Latest news with #Sawaher
Arab News
6 days ago
- Arab News
Saudi AI system enhances Hajj security, management
MAKKAH: The Saudi Data and AI Authority has supported government efforts for this year's Hajj season through its Sawaher system, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday. Sawaher was developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and uses data and AI technology to analyze broadcasts, video recordings, and images captured by smart cameras. The initiative enhances analytical capabilities and contributes to a safer Hajj experience, the SPA reported. The system helps manage and analyze large datasets and produces tailored analysis of pilgrims' behavior. It 'uses advanced algorithms for density and crowd counting, supporting government agencies in implementing Hajj plans and estimating pilgrim numbers.' The system also provides real-time updates. For Hajj, more than 5,000 cameras have been integrated into the Sawaher system, covering more than 80 permanent and seasonal locations across the holy sites and key entry points. This network supports the work of 18 government agencies and more than 600 personnel, according to the SPA. The system offers more than 80 services and is operable on 100 workstations in operations rooms and monitoring centers, contributing to improved response efficiency during the Hajj season.
Arab News
26-03-2025
- Arab News
Saudi AI chief reviews crowd management tech in Makkah
RIYADH: Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority President Abdullah Al-Ghamdi has visited the Grand Mosque Operations Center in Makkah, the Saudi Press Agency reported. He met the director of Public Security and chairman of the Hajj Security Committee, Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami, along with several security officials and Saudi programmers from the authority working at the center. Al-Ghamdi reviewed the operations of the Baseer platform, developed by the authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, represented by Public Security. The platform uses computer vision and AI to monitor and analyze the movement of visitors to the Grand Mosque, ensuring smooth crowd management and assisting in locating missing persons. He also reviewed the Sawaher platform, designed to enhance the safety of the Grand Mosque, contributing to a secure and smart environment that facilitates worshippers and Umrah performers in performing their rituals seamlessly. Al-Ghamdi also visited the Highway Security Center in Al-Shumaisi, where he was briefed on the Banan device, which enhances identity verification using biometric features. He observed the center's operations, the command room and the advanced technology used in the Saudi Lucid vehicle, which is equipped with AI tools.
Arab News
27-02-2025
- Business
- Arab News
How Saudi Arabia is using advanced automated systems to tackle traffic congestion
RIYADH: Congestion is a major concern for residents of Saudi Arabia's cities. Commuters in Riyadh alone lose an average of 52 hours in traffic annually, according to a 2024 estimate. While projects like the Riyadh Metro, which opened the last of its lines in January, are doing their part to ease the flow of cars, the city's population is still projected to grow from around 8 million today to 9.6 million in 2030, presenting further challenges. The Saudi Data and AI Authority, in collaboration with government entities, has developed several systems that generate vast amounts of information on road traffic, ranging from a macro, citywide level to individual streets. One of these is the Sawaher system, a national platform designed to analyze streams of images and videos using artificial intelligence and computer vision, providing real-time insights. One of its key use cases is in traffic management. Another is the Smart C platform, which leverages data and artificial intelligence technologies to monitor, analyze, and predict operational indicators, supporting decision-making in smart city management. 'Riyadh is becoming a very busy city, so we need to be innovative, we need to act fast,' Mohammed Al-Buqami, general manager of product development at SDAIA's Estishraf, told Arab News. The system developed by SDAIA analyzes data in detail, identifying accident hotspots and comparing seasonal fluctuations. Areas with a high number of fatal accidents are assessed for whether or not signage or road infrastructure can be improved to cut down on collisions. 'Ramadan specifically will have different spots than any other month in the year,' Al-Buqami said, as working hours and commuting patterns shift during the holy month. When a recent event in Riyadh attracted a huge number of visitors, it caused a ripple effect of congestion. That is why SDAIA, in collaboration with government entities, decided to develop a new tool 'to ensure that traffic at the gate does not cause congestion in the surrounding area or impact major roads,' Al-Buqami said. Looking to the future and problems that may arise from a rising population, SDAIA is working to introduce new technologies, and recently carried out a bootcamp for budding AI experts who came up with the idea for a robot that detects cracks, potholes, and puddles on the city's roads, as well as an automated accident response system. While SDAIA is on the cutting edge of data analytics and automated traffic management, the Kingdom has been implementing advanced technology solutions for road safety for more than a decade. Saher, the automated penalty system, was developed in 2009 and launched the following year by the Ministry of Interior, using a network of cameras and radars. When cameras detect a violation such as speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, texting while driving, or other such offenses, the system retrieves the vehicle owner's details from the database and automatically issues a fine sent to the driver via SMS. 'The Saher system illustrates how AI and automation can revolutionize traffic enforcement and improve road safety,' Hasan Al-Ahmadi, associate professor at the Department of Civil Engineering at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, told Arab News. Saher operates continuously, ensuring consistent enforcement of traffic laws without relying on human oversight. • By the end of 2023, Saudi Arabia had 15.1 million roadworthy vehicles — a 6.2 percent increase from 2022. • In 2016, the country's road traffic fatality rate was 28.8 per 100,000 people. • Vision 2030 reforms have cut road deaths by 54 percent, dropping to 13.6 per 100,000 from 2016 to 2023. It can identify and track road users moving through cities, automatically recognizing number plates and allowing law enforcement officers to pinpoint stolen or wanted vehicles. Saher cameras are placed at regular intervals and their watchful eye can detect infractions as minor as changing lanes excessively or not leaving enough room between vehicles. The system uses machine learning to study driver behaviors over time, identifying trends such as habitual speeding or repeated violations. Insights from this analysis are used for educational campaigns or stricter penalties for repeat offenders, said Al-Ahmadi, who has published a number of research papers on automation and road safety in Saudi Arabia. The professor noted that a number of studies have shown decreases of up to 30 percent in speeding violations and red-light infractions since Saher was introduced. In Dammam, accident rates dropped by approximately 20 percent, while congestion was reduced by around 20 percent in Dammam and Jeddah. Meanwhile, studies also show that emergency response times improved by between 20-30 percent, Al-Ahmadi said. In 2016, road accidents were the leading cause of death in Saudi Arabia. A total of 21 people were killed in crashes every day — almost one every hour. These findings spurred the government into action. By 2023, fatal accidents had fallen by 54 percent. Data and analytics were a key part of this success, with the number of road cameras increasing by 320 percent from 2016 to 2021, according to a World Health Organization report. Analyzing data from the country's death registry also played a part. Al-Ahmadi sees a future where even more advanced technology can play a part in making Saudi Arabia's roads safer. Drone technology could be used for real-time traffic monitoring in areas with limited camera coverage, he said. Integrating intersection management systems with self-driving vehicles could be another advanced solution. Al-Ahmadi also suggested that monitoring technology could be upgraded to analyze drivers' facial expressions, blink rates, and head movements to detect fatigue or distraction. As Saudi Arabia moves towards a more sustainable society, automated systems could also monitor vehicle emissions and impose penalties in high-pollution zones, Al-Ahmadi added. While the Kingdom's cities continue to grow at a rapid rate, the problem of congestion and road safety is not going anywhere. However, with a combination of automated technology and continuous monitoring, as well as the introduction of new infrastructure projects, officials have found early success in reducing fatalities and look poised to keep the issue at bay.
