How AI Verifies SHC 301 Design Speed Selection for Saudi Highways?

In Saudi Arabia, highway safety and operational efficiency depend heavily on selecting the correct design speed during the planning stage. The SHC 301 (Saudi Highway Code) sets precise guidelines for determining design speeds based on road function, terrain type, and expected traffic composition. Design speed governs every aspect of highway geometric design in Saudi Arabia including sight distance, curve radii, superelevation, and stopping distances.

However, verifying whether built roads comply with SHC 301 design speed criteria has traditionally been slow, manual, and prone to human oversight. This is where modern AI design audits are changing the game. By integrating advanced sensors, computer vision, and geospatial analytics within a digital road monitoring system, authorities can now evaluate geometric features automatically and ensure alignment with SHC 301 standards.

Understanding SHC 301 Design Speed Criteria

The SHC 301 design speed framework defines specific ranges of design speeds depending on:

• Road classification (expressways, arterials, collectors, local roads)
• Terrain category (flat, rolling, mountainous, desert)
• Traffic type and expected operating speeds
• Safety considerations like sight distance and stopping requirements

For example, expressways on flat terrain are typically designed for 120–140 km/h, while mountainous roads might be set at 60–80 km/h to maintain safety margins. These values directly influence horizontal curve radii, vertical curve lengths, lane widths, and shoulder requirements. Selecting a design speed below or above recommended ranges can compromise safety, cause unexpected braking behavior, and reduce road capacity.

‍

Why Verifying Design Speed Matters for Safety?

Many crashes in Saudi Arabia are linked to road geometry inconsistencies where operating speeds do not match the design speed. Sharp curves on high-speed roads or inadequate sight distance on steep grades create high-risk conflict zones.

Continuous AI-based road safety surveys can now detect such inconsistencies by analyzing speed-flow relationships, vehicle trajectory patterns, and near-miss events. This makes it possible to proactively identify areas where real-world behavior does not align with intended design speeds, enabling targeted upgrades before accidents occur.

‍

Role of AI in Design Speed Verification

RoadVision AI enables transportation authorities to run automated audits of road geometry and validate design speeds as per SHC 301. This involves:

• Capturing roadway alignment and elevation data through LiDAR and camera-based pavement condition surveys
• Building 3D digital twins and slope profiles of road corridors
• Using AI algorithms to measure curve radii, superelevation rates, vertical curve lengths, and cross slopes
• Comparing measured parameters against SHC 301 design speed charts
• Flagging segments where existing geometry does not support the intended speed

This approach eliminates manual subjectivity and ensures accurate, repeatable AI design audits across large road networks.

‍

Integrating Road Asset Data for Better Insights

Design speed verification is more powerful when linked with comprehensive asset data. Through road inventory inspections, authorities can map every road element including signage, guardrails, shoulders, and pavement markings. Combining this with geometry data allows engineers to see how infrastructure conditions affect operational speeds and safety performance.

When paired with traffic surveys, AI systems can also overlay actual speed distributions and traffic composition to verify whether the road environment supports the selected design speed. This closes the loop between planning assumptions and real-world behavior.

‍

Supporting Road Asset Management in Saudi Arabia

Verifying design speeds is also critical for effective road asset management in Saudi Arabia. By linking geometric conformity data with asset condition databases, municipalities and highway agencies can:

• Prioritize upgrades on high-risk segments
• Plan rehabilitation with correct design speeds in mind
• Avoid overdesign or underdesign that leads to wasted budgets
• Align projects with Saudi Vision 2030 infrastructure goals

This AI-driven approach positions RoadVision AI as the best road asset management company in Saudi Arabia, delivering proactive safety, optimized costs, and regulatory compliance at scale.

‍

Continuous Digital Road Monitoring for SHC 301 Compliance

Traditional one-time audits cannot ensure long-term compliance. AI-powered digital road monitoring systems offer continuous tracking of geometry and speed-related safety risks. As roads degrade or traffic volumes change, these systems detect when the operating environment drifts from original design assumptions. This supports continuous safety management and aligns with Saudi Arabia’s National Road Safety Strategy.

‍

Case-Driven Outcomes and Future Potential

Practical implementations of this technology are already showing success. Similar AI-based verification projects highlighted in the case studies section demonstrate major reductions in crash risk, shorter survey timelines, and improved capital planning. More insights on these emerging methods are also available in the blog section.

As Saudi Arabia rapidly expands its expressway and intercity highway network, integrating AI validation into every stage of design and maintenance will be essential to meet SHC 301 standards while ensuring long-term safety.

‍

Conclusion

Choosing the correct design speed is the foundation of safe and efficient highways. By applying automated design audits, AI-based road safety surveys, and digital road monitoring systems, Saudi authorities can verify compliance with SHC 301 design speed criteria quickly, accurately, and at scale. This approach enhances safety, reduces maintenance costs, and supports the goals of modern road asset management.

RoadVision AI is transforming infrastructure development and maintenance by harnessing artificial intelligence and computer vision AI to revolutionize road safety and management. By leveraging advanced computer vision artificial intelligence and digital twin technology, the platform enables the early detection of potholes, cracks, and other road surface issues, ensuring timely repairs and better road conditions. With a mission to build smarter, safer, and more sustainable roads, RoadVision AI tackles challenges like traffic congestion and ensures full compliance with IRC Codes and aligns with SHC 301 — Saudi Arabia’s official highway and infrastructure development codes. By empowering engineers and stakeholders with data-driven insights, the platform reduces costs, minimizes risks, and enhances the overall transportation experience.

If you are planning to implement AI-based SHC 301 compliance checks across your highway network, you can book a demo with us to see how RoadVision AI can support your projects.

‍

FAQs

‍

Q1. What is SHC 301 design speed and why is it important?

‍
It is the planned operating speed used to design highway geometry, ensuring safety and consistent vehicle behavior.

‍

Q2. How does AI verify design speed compliance?

‍
AI measures curves, grades, and sight distances from survey data, comparing them against SHC 301 design speed criteria.

‍

Q3. Can AI audits reduce accidents on Saudi highways?

‍
Yes, by detecting geometry inconsistencies early, AI audits help prevent crashes linked to unsafe design speeds.

‍