Solutions to Riyadh traffic congestion are on the way

One of the most challenging issues facing the growth of Riyadh city is traffic congestion.

Wikipedia defines traffic congestion as “a condition in transport characterized by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased vehicular queuing.”

Traffic congestion in a large city like Riyadh is expected, especially during rush hours, but it is becoming unbearable as the city is experiencing such congestion almost around the clock.

This is causing great frustration to drivers as traffic congestion negatively impacts travel costs, time, mobility, accessibility, and productivity.

Also, it harms the environment due to the carbon dioxide emissions produced by vehicle exhaust.

The primary causes of traffic congestion in Riyadh include, but are not limited to, reckless driving, traffic accidents blocking lanes, random parking, traffic bottlenecks, and a lack of efficient public transportation.

The exponential growth of the population, which has surpassed the development of the original city limits and exceeded planners’ expectations, is another exacerbating factor.

The use of technology and techniques in managing traffic flow, such as carpooling, traffic light optimization, smart parking zones, and the development of smart drones, will help overcome traffic congestion in the city of Riyadh.

Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, the mayor of the Riyadh region, said in a television interview on Rotana Khalejia that one of the primary causes of traffic congestion in Riyadh is that over 90 percent of the city residents use their own cars to move within the city, compared, for example, to only 12 percent in Japan and 30 percent in the UK.

The poor quality of some roads is compounding the magnitude of the problem, he added.

However, several solutions are on their way that could ease traffic congestion in Riyadh.

Among these is the improvement of the performance and quality of 400 km of pivotal roads in the city.

The Riyadh mayor said that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has approved SR4 billion ($1.06 billion) to improve the quality of roads in Riyadh.

It is also believed that once the King Abdulaziz Public Transport Project becomes fully operational, it will provide alternative transportation in the city, especially considering the magnitude of the project, which consists of six metro lines serving 84 stations and 80 bus lines serving 3,000 stations.

I believe that enforcing existing road traffic laws will also help reduce the chances of traffic congestion and improve Riyadh’s traffic efficiency.

Also, the use of technology and techniques in managing traffic flow, such as carpooling, traffic light optimization, smart parking zones, and the development of smart drones, will help overcome traffic congestion in the city of Riyadh.

• Talat Zaki Hafiz is an economist and financial analyst. X: @TalatHafiz