In preparation for the upcoming Hajj season, the Saudi Roads General Authority (RGA) has taken a major step to enhance road safety and quality for pilgrims. The authority has deployed the world’s largest and most advanced AI-powered road inspection fleet in Mecca, consisting of 18 high-tech units across five cutting-edge technologies.
The primary aim of this fleet is to ensure an optimal experience for pilgrims by boosting road safety and improving the quality of roads. The fleet includes specialized equipment for various tasks such as scanning surface damage, measuring the International Roughness Index (IRI), assessing pavement layer thickness, evaluating structural deflection, and testing skid resistance.
One of the highlights of this fleet is the seven surface damage scanners equipped with high-resolution cameras, laser units, GPS, and data storage systems. These scanners provide precise analysis of road conditions and enable immediate maintenance decisions, especially on routes to the holy sites.
To evaluate road smoothness and driving comfort, the fleet also includes four IRI units that use laser sensors. Additionally, there are three units that use multi-frequency radar to check pavement layer thickness and another three that measure road deflection under traffic loads using advanced sensor systems. To ensure safety in adverse weather, the fleet also includes a single skid resistance unit that simulates rainy conditions to test friction levels.
Completing the fleet is a mobile digital imaging scanner that inspects unpaved elements such as road signs and safety barriers. This unit helps identify potential risks and optimizes maintenance planning.
The Roads General Authority, the national regulator of Saudi Arabia’s Road sector, has set ambitious goals to elevate the quality of roads to rank sixth globally by 2030 and reduce road fatalities to fewer than five per 100,000 people. Currently, Saudi Arabia boasts the world’s leading intercity road connectivity, with a total network exceeding 73,000 kilometers.
For further inquiries, please contact Media@rga.gov.sa.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.