Saudi Road Code: New regulations for building parking and pedestrian safety
The General Authority for Roads announced the activation of a set of binding regulations and new technical requirements related to the planning and design of parking areas for public and private buildings and facilities, based on the standards of the Saudi Road Code. This strategic step aims primarily to enhance pedestrian safety, eliminate haphazard parking that mars the urban landscape, and ensure smooth traffic flow within Saudi cities, in accordance with the latest global practices in road engineering.
Standardization and improving the efficiency of urban planning
The implementation of these regulations comes within the framework of the Kingdom's efforts to unify technical standards for roads, as the road sector was previously subject to multiple authorities with varying standards. The "Saudi Road Code" is now the comprehensive and sole technical reference for all relevant entities, including ministries, municipalities, and regional development authorities. This unification aims to create a cohesive infrastructure that ensures the highest levels of safety and quality, and puts an end to the era of individual interpretations in planning entrances and exits for commercial and residential buildings, which previously caused traffic congestion and pedestrian accidents.
Smart controls for parking and public transport locations
The new code emphasizes the need to provide parking spaces in locations where genuine and well-considered need exists, with a particular focus on areas surrounding public transport stations. The regulations stipulate that parking locations must be strategically chosen to avoid obstructing traffic on main roads and to prevent pedestrians from having to cross highways or main roads in a way that endangers their lives. This approach directly supports the modern public transport systems being developed in Saudi cities, such as the Riyadh Bus Project and metro projects, by facilitating safe access for passengers.
Humanizing cities and embracing future technologies
These standards go beyond simply regulating parking; they contribute to "humanizing cities." The regulations mandate a safe environment that considers pedestrian and cyclist movement at parking entrances and exits, thus helping to reduce traffic accidents and enhance public safety. Furthermore, the code is forward-looking, incorporating sustainable environmental considerations and the necessary infrastructure for autonomous vehicles, reflecting the Kingdom's readiness to adopt future technologies in the transportation sector.
Towards sixth place globally
Through these updated regulations, the General Authority for Roads seeks to improve the quality of life and experience of road users, and to enhance the efficiency of the national road network. These efforts contribute to achieving the strategic objective of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to position the Kingdom sixth globally in the road quality index, while maintaining its current leading position as the world's first in road network connectivity.
