Key Highlights of SHC 101: Unified Highway Standards in Saudi Arabia

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The Saudi Highway Code (SHC) 101 lays the groundwork for establishing unified highway standards in Saudi Arabia. Here are the key highlights:

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Introduction to SHC 101

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• SHC 101 is part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, aiming to modernize the national highway network to meet growing travel demands and ensure safety, efficiency, and sustainability.
• The unified standards address gaps in existing highway standards, streamline fragmented responsibilities among various authorities, and incorporate international best practices, primarily AASHTO standards.

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Scope and Application

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• The SHC applies to all phases of highway lifecycle: planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance.
• It ensures harmonized development for highways, bridges, and tunnels, improving safety, quality, and efficiency across the country.

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Framework and Development Process

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• SHC 101 emphasizes consultation with subject-matter experts, legal professionals, and stakeholders to ensure technical and procedural consistency.
• The development process was divided into four work packages (WPs):some text
  1. Preliminary Studies: Reviewing current standards and identifying areas for improvement.
  2. Technical Reference Identification: Benchmarking against global best practices.
  3. Drafting the Code: Organized into thematic categories such as planning, design, construction, and maintenance.
  4. Digital Platform: Development of an official SHC website for accessibility.

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Organization and Content

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• The SHC comprises 25 volumes, organized into seven thematic categories:some text

• Planning and Preliminary Studies (e.g., traffic forecasting, geotechnical analysis).
• Design of Highways, Bridges, and Tunnels (e.g., geometric design, landscape planting).
• Construction (e.g., highways, bridges, utilities).
• Maintenance and Management (e.g., pavement and bridge systems).
• Traffic Engineering and Road Safety (e.g., road safety audits, traffic devices).
• Environmental Aspects (e.g., sustainability considerations).
• Autonomous Vehicles (e.g., standards for emerging technologies).

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Key Features

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1. Uniform Standards:some text
   • SHC eliminates inconsistencies in design, construction, and safety protocols across regions.
2. Comprehensive Coverage:some text
   • It includes guidelines for rural, urban, and industrial highways, bridges, and tunnels.
3. Quality Assurance:some text
   • Clear procedures for publishing, updating, and maintaining quality standards are established.
4. Future-Proofing:some text
   • Provisions for autonomous vehicles, sustainability, and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).

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Conclusion

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The Saudi Highway Code is a significant step toward enhancing the Kingdom’s infrastructure, ensuring safety, sustainability, and alignment with Vision 2030. It serves as a unified reference for engineers, stakeholders, and policymakers to develop a world-class highway network.