Statistics on vehicle traffic through the roads of the Holy Mosque in Mecca during Ramadan
The General Authority for Roads in Saudi Arabia announced exceptional statistics reflecting the success of its operational plans. Traffic through the roads leading to the Holy Mosque in Mecca exceeded 2.79 million vehicles during the period from the 1st to the 28th of Ramadan. These figures underscore the high level of preparedness of the infrastructure and the efficiency of the specialized technical staff who worked around the clock to serve the pilgrims, contributing to safe and smooth access for Umrah performers and worshippers throughout the holy month.
Infrastructure development and preparation of roads leading to the Holy Mosque in Mecca
Historically, since its unification, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has placed great importance on developing transportation networks leading to Mecca and Medina. With the increasing number of Muslims performing Umrah and Hajj each year, the old routes have been transformed into a modern highway network that ranks among the best in the Middle East. This historical development was not merely about paving roads, but also included the construction of advanced bridges and tunnels to traverse the complex mountainous terrain surrounding Mecca. Today, the roads leading to the Holy Mosque in Mecca serve as a vital artery connecting the holy city to various regions of the Kingdom and border crossings, facilitating easy access to the holy sites for travelers from within the Kingdom and the Gulf countries.
Record numbers in average daily traffic
According to statistics released by the authority, the average daily traffic volume during this period was approximately 106,000 vehicles. Thursday, the 16th of Ramadan, saw the highest peak traffic volume, with around 126,000 vehicles passing through. The authority attributed this noticeable smoothness in traffic flow to early and intensive preparations, which included surveying and assessing the road network in the Makkah and Madinah regions, as well as the roads leading to the Two Holy Mosques, which extend for more than 16,000 kilometers.
The strategic impact of developing transport and communication networks
The successful management of these millions of pilgrims and their massive traffic is of paramount importance and has a far-reaching impact at the local, regional, and international levels. Locally, this success enhances the quality of life and supports the national economy by revitalizing the religious tourism, hospitality, and transportation sectors. Regionally, it solidifies the Kingdom's position as a leading logistics hub capable of efficiently managing the largest human gatherings. Internationally, it reflects the Kingdom's positive image in serving Islam and Muslims, and sends a reassuring message to millions of Muslims worldwide that their journey to the Holy Land will be safe and comfortable thanks to the continuous modernization of infrastructure.
Global safety standards and achieving the goals of Vision 2030
The General Authority for Roads' efforts have not been limited to facilitating traffic flow; they have also included implementing the highest international traffic safety standards, maintaining roads using the latest technologies, and continuously monitoring to ensure the safety of road users. The Authority affirms its ongoing commitment to developing and improving the road network to meet the needs of visitors and pilgrims throughout the year. These significant efforts directly contribute to achieving the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to host 30 million Umrah pilgrims by 2030. The roads sector strategy also aims to elevate the Kingdom's ranking to sixth globally in the road quality index, reduce the road fatality rate to less than 5 deaths per 100,000 people, ensure the network meets the safety standards of the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP), and maintain advanced capacity levels for the traffic network.
