Traffic congestion in Riyadh needs a lifeline

In the first quarter of this year, Al-Riyadh newspaper published a significant survey on the causes of traffic congestion in the Saudi capital. The findings attributed 42 percent of the issue to road engineering, 23 percent to delays in launching public transportation, 20 percent to inadequacies in traffic management, and 15 percent to roadworks and diversions.

These findings reflect a high level of credibility. For example, King Fahd Road in Riyadh was designed to handle 80,000 vehicles per day, but it currently operates at 300 percent of its intended capacity, showing that it has not kept pace with population growth, housing development, and the increase in vehicles.

Official statements from the Riyadh municipality indicate that the city’s road quality stands at 55 points, while the globally accepted standard is 70 points, highlighting the effect of roadworks and diversions on the current situation.

Experts are calling for a critical review of certain aspects, most notably the idea of phasing out the Traffic Department’s field operations. They recommend addressing those who advocate for the department’s continued role in operational and traffic management duties. Instead, experts propose replacing these functions with electronic barriers and smart traffic signals that can be controlled remotely, which would promote sound financial governance and allow for the reallocation of funds to the ministries of municipal affairs and transportation.

Furthermore, they suggest considering the use of artificial intelligence to manage traffic, operated by trained civilian professionals. The necessary infrastructure is already in place with security cameras and the Saher system. Those attributing congestion solely to delays in public transportation overlook the challenge of changing people’s long-standing habits, which have persisted for more than five decades. This is a complex issue that may require a relatively long transitional phase to accustom people to replacing private transportation with the metro and buses.

Riyadh tops the list of the most congested Arab cities in Asia, with an average of 52 hours wasted annually due to traffic and a congestion rate reaching 23 percent. Although I question the accuracy of this figure, because it may not fully reflect the experiences of most Riyadh residents, I’ll accept it.

A recent study from King Saud University found that people over the age of 60 who drive in traffic for two hours a day may lose up to five years of their expected lifespan due to related health and psychological issues, especially in accident-related congestion. The British have addressed this issue by installing elevated barriers around accident sites, preventing onlookers from slowing down or stopping to observe the incident, thereby avoiding traffic congestion and disruptions. This approach may be beneficial and suitable for similar situations on local streets.

Operation of the Riyadh Metro is expected to commence later this year. Initially, it is projected to reduce the number of daily car trips by approximately 250,000. According to TomTom’s 2021 data, Riyadh residents make 16 million trips every day, with 60 percent for work and study purposes and 40 percent for shopping and leisure. This implies that the daily number of trips will fall to 15.75 million, a relatively small difference, considering that these figures are based on the current population of approximately 8 million.

The public’s attachment to private vehicles stems from a deep-rooted emotional and nostalgic connection, with many indifferent to the practical or financial impacts of their choice, or to the advantages of public transportation as an alternative. Addressing this issue may sometimes require assertive or mandatory measures, such as imposing congestion taxes on high-density roads, with fees significant enough to encourage more people to use public transport.

Also, given that the metro is electrically powered, a carbon or pollution tax could be effective, similar to the restrictions placed on those who consume drugs or alcohol.

Riyadh’s population is expected to reach at least 15 million by 2030. Despite future expansions, the Riyadh Metro’s daily capacity will not exceed 3.6 million passengers. Currently, it has 84 stations and spans 176 km.

In contrast, the London Underground, with 272 stations covering 400 km, transports 5 million passengers daily for a city of only 9 million. There appears to be a disparity between the Saudi and British numbers, highlighting the need to proactively address future congestion. Therefore, it is most appropriate to address future congestion by implementing a range of engineering, construction, and regulatory solutions. These include modifying intersections, constructing additional bridges, overpasses and bypass roads, and enforcing regulations such as no-parking zones.

Furthermore, government and private entities should be required to submit traffic impact assessments before undertaking new developments or events. Additionally, the creation of self-sufficient urban centers with a population of at least 30,000, encompassing residential, commercial and educational facilities, can significantly reduce the need for long-distance commuting.

• Dr. Bader bin Saud is a columnist for Al-Riyadh newspaper, a media and knowledge management researcher, expert and university professor in crowd management and strategic planning, and the former deputy commander of the Special Forces for Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia. X: @BaderbinSaud