Saudi Arabia is accelerating upgrades to its national road network to support safer pilgrim movement during Hajj, as part of a wider transport readiness plan, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The Roads General Authority, 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 improve safety and efficiency across highways.
The program forms part of a broader transformation aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to accommodate up to 30 million pilgrims annually by the end of the decade and has improved the Kingdom’s position in global road connectivity rankings.
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. Systems also measure pavement thickness, road alignment and skid resistance.
Authorities said the technology will speed up maintenance decisions and improve road readiness, particularly during peak Hajj periods.
The authority is working to reduce road fatalities to fewer than five per 100,000 people, in line with benchmarks set by the International Road Assessment Program, while ensuring smoother traffic flow between holy sites.
The road upgrades are part of a wider transport system prepared for the 2026 Hajj season. The ministry said operational readiness has been finalised across aviation, rail, maritime and land transport.
In aviation, more than 3.1 million seats have been allocated across 12,000 flights. Six major hub airports will be staffed by around 22,000 personnel. Measures 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 operates during Hajj to transport pilgrims between specific holy sites in Makkah over a few days. The Haramain railway connects Makkah and Madinah, with stops in Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport and King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh.
Road transport will include about 33,000 buses and 5,000 taxis, supported by inspection and traffic management teams.
Logistics and maritime operations are also being strengthened. Saudi Post is deploying an expanded delivery fleet, while the Saudi Ports Authority has finalised arrival procedures at Jeddah Islamic Port. The National Transport Safety Center will remain on round-the-clock emergency standby.
The measures aim to provide a coordinated transport system for millions of pilgrims and support Saudi Arabia’s plans to strengthen its position as a global logistics hub.