Saudi RGA deploys 18 vehicle AI-enabled road fleet
Vehicles with cutting-edge scanners monitor Saudi road infrastructure
#SaudiArabia #roadsafety - Saudi Arabia's national road regulator Roads General Authority (RGA) activated the world's largest AI-powered road inspection fleet comprising 18 advanced units to monitor critical routes in advance of this year's Hajj season. The road fleet deploys five cutting-edge technologies including surface damage scanners, roughness measurement systems, and skid resistance testing equipment to ensure optimal safety and quality for millions of Muslim pilgrims travelling to the holy sites in Mecca.
SO WHAT? - This deployment is probably the largest coordinated use of AI technology for road infrastructure monitoring globally, demonstrating Saudi Arabia's commitment to cutting edge technology. The Kingdom has invested heavily in public safety ahead of the year’s largest Islamic gathering, from border security to crowd management and on-site services for pilgrims. An estimated 1.67 million pilgrims participated in this year’s Hajj.
Here are some key points about the RGA’s new fleet:
Saudi Arabia's Roads General Authority (RGA) has activated the world's largest AI-powered road inspection fleet comprising 18 advanced vehicle units to monitor critical routes in advance of this year's Hajj season.
The fleet includes seven surface damage scanners equipped with high-resolution cameras, laser units, GPS systems and data storage capabilities for real-time analysis and immediate maintenance decisions on pilgrim routes.
Four International Roughness Index units evaluate road smoothness and driving comfort using advanced laser sensors to measure surface irregularities that could impact vehicle performance.
Three multi-frequency radar units assess pavement layer thickness to identify structural weaknesses before they compromise road integrity during peak traffic periods.
Three deflection measurement systems analyse how roads respond to traffic loads using sophisticated sensor arrays to predict maintenance requirements and prevent failures.
A specialised skid resistance unit simulates rainy weather conditions to test road friction levels, ensuring pilgrim safety during adverse weather scenarios.
The mobile digital imaging scanner inspects unpaved infrastructure elements including road signs and safety barriers to identify potential hazards and optimise maintenance scheduling.
Saudi Arabia operates the world's leading intercity road connectivity network spanning over 73,000 kilometres.
ZOOM OUT - Saudi Arabia's has invested in a wide variety of cutting edge technology for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, including an AI-powered Hajj management system. The cutting-edge smart platform, announced last week by the Ministry of Interior and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, combines AI with satellite imagery and geographic information systems to monitor crowd dynamics, detect heat islands, and analyse environmental conditions across the Two Holy Mosques and holy sites. The integrated digital system focuses on pilgrim safety and operational coordination.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]