WNAM REPORT: Saudi Arabia is accelerating a major upgrade of its national road network to support safer pilgrim movement during Hajj, as authorities complete a broader, multi-sector transport readiness plan, according to reports carried by the Saudi Press Agency recently.
The Roads General Authority, which operates under the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services, said it is deploying what it described as the world’s largest fleet of advanced road surveying and assessment equipment to enhance safety and efficiency across the Kingdom’s highways.
The initiative is part of a wider transformation that has lifted Saudi Arabia’s standing in global road connectivity rankings, while aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 goals to accommodate up to 30 million pilgrims annually by the end of the decade.
According to the SPA, the fleet uses high-resolution cameras and laser sensors capable of detecting surface defects such as cracks and rutting with precision of up to 0.05 millimeters, alongside systems measuring pavement thickness, road alignment and skid resistance.
The technology is designed to accelerate maintenance decisions and improve overall road readiness, particularly during the peak Hajj season.
The authority said it is working to cut road fatalities to fewer than five per 100,000 people, in line with international benchmarks set by the International Road Assessment Program, while ensuring smoother traffic flow for pilgrims traveling between the holy sites.
The road upgrades form part of a broader transport ecosystem prepared for the 2026 Hajj season, with the ministry announcing last month that it had finalized operational readiness across aviation, rail, maritime and land transport.
In the aviation sector, more than 3.1 million seats have been allocated across 12,000 flights, with six major hub airports staffed by around 22,000 personnel. Initiatives include off-site baggage check-in and expanded pre-shipment of Zamzam water to ease congestion.
Rail networks are expected to carry millions of passengers, including more than 2 million riders on the Al-Mashaer Al-Mugaddasah Metro and over 2.2 million on the Haramain High-Speed Railway.
The Mashaer metro is only used by pilgrims traveling between specific holy sites within Makkah over a few days during Hajj. The Haramain railway connects Makkah and Madinah, with stops in Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, and King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh.
Road transport will be supported by some 33,000 buses and 5,000 taxis, alongside inspection and traffic management teams, the Transport Ministry said.
Logistics and maritime operations are also being reinforced, with Saudi Post deploying an expanded delivery fleet and the Saudi Ports Authority finalizing arrival procedures at Jeddah Islamic Port. The National Transport Safety Center will remain on round-the-clock emergency standby.
Together, the measures underscore the Kingdom’s push to deliver a seamless, multi-modal transport experience for millions of pilgrims, while reinforcing its ambitions to become a global logistics hub.
