How Saudi Arabia is using advanced automated systems to tackle traffic congestion

Special How Saudi Arabia is using advanced automated systems to tackle traffic congestion
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Updated 27 February 2025
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How Saudi Arabia is using advanced automated systems to tackle traffic congestion

How Saudi Arabia is using advanced automated systems to tackle traffic congestion
  • SDAIA’s Sawaher is revolutionizing traffic management by harnessing data — from citywide trends down to individual streets
  • The upgrade has already cut road accident fatalities, reduced traffic, and improved the flow of vehicles during major events

RIYADH: Congestion is a major concern for residents of Saudi Arabia’s cities. Commuters in Riyadh alone lose an average of 52 hours in traffic annually, according to a 2024 estimate.

While projects like the Riyadh Metro, which opened the last of its lines in January, are doing their part to ease the flow of cars, the city’s population is still projected to grow from around 8 million today to 9.6 million in 2030, presenting further challenges.

The Saudi Data and AI Authority, in collaboration with government entities, has developed several systems that generate vast amounts of information on road traffic, ranging from a macro, citywide level to individual streets.

One of these is the Sawaher system, a national platform designed to analyze streams of images and videos using artificial intelligence and computer vision, providing real-time insights. One of its key use cases is in traffic management.

Another is the Smart C platform, which leverages data and artificial intelligence technologies to monitor, analyze, and predict operational indicators, supporting decision-making in smart city management. 

“Riyadh is becoming a very busy city, so we need to be innovative, we need to act fast,” Mohammed Al-Buqami, general manager of product development at SDAIA’s Estishraf, told Arab News. 




Mohammed Al-Buqami

The system developed by SDAIA analyzes data in detail, identifying accident hotspots and comparing seasonal fluctuations.

Areas with a high number of fatal accidents are assessed for whether or not signage or road infrastructure can be improved to cut down on collisions.

“Ramadan specifically will have different spots than any other month in the year,” Al-Buqami said, as working hours and commuting patterns shift during the holy month. 

When a recent event in Riyadh attracted a huge number of visitors, it caused a ripple effect of congestion. That is why SDAIA, in collaboration with government entities, decided to develop a new tool “to ensure that traffic at the gate does not cause congestion in the surrounding area or impact major roads,” Al-Buqami said.

Looking to the future and problems that may arise from a rising population, SDAIA is working to introduce new technologies, and recently carried out a bootcamp for budding AI experts who came up with the idea for a robot that detects cracks, potholes, and puddles on the city’s roads, as well as an automated accident response system.

While SDAIA is on the cutting edge of data analytics and automated traffic management, the Kingdom has been implementing advanced technology solutions for road safety for more than a decade. 

Saher, the automated penalty system, was developed in 2009 and launched the following year by the Ministry of Interior, using a network of cameras and radars.




The installation of Saher camera along major roads in Saudi Arabia have led to a reduction in speeding and reckless driving violations. (AN file photo)

When cameras detect a violation such as speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, texting while driving, or other such offenses, the system retrieves the vehicle owner’s details from the database and automatically issues a fine sent to the driver via SMS.

“The Saher system illustrates how AI and automation can revolutionize traffic enforcement and improve road safety,” Hasan Al-Ahmadi, associate professor at the Department of Civil Engineering at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, told Arab News.

Saher operates continuously, ensuring consistent enforcement of traffic laws without relying on human oversight.

DID YOU KNOW?

• By the end of 2023, Saudi Arabia had 15.1 million roadworthy vehicles — a 6.2 percent increase from 2022.

• In 2016, the country’s road traffic fatality rate was 28.8 per 100,000 people.

• Vision 2030 reforms have cut road deaths by 54 percent, dropping to 13.6 per 100,000 from 2016 to 2023.

It can identify and track road users moving through cities, automatically recognizing number plates and allowing law enforcement officers to pinpoint stolen or wanted vehicles.

Saher cameras are placed at regular intervals and their watchful eye can detect infractions as minor as changing lanes excessively or not leaving enough room between vehicles. 




Saher cameras are placed at regular intervals and their watchful eye can detect infractions as minor as changing lanes excessively or not leaving enough room between vehicles. (Supplied)

The system uses machine learning to study driver behaviors over time, identifying trends such as habitual speeding or repeated violations. Insights from this analysis are used for educational campaigns or stricter penalties for repeat offenders, said Al-Ahmadi, who has published a number of research papers on automation and road safety in Saudi Arabia.

The professor noted that a number of studies have shown decreases of up to 30 percent in speeding violations and red-light infractions since Saher was introduced. 

In Dammam, accident rates dropped by approximately 20 percent, while congestion was reduced by around 20 percent in Dammam and Jeddah. 




Congestion in Dammam's roads has been reduced by around 20 percent since the introduction of the Saher traffic monitoring system. (SPA file photo)

Meanwhile, studies also show that emergency response times improved by between 20-30 percent, Al-Ahmadi said.

In 2016, road accidents were the leading cause of death in Saudi Arabia. A total of 21 people were killed in crashes every day — almost one every hour. 

These findings spurred the government into action. By 2023, fatal accidents had fallen by 54 percent.

Data and analytics were a key part of this success, with the number of road cameras increasing by 320 percent from 2016 to 2021, according to a World Health Organization report. Analyzing data from the country’s death registry also played a part.

Al-Ahmadi sees a future where even more advanced technology can play a part in making Saudi Arabia’s roads safer.




As Saudi Arabia moves towards a more sustainable society, automated systems could also monitor vehicle emissions and impose penalties in high-pollution zones, says Assistant Professor Hasan Al-Ahmadi of KFUPM's Department of Civil Engineering. (Supplied)

Drone technology could be used for real-time traffic monitoring in areas with limited camera coverage, he said. Integrating intersection management systems with self-driving vehicles could be another advanced solution.

Al-Ahmadi also suggested that monitoring technology could be upgraded to analyze drivers’ facial expressions, blink rates, and head movements to detect fatigue or distraction.

As Saudi Arabia moves towards a more sustainable society, automated systems could also monitor vehicle emissions and impose penalties in high-pollution zones, Al-Ahmadi added. 

While the Kingdom’s cities continue to grow at a rapid rate, the problem of congestion and road safety is not going anywhere. 

However, with a combination of automated technology and continuous monitoring, as well as the introduction of new infrastructure projects, officials have found early success in reducing fatalities and look poised to keep the issue at bay.

 


New smart portal launched to enrich pilgrims’ Grand Mosque experience

New smart portal launched to enrich pilgrims’ Grand Mosque experience
Updated 8 sec ago
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New smart portal launched to enrich pilgrims’ Grand Mosque experience

New smart portal launched to enrich pilgrims’ Grand Mosque experience
  • The interactive portal is the first of its kind, says the president of religious affairs

RIYADH: As Saudi Arabia gears up for this year’s Hajj, the Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has launched a new smart portal to enhance the digital experience of pilgrims to the Grand Mosque.

The initiative offers well-curated Islamic content in a simplified and comprehensive manner that addresses the needs of pilgrims, visitors and Umrah performers, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

The portal offers a fully integrated digital platform dedicated to delivering religious and enrichment services.

President of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, said it was the first smart, faith-based portal of its kind — innovative, globally accessible and highly regulated.

Designed in multiple languages, it serves as an enrichment reference for pilgrims based on a carefully curated and standardized database.

The interactive platform is powered by several smart technologies and offers a range of features including prayer time displays, notifications about imams and muezzins, and schedules of religious lessons and their locations. It is distinguished by an interactive navigation feature that allows visitors to directly access service and lesson locations using smart maps within the app.

The portal also enables instant responses to visitor queries through live chat and provides guidance on how to perform prayer and ablution, along with definitions of Islamic terms. It can be accessed via https://services.prh.gov.sa.

The Presidency also unveiled the updated second version of its AI-powered Manarat Al-Haramain robot on Wednesday, as part of an initiative aiming to leverage advanced technologies to enhance pilgrims’ spiritual experiences.

The robot will act as a reference point for religious inquiries at the Grand Mosque and can connect worshippers and other visitors to direct video calls with muftis who can answer any questions they have.


Saudi university develops sensor to reduce fresh produce spoilage

Saudi university develops sensor to reduce fresh produce spoilage
Updated 22 May 2025
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Saudi university develops sensor to reduce fresh produce spoilage

Saudi university develops sensor to reduce fresh produce spoilage
  • Enables real-time remote monitoring across food supply chain
  • King Faisal University registers the device with US patent office

AL-AHSA: Researchers at King Faisal University in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province have developed a low-cost smart sensor that aims to reduce spoilage of fresh produce.

The Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday that the device, which is now registered with the US Patent and Trademark Office, is designed to predict spoilage early during transportation and storage.

Developed by a team from the KFU’s College of Science, the device detects volatile organic compounds, particularly ethylene gas, a key indicator of the onset of spoilage in fresh produce.

The smart sensor enables remote monitoring by stakeholders across the food supply chain, thus helping reduce wastage of fruits and vegetables. (SPA photo)

“The compact and lightweight prototype is designed for easy installation in refrigeration units or transport containers,” the report stated.

As the device can be connected to Internet of Things networks, real-time remote monitoring and early alerts can be done by stakeholders across the food supply chain.

It can be integrated into cooling and distribution systems, offering a practical solution for the food and logistics sectors, the report stated.

It added that the device was showcased by KFU during the 16th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification in Riyadh last December.

It has drawn significant interest from investors due its “practical value in supporting smart agriculture and minimizing food waste in supply chains,” the SPA reported.


Saudi women lead conversation on leadership, investment and cultural power at Fortune summit

Saudi women lead conversation on leadership, investment and cultural power at Fortune summit
Updated 21 May 2025
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Saudi women lead conversation on leadership, investment and cultural power at Fortune summit

Saudi women lead conversation on leadership, investment and cultural power at Fortune summit
  • Speaking exclusively to Arab News at the event, Princess Noura bint Faisal talks of her role in nation’s cultural development: ‘I saw an opportunity to build something meaningful’
  • The concluding day of the summit featured a strong focus on entrepreneurship, economic diversification and sectoral transformation

RIYADH: The influence Saudi women increasingly are having on global culture, policies, investment and innovation was in the spotlight on Wednesday during the second and final day of the Fortune Most Powerful Women International Summit in Riyadh.

In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Princess Noura bint Faisal reflected on her own unexpected path to cultural leadership, the strategic value of soft power, and the expanding economic role of the creative sector in the Kingdom.

“I never thought I would be in the creative world,” she said. “But when I moved back to Saudi after Vision 2030 launched, I saw an opportunity to build something meaningful.”

Her journey since then has included the launch of Saudi Fashion Week in 2018 and helping to establish the Fashion Commission at the Ministry of Culture.

“We created infrastructure that didn’t exist: new jobs, policies and real career paths for people with creative talent,” Princess Noura said.

Princess Noura emphasized the important need to integrate culture across all industries, from retail and the food and beverage sector to sports and corporate strategy: “Culture isn’t a fixed definition. It’s how you express your identity and it can absolutely be monetized if it’s supported by the right business model.”

The concluding day of the summit featured a strong focus on entrepreneurship, economic diversification and sectoral transformation.

Noor Sweid, founder and managing partner of Global Ventures, offered insights into her company’s regional approach to tech investment. Rather than sticking to fixed sectors, she said it backs sectors that have long been “underbuilt,” including financial technology in 2018, healthcare in 2020 and, more recently, manufacturing.

One standout example of this approach, she said, is a company that digitizes spare-part inventories for oil and gas businesses using 3D printing, thereby resolving supply-chain gaps and sustainability challenges in real time.

Her comments were complemented by insights from Aidan Madigan-Curtis, general partner at Eclipse Ventures, who discussed the ways in which geopolitical shocks and climate pressures are forcing venture capitalists to refocus on industrial technology.

“VCs like to say they’re long-term but they’re also deeply cyclical,” she noted, arguing that the future lies in reinventing the ways in which the world makes, moves and powers things, taking into account developments such as automation and advanced manufacturing.

Cultural transformation through sport was a major theme during a panel moderated by Lama Alhamawi of Arab News, titled “New Heights.” Adwa Al-Arifi, the Saudi assistant minister for sports affairs, said that since the launch of Vision 2030 in 2016, physical activity among Saudis has increased from just 13 percent to more than 50 percent.

The Kingdom’s National Sports Strategy focuses on mass participation, youth development and elite performance, three pillars that have already led to the achievement of some historic milestones in women’s sports, such as the qualification of taekwondo athlete Dunya Abutaleb for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Several women shared their personal journeys in sports. Zamzam Al-Hammadi, who competes in the mixed martial arts Professional Fighters League, credited her mother for inspiring her career. Boxing expert Rasha Al-Khamis told how early support from her father gave her the confidence to pursue combat sports.

Mashael Al-Obaidan said Saudi Arabia’s desert culture sparked her love of motorsports. Aalia Al-Rasheed, head of women’s football at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, spoke about the explosive growth in grassroots programs for the sport and revealed that more than 70,000 girls now play in school leagues.

Other sessions explored the economic and creative value of the fashion industry. During one on-stage discussion, Princess Noura reflected on what she considered one of the most notable outcomes of recent reforms in the country, the formal recognition of creative professionals.

“Before Vision 2030, designers weren’t even able to register their own commercial licenses,” she said. “There was no such thing as a fashion business. Today, designers can register as fashion professionals, operate legally and access support structures that didn’t exist before.”

This shift is emblematic of Saudi Arabia’s broader cultural transformation, in which creativity is no longer only a passion but also a viable and valued career path, she added.

The day’s sessions together highlighted the expanding leadership roles of Saudi women across diverse sectors and the determination of authorities in the Kingdom to turn strategic pillars such as culture, investment, sport and technology into economic engines.


Saudi Arabia ‘strongly condemns’ Israel shooting toward diplomatic delegation

Saudi Arabia ‘strongly condemns’ Israel shooting toward diplomatic delegation
Updated 22 May 2025
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Saudi Arabia ‘strongly condemns’ Israel shooting toward diplomatic delegation

Saudi Arabia ‘strongly condemns’ Israel shooting toward diplomatic delegation
  • Officials from Europe, Turkiye and Egypt scurry for cover as shots are fired toward them in the West Bank; no one is injured
  • Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry urges international community to act to halt Israeli violations in occupied Palestinian territories

RIYADH: Saudi authorities condemned “in the strongest terms” an incident on Wednesday in which Israeli soldiers fired toward a diplomatic delegation visiting the occupied West Bank.

The Kingdom called on the international community, in particular the permanent members of the UN Security Council (the US, the UK, Russia, France and China), to “immediately stop Israeli violations against civilians, diplomatic missions and relief organizations operating in the occupied Palestinian territories.”

Saudi Arabia demands Israel be held accountable under international law for its ongoing crimes during the occupation, the ministry added.

The delegation visiting the West Bank, which included diplomats from Europe, Turkiye and Egypt, was near Jenin when shots were fired by nearby Israeli soldiers, sending the officials scurrying for cover. There were no injuries.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said Israel “deliberately targeted, by live fire, an accredited diplomatic delegation.”

The incident sparked an angry response in Europe, where a number of governments condemned the shooting. Italy, France and Sweden were among those who summoned Israeli ambassadors.

The Israeli military said the visitors had “deviated from the approved route” and the soldiers fired warning shots to keep the delegation away from an unauthorized area.

Israel has been conducting a major military operation in Jenin and surrounding areas since January.


Polish pianist brings Europe’s musical soul to Saudi Arabia’s capital

Polish pianist brings Europe’s musical soul to Saudi Arabia’s capital
Updated 21 May 2025
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Polish pianist brings Europe’s musical soul to Saudi Arabia’s capital

Polish pianist brings Europe’s musical soul to Saudi Arabia’s capital

RIYADH: As part of the cultural dialogue between the EU and Saudi Arabia, the embassy of the EU in the Kingdom organized a musical evening at the Saudi Music Hub in Riyadh.

Speaking at “The European Piano Recital,” the EU ambassador said: “Saudi Arabia is a close ally with whom we enjoy close relations. My only wish is that music will serve to build bridges and bring our artists and our peoples closer together.”

During the recital, Polist vituoso pianist Wojciech Waleczek took the audience on a journey through the 27 countries of the EU, performing classical works that highlight the continent’s cultural diversity.

The pianist is renowned internationally for his artistic excellence and his commitment to spreading classical music throughout the world. He is also professor of musical arts at the University of Silesia in Katowice.

Waleczek told Arab News: “These were works by composers from all the countries of the European Union. We asked composers from each EU country to write a piece, which we presented this evening.

“I think this is a very important event, because we can exchange our cultures. For example, in Europe we can listen to music from other continents. Just as in Europe, we can listen to music from other continents. So we can bring European culture to other countries. That’s why I do it. I’ve discovered Polish culture and now I’d like to share it with Saudi audiences.”

Waleczek has a very active international career. He performs solo recitals, chamber music and as a soloist with orchestras in more than 40 countries, notably in Europe, the Middle East, America and Asia, and collaborates with many prestigious orchestras.

He closed his recital with a performance of Schiller’s poem “Ode to Joy,” which expresses an idealistic vision of human brotherhood, a vision shared by Beethoven. In 1972, the Council of Europe adopted the theme of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” as its anthem, and in 1985 the leaders of the EU adopted it as their official anthem.

Waleczek said: “I played the ‘Ode to Joy,’ which is the anthem of the European Union, and this piece is very special. I think that, in today’s world, we must always remember that we are the guardians of peace.”

A specialist in the repertoire of Franz Liszt, his recordings include “Grandes etudes de Paganini” (2017), “Harmonies poetiques et religieuses” in 2019, and “Weihnachtsbaum” in 2024. He also performs works by Franz Schubert, such as “Rarities and Short Piano Works” in 2021.

Alongside his artistic career, he teaches at the Institute of Musical Arts at the University of Silesia. He is also vice president of the SIGNUM association, which promotes classical music in Poland and abroad.

The recital concert is part of efforts to strengthen cultural links between Europe and Saudi Arabia and accompanies the Kingdom’s artistic and cultural transformation under Vision 2030.