King Abdullah Financial District to be equipped with smart traffic and mobility solutions

King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), the largest LEED Platinum-certified mixed-use business center in the world, is set to be furnished with smart traffic and mobility solutions.

King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Company (KAFD DMC) has already awarded contract for the project which will serve as a model for other smart city projects across the Kingdom. The contract was awarded to SCAI (Saudi Company for Artificial Intelligence), a company founded with the aim of positioning KSA as a global AI leader by offering innovative transformational solutions.

For the KAFD project, SCAI will develop a Smart Traffic Management (STM) platform that will help streamline traffic flow monitoring through a data-driven approach. The platform will not only provide ready access to real-time and predictive traffic information but also serve as the basis for a robust data analytics system.

In addition, SCAI will help integrate a Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platform that utilizes user transportation patterns to inform future planning. The platform will be linked with prominent public and private transportation providers and integrate seamlessly with other KAFD digital solutions. As a result, it will deliver an optimized end-user experience for visitors, residents, and tenants alike.

The smart traffic and mobility solutions project is part of KAFD’s comprehensive smart city strategy. The strategy aims to integrate and intelligently manage key infrastructures as well as enhance operation and cost efficiency. Additionally, it seeks to create a world-class customer experience by offering streamlined digital access to KAFD services.

Cutting-edge waste management solutions to be adopted at the King Abdullah Financial District

Approximately a week prior to the announcement of KAFD DMC and SCAI partnership, the former had also announced another partnership with Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC). The partnership with SIRC seeks to promote waste management solutions in line with Saudi Vision 2030. SIRC will thus install multiple recycling vending machines in KAFD for the collection of food waste in a tailored trial for Riyadh’s prime business district.

Ziyad Al-Shiha, the CEO of the Saudi Investment Recycling Company, expressed his satisfaction in the partnership. He said, “We are pleased to partner with KAFD DMC. This collaboration represents a significant step toward establishing a robust partnership with the objective of advancing the recycling industry as well as advocating for the principles of the circular economy. We are confident that the KAFD DMC and SIRC partnership will play a key role in addressing the challenges of climate change and reducing harmful emissions in Saudi Arabia and beyond.”

Gautam Sashittal, the CEO of KAFD DMC, on the other hand, said, “Sustainability lies at the core of King Abdullah Financial District’s principles. SIRCs’ advanced and pioneering solutions align with KAFD DMC objectives. With this partnership, we, therefore, aim to support the national goals of the Saudi Green Initiative. This will be achieved by raising the waste diversion rate from landfills to 94 per cent come the year 2035 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the city. Consequently, we will contribute to livability and overall quality of life in King Abdullah Financial District.”