How AI is Transforming Pavement Surveys and Pothole Detection in Saudi Arabia?

Introduction: A Nation Driving Toward Smarter Roads

Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure ambitions under Vision 2030 are clear: transform mobility, modernize logistics, and create safer, more efficient roads. The Kingdom maintains over 200,000 kilometers of highways and municipal roads, and this vast network is critical to national development. However, maintaining it presents major challenges—particularly in terms of road quality, pavement degradation, and increasing pothole complaints.

Manual inspection methods can no longer keep pace with the country’s rapid growth. This has created a pressing need for automated, data-driven, and scalable solutions. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as the answer, and platforms like RoadVision AI are leading the shift toward modern, AI-powered road management.

What Is RoadVision AI?

RoadVision AI is a Saudi-ready, AI-Based Road Management System designed to automate pavement condition surveys, detect potholes in real-time, and support smarter maintenance planning. It uses camera-equipped vehicles and deep learning algorithms to capture and analyze surface-level defects with speed and precision.

Unlike traditional surveys that are periodic and labor-intensive, RoadVision AI enables continuous monitoring of road health—empowering engineers and municipal authorities to act on real-time insights rather than reactive maintenance cycles.

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Why AI-Based Pavement Surveys Are Critical in Saudi Arabia?

The country’s road assets face a unique combination of stressors. These include high traffic volumes on logistics routes, extreme heat that accelerates asphalt fatigue, and sand erosion that damages shoulders and pavement joints. AI-based inspections are designed to overcome these conditions through:

• Automated detection of cracks, rutting, edge wear, and potholes
• High-frequency, consistent data collection across urban and remote areas
• Visual heatmaps and severity classification to prioritize repairs
• Integration with local asset management tools

With AI in infrastructure, Saudi authorities can move from reactive to preventive maintenance—saving time, reducing costs, and improving public safety.

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AI for Potholes: How It Works?

Potholes are a key cause of road failures and traffic accidents. RoadVision AI uses video feeds from moving vehicles to detect surface anomalies. The system’s computer vision road safety models classify potholes based on their size and depth, assign severity scores, and geotag each defect with GPS coordinates. These results are made available in real-time through a centralized dashboard, allowing for faster decision-making.

This proactive approach helps road maintenance teams identify dangerous areas before accidents or larger structural failures occur. It also supports municipal workflows by creating a digital record of all pavement defects detected.

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Alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Road Standards

RoadVision AI complies with road management protocols established by the Saudi Roads General Authority (RGA). The platform’s grading models and condition reporting systems are designed to align with Saudi Arabia’s existing pavement performance indices and quality standards.

It also supports key pillars of Vision 2030, including smart mobility, digital transformation in infrastructure, and improved service delivery through innovation. By using RoadVision AI, agencies and contractors can ensure inspection practices are consistent with national regulatory and performance requirements.

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Benefits for Saudi Road Engineers and Stakeholders

AI is not just a tool—it is a strategic enabler for engineers, contractors, and government entities managing the Kingdom’s road infrastructure. The benefits include:

• Real-time asset condition data that supports faster planning
• Objective, consistent inspection results with visual validation
• Automated pavement reports that reduce manual processing
• Reduced lifecycle costs through preventive maintenance strategies
• Scalable operations suitable for both local roads and national corridors

For engineering consultants and infrastructure developers, RoadVision AI also provides documentation and visual proof to support design reviews, rehabilitation decisions, and quality assurance.

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Scalable for Mega Projects and Urban Planning

RoadVision AI is designed to work across a variety of projects—whether in major cities like Riyadh and Jeddah or in newly developed zones such as NEOM. It is capable of inspecting thousands of kilometers of roadway using fleets equipped with dashcams, enabling scalable pavement assessments without disrupting traffic or daily operations.

The system also supports use during national events or seasonal logistics peaks, such as Hajj, when road quality and safety are critical to operational success.

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Built for Saudi Environments

Saudi Arabia’s environmental conditions require specialized tools. RoadVision AI’s visual analytics engine is built to function effectively in bright daylight, dusty weather, and on both asphalt and unpaved surfaces. Whether deployed in the deserts of the central region or the coastal roads of the Western Province, the platform provides reliable, high-accuracy data in real-world conditions.

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Supporting Vision 2030 Through Digital Infrastructure

As Saudi Arabia moves toward a diversified economy and digital-first public services, infrastructure monitoring must also evolve. RoadVision AI helps public and private stakeholders:

• Deliver safer, more sustainable roads
• Optimize budget allocation for road maintenance
• Build data-driven project pipelines
• Align with national objectives for digital transformation and smart cities

By digitizing road inspections and automating analysis, RoadVision AI is playing a vital role in achieving the country’s infrastructure modernization goals.

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Conclusion

The future of road infrastructure in Saudi Arabia is intelligent, connected, and data-driven. AI-powered platforms like RoadVision AI are enabling the Kingdom to shift from manual, periodic inspections to scalable, real-time pavement analysis. From early pothole detection to large-scale condition surveys, RoadVision AI supports the Ministry of Transport, the RGA, municipalities, and private contractors in delivering safer, more efficient, and sustainable road systems.

RoadVision AI is transforming road infrastructure development and maintenance with its innovative AI in road maintenance and AI in road construction solutions. By utilizing cutting-edge computer vision technology and digital twin models, the platform conducts comprehensive road safety audits, enabling the early detection of potholes, cracks, and other surface issues for timely repairs and enhanced road conditions. The use of AI in road safety also extends to traffic surveys, providing data-driven insights to tackle challenges like traffic congestion and optimize road usage. Focused on building smart roads, RoadVision AI ensures full compliance with IRC Codes, and aligns with SHC 101 and SHC 202 — Saudi Arabia’s official highway and infrastructure development codes — empowering engineers and stakeholders to reduce costs, minimize risks, and elevate road safety and transportation efficiency.

To explore how RoadVision AI can support your infrastructure initiatives in Saudi Arabia, book a demo with us.

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FAQs

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Q1. How does RoadVision AI detect pavement damage?

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RoadVision AI uses onboard cameras and deep learning models to identify cracks, potholes, and other surface defects in real time. The system classifies severity and location for each defect and delivers results on a central dashboard for immediate action.

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Q2. Is RoadVision AI compliant with Saudi road authorities?

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Yes. RoadVision AI is designed to align with the road inspection and reporting standards set by the Saudi Roads General Authority (RGA) and supports broader Vision 2030 infrastructure goals.

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Q3. What makes RoadVision AI suitable for Saudi Arabia?

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RoadVision AI is optimized for Saudi environments, including high temperatures, sandy regions, and high-volume corridors. It is scalable, accurate, and suitable for both public and private road inspection needs.

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