From Standards to Field Operations: Integrated System to Protect Road Network, Enhance Its Sustainability

 The Roads General Authority (RGA) continues to develop an integrated system to protect the road network and enhance its operational efficiency. The system combines unified technical standards, field inspections, modern maintenance technologies, and investment opportunities associated with road rights-of-way. These efforts support infrastructure sustainability, improve the experience of road users, and strengthen the sector's contribution to achieving Saudi Vision 2030 objectives.
 The system encompasses activities and initiatives addressing road requirements throughout their life cycle, from design and construction to operation, maintenance, and the management of environmental factors. This approach links construction quality with continuous road maintenance and the preservation of operational efficiency.
 The Saudi Highway Code forms the technical foundation of these efforts. It establishes comprehensive standards covering the road life cycle and provides a unified reference for entities responsible for road planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance. These include ministries, city development authorities, regional municipalities, and city and governorate municipalities. The code also takes into account safety requirements, environmental standards, economic efficiency, and sustainability.
 At the field level, combating sand encroachment and accumulation is part of maintaining the network's readiness. In 2025, the RGA removed approximately 48.4 million cubic meters of sand from road rights-of-way. The work aimed to improve maintenance standards, reduce operational risks, and enhance traffic safety on affected roads.
 Alongside sand removal operations, the authority has deployed robotic solutions to clean culverts of accumulated mud, sand, and waste. This technology supports the maintenance of these structures and enables work in confined, low-clearance spaces that are difficult to access using conventional methods. The robot can adjust its height above the ground to enter culverts with limited clearance and operate in enclosed spaces, reducing the need for personnel to enter hazardous environments. The technology demonstrates how a specific field requirement can be addressed while improving maintenance working conditions.
 This integrated approach is part of the RGA's efforts to achieve the objectives of the Road Sector Program and ensure that the network is equipped with road safety features in accordance with the International Road Assessment Programme's classification. These efforts enhance the network's sustainability and its role in supporting development and the movement of people and goods.