Sustainable Road and Transport Management

What is the project about

The Ministry of Transport as policy leading agency for the transport sector is responsible for reporting and carrying on a periodical review of the National Transportation Strategy (NTS), which has been developed with the assistance of UN agencies. Within this national strategy MOT is aiming at developing sustainable transport systems and improving road safety.

The transport sector of Saudi Arabia emerged over the past as a driving force for economic and social development. All transport modes are rapidly developing. The highway network with over 56,000 km of paved roads facilitates the movement of goods and people across the whole Kingdom. Updated traffic regulations and technology supported procedures to manage traffic and detect traffic violation have increased road safety and significantly reduced accident fatalities.

To improve urban transportation in the major cities of the Kingdom, integrated public transport concepts are being developed that include light rail and dedicated bus transportation. The railway network is expanding and thereby creating a regional railway network to facilitate high-speed passenger trains and support multi modal transport of goods.

Private sector participation in aviation is enhancing competitive air transport services. However, the transport sector accounts for a significant percentage of Green House Gas emissions worldwide and road transport is contributing to these emissions significantly. Transforming present transportation systems towards a low-carbon, energy efficient, more environmentally sustainable sector will require long term vision and a multi faceted strategic approach. Such a transformation would offer opportunities for green economic growth.

To provide a common policy framework and cohesive strategic guidance for the diverse transport sector and the large number of responsible agencies and stakeholders a National Transportation Strategy (NTS) has been developed through an extensive policy dialogue process. NTS has past the legislative process and presents a cornerstone of the transport sector development efforts of the 9th development plan of the Kingdom.

Project outcomes

· Developing an activity plan for reducing carbon emissions of the transport sector,

· Improving road safety by applying intelligent transport systems, and

· Making NTS a sustainable sector strategy though comprehensive monitoring and review.

What have we accomplished so far

A royal decree was issued in 2002 requesting the Ministry of Transport to develop a National Transportation Strategy (NTS) in coordination with other agencies related to the transport sector.

In the run-up to the issuance of the royal decree, MOT had made efforts to formulate a Strategic Vision and six Strategic Goals for NTS. In 2011 The NTS was approved and endorsed. The Ministry established a department for the follow-up and implementation of the NTS. Number of bi-annual NTS status Report has been finalized and published.

On the capacity development area more than 5 training session and workshops on Intelligent Transport System (ITS) operations and maintenance were held. Also, the final report on ITS design for Dammam Highway Traffics Management System has been submitted and approved; and a report on gap analysis and need assessment for safe road design has also been delivered to the Ministry.