The Minister of Transport launches a campaign for safe, high-quality roads using smart scanning technologies
The Minister of Transport and Logistics and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Roads, Engineer Saleh Al-Jasser, launched today the sixth edition of the "Distinguished and Safe Roads" campaign, a strategic step aimed at enhancing safety and quality standards on the road network in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This edition marks a qualitative leap, transforming from a short-term seasonal campaign into a sustainable national initiative that extends throughout the year, with broad participation from various government agencies and the private sector.
Strategic context and ambitious vision
This campaign comes within the context of the comprehensive development drive the Kingdom is witnessing under the umbrella of Vision 2030, which prioritizes the transport and logistics sector. After years of dedicated work, the National Transport and Logistics Strategy has successfully transformed previous challenges related to road safety into tangible success stories. These cumulative efforts have contributed to reducing road fatalities by nearly 60%, an achievement that reflects the effectiveness of the implementation plans and the ministerial committees for traffic safety that worked to address accident black spots and improve infrastructure.
Smart scanning technologies: A revolution in maintenance and assessment
Engineer Al-Jasser explained that the current version is distinguished by the introduction of a suite of advanced technologies for the first time, placing the Kingdom among the leading countries in road asset management. Among the most prominent of these technologies are:
- Paint reflectivity measurement: Using mobile vehicles to ensure clear paths day and night, and linking the results to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to ensure data accuracy without disrupting traffic.
- Warning vibration technology: Applying floor paints that emit audible and vibration alerts when a vehicle goes out of its lane, and is characterized by economic efficiency and a longer lifespan.
- Digital photogrammetry: Using advanced equipment to scan non-pavement elements, which facilitates proactive maintenance operations.
International standing and economic influence
The importance of this campaign extends beyond the local level, encompassing the enhancement of the Kingdom's international standing. The Minister announced that the Kingdom has achieved fourth place among G20 countries in the road quality index, reinforcing its attractiveness as a global logistics hub connecting three continents. High-quality roads are a vital artery of the national economy, facilitating trade and transportation, supporting the tourism sector, and directly contributing to a better quality of life for citizens and residents.
Integration of efforts and community participation
The General Authority for Roads confirmed that the process of surveying and evaluating the network, which exceeds 73,000 kilometers in length, is ongoing. The Authority noted that the campaign involves more than 620 members distributed across 62 field teams. These teams include representatives from the Ministry of Interior (Road Security), the Ministry of Communications, the Ministry of Energy, and the Ministry of Industry, in addition to university students and the private sector, represented by Najm Company.
In conclusion, the Authority called on all road users to actively participate in monitoring observations through the 938 call center or smart applications, stressing that road safety is a shared responsibility aimed at reaching the sixth global ranking in road quality and reducing deaths to less than 5 cases per 100,000 people.
