The General Authority for Roads in Saudi Arabia announced the implementation of a new set of mandatory regulations for planning parking areas in public and private buildings and facilities, based on the technical standards outlined in the Saudi Roads Code. This strategic step aims to enhance pedestrian safety and reduce haphazard parking, which mars the urban landscape, thereby improving the efficiency of the urban road network and smoother traffic flow within Saudi cities.
General context and importance of the Saudi road code
This measure comes within the framework of the Kingdom's efforts to unify technical standards for roads, as the "Saudi Road Code" serves as the comprehensive and sole technical reference for all relevant entities, including ministries, municipalities, and regional development authorities. Prior to the code's implementation, specifications varied among different entities, creating a pressing need for a unified reference that ensures quality and sustainability. The code forms a fundamental pillar for achieving the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, particularly those related to the Quality of Life Program, by creating a human-friendly urban environment that encourages walking and the use of alternative transportation methods.
Details of the new parking regulations
The updated code emphasizes the need to provide parking spaces in locations where there is a genuine and well-considered need, with a particular focus on areas surrounding public transport stations. The requirements include selecting strategic parking locations where entrances and exits do not obstruct traffic on main roads or force pedestrians to cross highways or main roads in a way that endangers their lives. These standards aim to complement the major public transport projects underway in the Kingdom, such as bus and metro networks in major cities.
Expected impact: A safer environment and a higher quality of life
These standards are expected to bring about a significant improvement in road safety, as they focus strictly on ensuring the safe movement of pedestrians and cyclists at parking area entrances and exits. This direct regulation will contribute to reducing pedestrian and cyclist accidents, thus raising the overall safety levels for all road users. Furthermore, the parking regulations will reduce congestion caused by searching for parking spaces or double parking, positively impacting the local economy by decreasing travel times and fuel consumption.
Future Foresight and Smart Infrastructure
Looking ahead, the code does not overlook technical and environmental aspects; its requirements take into account sustainable environmental considerations and the necessary infrastructure for autonomous vehicles. This approach reflects the Kingdom's readiness to adopt future technologies in the transportation sector, placing Saudi Arabia's infrastructure among the most technologically advanced nations.
Through these updated regulations and the application of the latest engineering solutions, the General Authority for Roads seeks to improve the efficiency of the national network, in order to achieve the ambitious strategic goal of reaching the Kingdom’s sixth place globally in the road quality index by 2030, while maintaining a balance between the need for public facilities and ensuring smooth traffic flow within the urban fabric of cities.
