "urban heat islands."
Objectives of the Roads Sector Program and Vision 2030
The General Authority for Roads continuously develops research and practical experiments, stemming from its vital role as the government body overseeing and regulating the roads sector in the Kingdom. These innovative projects align with the strategic objectives of the “Roads Sector Program,” which explicitly encourages innovation and scientific research. Through these efforts, the Authority aims to raise the quality of roads in the Kingdom to reach the sixth highest global ranking, in addition to achieving the ambitious goal of reducing the traffic fatality rate to less than 5 deaths per 100,000 people by 2030. In doing so, the roads sector continues its leading role in enabling numerous vital and promising sectors and supporting sustainable development in the country.
