Right on time: Riyadh Metro engineers new era of urban mobility

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Riyadh metro connects key urban centers, reducing car dependency in a city notorious for traffic congestion. (SPA/Supplied)
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The metro’s 11 underground and 17 at-grade stations were strategically placed to enhance connectivity across the city. (Supplied)
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Updated 03 December 2024
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Right on time: Riyadh Metro engineers new era of urban mobility

  • The capital city’s new public transport system covers 176 kms of track

RIYADH: In a city where rapid development has outpaced infrastructure, the Riyadh Metro is setting a new benchmark for urban transport in the Kingdom. The $23 billion mega-project, one of the largest metro systems built in a single phase, has six lines, 176 kilometers of track and 85 stations.

Engineering against the odds

Riyadh’s complex geological and urban landscapes posed unique challenges during construction. Beneath the city’s surface is dense limestone and breccia, which required the use of special tunnel boring machines, or TBMs, designed to navigate these demanding conditions.




The metro’s stations are a balance between form and function. (SPA)

“The geological conditions demanded not only technical sophistication but also real-time adaptability to ensure both speed and accuracy,” Roger Cruickshank, senior director at AtkinsRealis, which led the design of Lines 4, 5, and 6, said in an interview with Arab News.

The metro’s 11 underground and 17 at-grade stations were strategically placed to enhance connectivity across the city. Additionally, the integration of underground, at-grade, and elevated tracks required careful consideration of Riyadh’s existing road networks.

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Riyadh Metro’s 11 underground and 17 at-grade stations were strategically placed to enhance connectivity across the city.

“Restructuring road networks and ensuring smooth transitions between modes of transit were integral to minimizing disruption,” Cruickshank said.

Automation at the core

A defining feature of the Riyadh Metro is its Level 4 automation, eliminating the need for onboard operators. Centralized control centers manage operations through advanced algorithms and real-time data, ensuring seamless functionality.

Supporting this system are geotechnical monitoring tools, including fiber optic sensors and automated data acquisition systems, which continuously assess infrastructure health.




The metro connects key urban centers, reducing car dependency in a city notorious for traffic congestion. (SPA)

“These technologies provide real-time insights, allowing us to predict maintenance needs and address them before they escalate,” Cruickshank said.

The trains themselves are equipped with advanced safety features, such as early warning and remote diagnostic systems, enhancing passenger safety and operational reliability.

Predictive analytics further optimize system efficiency, extending the lifespan of critical components while minimizing downtime.

Functionality meets design

The metro’s stations are a balance between form and function. While designed to optimize passenger flow and connectivity, they also reflect Riyadh’s cultural identity through architectural motifs inspired by local heritage.




Roger Cruickshank, AtkinsRealis senior director

“The design integrates contemporary materials with traditional influences, making the infrastructure both practical and a visual complement to the city,” Cruickshank said.

The metro connects key urban centers, reducing car dependency in a city notorious for traffic congestion. The focus on accessibility ensures that the system serves Riyadh’s growing population effectively.

Sustainability

The Riyadh Metro aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by prioritizing sustainability; by promoting public transport, it is projected to significantly cut carbon emissions.

The design integrates contempor- ary materials with traditional influences, making the infrastruc- ture both practical and a visual complement to the city.

Roger Cruickshank, AtkinsRealis senior director

The system also incorporates energy-efficient technologies, such as regenerative braking and automated lighting, to minimize its environmental footprint.

“Noise and vibration mitigation strategies were essential to ensure the system operated harmoniously within the urban environment,” Cruickshank added. These measures, combined with the integration of green building standards, highlight the project’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

The lessons from the project are already informing future initiatives in Saudi Arabia and beyond. “This project demonstrates how collaboration, advanced technology, and strategic planning can produce infrastructure that is both technically brilliant and sustainable,” Cruickshank said.

The Riyadh Metro provides a case study for cities worldwide grappling with urbanization and mobility challenges. By combining engineering excellence, technological innovation, and cultural sensitivity, authorities have created a transit network that not only meets today’s needs but anticipates the demands of tomorrow as well.

 


Saudi FM meets US envoy to discuss developments in Lebanon

Updated 7 sec ago
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Saudi FM meets US envoy to discuss developments in Lebanon

  • Explored collaborative efforts to address challenges facing Lebanese people and in broader region

RIYADH: Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan spoke with Amos Hochstein, the US Special Envoy to Lebanon, on Sunday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Riyadh.

The meeting focused on regional issues, with particular attention given to the situation in Lebanon, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

Both sides exchanged views on recent developments and explored collaborative efforts to address the challenges facing the Lebanese people and the broader region, SPA added.

Also in attendance was Prince Yazid bin Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Farhan, advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Lebanese Affairs, who contributed to the discussions.


Saudi leadership offers condolences after death of Jordan’s Princess Majda

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (File/SPA)
Updated 21 min 19 sec ago
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Saudi leadership offers condolences after death of Jordan’s Princess Majda

  • Princess Majda passed away in Amman on Jan. 3, the Royal Hashemite Court said
  • Swedish-born princess was born Margaretha Inga Elisabeth Lind and became known as Princess Majda after her marriage.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent cables of condolences to the king of Jordan after the passing of Princess Majda Raad, Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Jordan’s King Abdullah attended the funeral of Princess Majda, the wife of Prince Raad bin Zeid, at the Royal Cemetery on Friday, The Jordan Times reported.

Princess Majda passed away in Amman on Jan. 3, the Royal Hashemite Court said. The Swedish-born princess was born Margaretha Inga Elisabeth Lind and became known as Princess Majda after her marriage.


New community initiative brings Saudi artisans together for ‘Year of Handicrafts’

Updated 05 January 2025
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New community initiative brings Saudi artisans together for ‘Year of Handicrafts’

  • Workshops held for aspiring artisans and crafters
  • Events will be held throughout the year

RIYADH: The Royal Institute for Traditional Arts launched a new community initiative on Saturday with a packed day of workshops and discussions with inspiring figures in the handicrafts field.

As 2025 kicks off with the Ministry of Culture labeling it the “Year of Handicrafts,” TRITA aims to bring a sense of camaraderie to artisans and aspiring crafters with its “Wrth Community,” which will host several events through the year.  

The Royal Institute for Traditional Arts will bring a sense of camaraderie to artisans and aspiring crafters with Wrth Community. (AN photos by Abdulrhman Bin Shalhoub)

Nermeen Al-Naimi, an artisan at TRITA, told Arab News: “Today, the community of Wrth started, so that’s very good for artisans because we are looking for somewhere we can belong.

“Wrth is the place we belong now with this community, it’s more like a second house for us because we exchange experiences, we exchange techniques and tools and stuff like that. It’s a growing kind of family, so we’re happy that they made this step today, and we’re grateful.”

The Royal Institute for Traditional Arts will bring a sense of camaraderie to artisans and aspiring crafters with Wrth Community.
(AN photos by Abdulrhman Bin Shalhoub)

The six-hour event brought artisans at various levels and from various crafts together for a day of engagement through workshops on traditional crafting with wood, metals, clay, and stones.

Silversmiths Ayat Dhahi and Revan Abdulsabour shared their expertise on sculpting and formation, from design to implementation, while others, such as sculptor Helwa Al-Atawi, shared success stories of turning a passion into a career.

Jewelry Designer Rughad Alhogail chimed in with her entrepreneurial experience of taking local crafts to international markets during a discussion. (Supplied)

Jewelry designer Rughad Al-Hogail weighed in with her entrepreneurial experience of taking local crafts to international markets.

Al-Naimi is an instructor for jewelry manufacture and design, but came to the inaugural Wrth event as a student, signing up for a wood-carving workshop that allows participants to identify the types of traditional engravings in the Najd region, and producing a wooden coaster using the technique with a copper inlay.

The six-hour event brought in artisans at various levels and crafts together for a day of engagement through workshops on traditional crafting with wood, metals, clay, and stones. (Supplied)

“I decided to go back to wood because I did clay before, and I did metals before, so I wanted to incorporate wood in my designs …

“It has metal in it, so, the experience was amazing because I use metal combined with wood, combined with a little bit of this technique.”

Workshops at the Wrth Community event explored traditional engraving modeling methods, their use in the manufacture of innovative products, and employing traditional engravings in contemporary arts. (AN Photo Abdulrhman Bin Shalhuob)

Other workshops explored traditional engraving methods, their use in the manufacture of innovative products, and employing traditional engravings in contemporary art.

Al-Naimi works as a personal branding consultant, and part of her job is to help individuals realize their hopes and connect with ways to energize themselves.

Workshops at the Wrth Community event explored traditional engraving modeling methods, their use in the manufacture of innovative products, and employing traditional engravings in contemporary arts. (AN Photo Abdulrhman Bin Shalhuob)

“One of the things that makes me happy is working with my hands. So working with metal, with wood, it’s all a stress relief. Plus you make something beautiful.”

Al-Naimi joined TRITA about two years ago, working with metals, but quickly found that it was more than just a space to create.

“Here at the Royal Institute, it’s support all the way — for the trainers, for the products; they have an online store now,” she said. Here students’ creations are up for sale at the physical location and online, creating profitable opportunities for aspiring and established artisans.

Wrth Community aims to lead the revival and development handicrafts, linking them to modern design and technology, enhancing the participation of institutions and the local community to highlight the importance of traditional arts in defining cultural identity, while also equipping people with ways to create traditional arts in today’s market.

Wrth Community provides opportunities for artisans to meet, exchange knowledge and enhance personal and professional skills with a focus on education, crafts, entrepreneurship, and dialogue sessions. By creating a supportive environment, TRITA hopes to stimulate talent and creative individuals to learn and practice traditional arts and crafts.

TRITA is a pioneering organization that highlights the national identity and enriches Saudi traditional arts locally and globally, promoting them and recognizing pioneers in the fields of traditional arts. This contributes to the preservation of traditional arts by supporting national capabilities and talents while encouraging those interested in learning, mastering and developing them.

 


KSrelief and UNHCR officials discuss enhanced humanitarian support in Syria

Updated 05 January 2025
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KSrelief and UNHCR officials discuss enhanced humanitarian support in Syria

  • An estimated 6.8 million Syrians remain displaced within the country, while more than 5.5 million have sought refuge in neighboring countries

DAMASCUS: Officials from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees met in Damascus on Sunday to discuss coordinated efforts to assist the Syrian people, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The meeting, focused on bolstering humanitarian and relief operations in the region, was attended by Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Harees, charge d’affaires of the Saudi Embassy in Syria.

During the discussions, UNHCR officials praised their strategic partnership with KSrelief, highlighting the importance of their joint initiatives to support refugees and displaced persons in Syria.

Both parties also reiterated their commitment to ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to essential resources and services to live with dignity.

The humanitarian crisis in Syria remains one of the most pressing in the world, especially after the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime in December of last year, following over a decade of civil war.

Assad’s ouster came after years of intensified international sanctions and a lightning offensive across key cities by opposition militias, culminating in his government’s collapse.

An estimated 6.8 million Syrians remain displaced within the country, while more than 5.5 million have sought refuge in neighboring countries such as Turkiye, Lebanon, and Jordan.

Humanitarian organizations like KSrelief and UNHCR play a crucial role in addressing these challenges, providing essential aid such as food, shelter, and medical care.

In Syria, UNHCR has been a critical player in responding to the humanitarian crisis, assisting the millions of displaced Syrians and advocating for sustainable solutions to their plight. Its collaboration with partners such as KSrelief has been key to addressing the evolving needs of those affected by the conflict.


Saudi minister receives British ambassador to Riyadh

Updated 05 January 2025
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Saudi minister receives British ambassador to Riyadh

  • They discussed bilateral relations and various topics of common interest

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati received UK Ambassador to the Kingdom Neil Crompton in Riyadh on Sunday.

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and various topics of common interest, the Foreign Ministry wrote on X.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Ahmed Farooq signed the condolence book honoring the life and legacy of former US President Jimmy Carter, the Embassy of Pakistan wrote on X on Sunday.