RIYADH — Events that transpired following the COVID-19 outbreak have altered many long-standing habits from the pre-pandemic era, with various sectors implicated in the widespread change. Within the mobility sector, many passengers now favor transport modes perceived as safer and more hygienic, and have shifted their usage accordingly.

Arthur D. Little (ADL), the leading management consultancy firm with the longest-standing presence in the Middle East region, elaborates on this and many other findings in their new Autonomous Mobility Journal, the series’ third edition.

The journal comprises exclusive coverage of the latest autonomous mobility developments worldwide, shedding light on industry dynamics, prominent use cases, and the vitality for mobility solution providers and governments to anticipate future trends.

“The ongoing pandemic has instigated sizeable disruption in various industries and transportation has not been exempt for this trend. Numerous lessons can be derived from recent events, which is why focusing on latest developments and future landscapes is even more important,” explained Joseph Salem, partner, and travel & transport practice lead, at Arthur D. Little Middle East.

“The latest Autonomous Mobility report reveals that city governments and transport authorities can have the greatest impact on mobility and this is something that implicates Saudi Arabia (KSA), with the country’s transportation sector now witnessing several groundbreaking autonomous mobility projects unfolding.”

Many countries worldwide are now racing towards a more future-oriented and user-centric transport ecosystem, with Saudi Arabia well-positioned to become a global leader in this field through Saudi Vision 2030, which has set an ambitious blueprint for the future.

With successful economic growth and diversification while rendering increased focus on non-oil industries a topmost priority, the Kingdom’s transportation sector has exhibited robust development accordingly through increasingly practical autonomous vehicle (AV) plans.

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has become an established autonomous mobility pioneer having launched the Kingdom’s first AV on its campus in 2019.

With Saudi Public Transport Co. (SAPTCO) providing operational expertise and Local Motors and EasilyMile offering science and technology expertise, KAUST has paved the way for AV piloting within the Kingdom and emphasized the importance of robust strategic partnerships in AV deployment projects.

Additionally, AVs are also central to the Kingdom’s $500 billion NEOM smart city project, where a team of designers, engineers, and technicians are designing a fully autonomous transportation system. The project is in a relatively nascent stage of a five-year development plan.

However, it aims to achieve the highest level of autonomy while thriving in KSA’s terrain, overcoming weathering conditions such as rain, fog, or sandstorms. Such efforts towards tailored solutions for KSA’s specific needs are contributing to creating a successful enabling environment for AV deployment.

“Saudi Arabia identified the need for more sustainable, resilient, and human-centric urban mobility systems several years ago. Therefore, the recent success of related projects across the country is not surprising,” said Salem.

“Innovation has been the key driver behind autonomous mobility development at the national level, and the convergence of innovative approaches with futuristic thinking and the latest technologies is an approach sure to enable further mobility progression that benefits Saudi society for generations to come.”

Developed in line with research conducted regionally and internationally, the publication provides audiences with a comprehensive overview of the latest groundbreaking projects set to have a transformational impact across the urban landscape in the coming years.

Autonomous Mobility Journal details the strategic elements critical to these projects, providing recommendations on how transport authorities can streamline their operational launch efforts. The Middle East is a primary region that Arthur D. Little has examined.

Autonomous Mobility Journal also explains that up to one-third of people in some cities have stopped using public transport because of the COVID-19 pandemic, with lockdowns, the rise of remote working, and stay-home orders resulting in commuting volume reductions.

In a post-pandemic scenario, some of the measures that have been implemented will be dropped accordingly if passenger behavior shifts back to previous habits, while others might remain as part of the new normal. — SG