A smart system for surveillance of falling rocks to be introduced on the road along the mountain pass in Hada in Taif

The Roads General Authority declared that a smart system for monitoring falling boulders on the road near the mountain pass in Hada, Taif, will be implemented on an experimental basis. This is a component of the authority's endeavours to uphold contemporary technology in the transportation industry, enhance road safety, and protect pilgrims' safety. 

According to the authorities, six artificial intelligence-enhanced cameras have been placed along Hada Road to watch for the first signs of rock fall from the surrounding hilly areas. 

The cameras will monitor any movement of rocks and provide immediate signals to block the road, allowing the mountain pass entry gate to be closed in less than 60 seconds. When falling pebbles are spotted, the system may be connected to the appropriate authorities to notify them immediately. The smart system was implemented to achieve its goal in the road sector, which focuses on quality, traffic density, and safety.

By 2030, the authority wants to get Saudi Arabia's road quality index up to the sixth rank in the world and bring the country's fatality rate down to less than five instances per 100,000 inhabitants.