A campaign promoting safe and efficient roads: Modern technologies to improve road quality in Saudi Arabia
The General Authority for Roads in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced the launch of a comprehensive package of modern technologies and innovative digital solutions, coinciding with the launch of the sixth season of the "Distinguished and Safe Roads" campaign. This significant step aims to raise safety and maintenance levels on the Kingdom's road network and ensure the quality of infrastructure according to the highest international standards, in line with the comprehensive development witnessed in the transport and logistics sector.
Smart technologies to enhance monitoring and tracking accuracy
In a first for the campaign, the authority unveiled a state-of-the-art central control room, inaugurated by His Excellency the Minister of Transport and Logistics, Engineer Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser. This room acts as an electronic brain, managing field operations and monitoring survey and assessment activities in real time. This enables the analysis of massive amounts of data received from the field and the rapid and efficient deployment of maintenance and processing teams, ensuring asset sustainability and high-quality outputs.
The technological upgrades weren't limited to the control room; they also included the introduction of a "mobile digital imaging scanning device." This device is specialized in precisely monitoring non-paved road elements such as signs, road markings, guardrails, and light poles. These elements are essential for maintaining the aesthetic appearance of roads and ensuring the safety of road users, as accurate monitoring contributes to the rapid resolution of any defects or issues.
Innovations for measuring paint quality and road safety
The Authority has enhanced its technological fleet with a "Mobile Paint Reflectivity Measurement System," an advanced system that assesses the clarity and reflectivity of road markings and paint, particularly during nighttime driving and in various weather conditions. This technology is distinguished by its ability to conduct measurements without requiring lane closures or disrupting traffic flow, reflecting the Authority's commitment to adopting smart solutions that serve users without inconveniencing them.
Strategic context and ambitious national goals
The "Safe and High-Quality Roads" campaign is of paramount strategic importance, aligning with the Kingdom's efforts to achieve the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and Vision 2030, which aims to solidify Saudi Arabia's position as a global logistics hub. Road quality and safety are crucial to realizing this vision, given their role in enhancing connectivity between regions, facilitating trade, and reducing traffic accidents, all of which positively impact quality of life and the national economy.
The current campaign aims to comprehensively survey the road network outside urban areas. More than 620 members, distributed across 61 field teams, are participating in this national task. These teams include personnel from various government agencies and a select group of university students, reflecting a spirit of integration among different sectors to serve the nation and enhance the efficiency of the road network, which is among the largest and most modern in the region.
