The Role of Corridor Planning in Saudi Arabia's Highway Development

As Saudi Arabia accelerates its infrastructure transformation under Vision 2030, efficient and future-ready highway development has become a national priority. One of the most critical and technical aspects of this process is corridor planning — a process that lays the spatial and design foundation for every successful highway project.

Corridor planning ensures optimal land allocation, environmental compatibility, and alignment with urban growth. It plays a vital role in reducing construction risks, land acquisition issues, and future expansion constraints. In Saudi Arabia, corridor planning is governed by detailed national guidelines, primarily outlined in the Saudi Highway Code (SHC 202) and mapping protocols such as the KSA-GRF17 framework.

This blog delves into the components, procedures, and importance of corridor planning in Saudi Arabia’s highway development process.

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What Is Corridor Planning?

Corridor planning refers to the strategic identification, mapping, and legal definition of a proposed transportation route. It involves determining the most efficient and sustainable path for highways and allocating an appropriate Right-of-Way (RoW) for present and future needs.

In Saudi Arabia, corridors are classified based on terrain type:

• Flat terrain: 300 meters corridor width
• Hilly terrain: 400 meters corridor width
• Mountainous terrain: 200 meters corridor width

This planning phase precedes the physical design of a highway and includes a combination of geospatial surveys, aerial imagery, legal boundaries, and topographic data.

Corridor Planning Under SHC 202

The SHC 202 document, part of Saudi Arabia’s official highway code, governs the methods and standards for mapping, land surveying, and design-level data collection for highway corridors. It integrates various data collection methods to support every design phase — from conceptual to final alignment.

SHC 202 outlines how surveys should be carried out using:

• Satellite and aerial imagery
• Orthophoto mosaics
• Digital Terrain Models (DTMs)
• Topographic maps from GASGI
• LiDAR and GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems)

These tools allow for high-precision mapping and geospatial accuracy, critical to Saudi Arabia's expansive and diverse terrain.

Stages of Corridor Planning in Saudi Highway Projects

1. Feasibility Stage

At this stage, planners evaluate potential routes using orthophoto imagery, satellite maps, and general terrain models. The aim is to identify broad corridors without committing to a final alignment. These initial maps often rely on data from GASGI (General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information) and Earth observation satellites.

2. Preliminary Design Stage

More refined data is collected using GNSS, mobile mapping systems, and LiDAR sensors mounted on vehicles or aircraft. The topography, vegetation, slope, and man-made obstacles are measured with greater precision. This data is used to propose possible horizontal and vertical alignments.

3. Detailed Design Stage

In this phase, terrestrial surveys, total stations, and ground control points (GCPs) are used for the most accurate measurements. The data output includes digital terrain models, 3D topography, and legally referenced cadastral data formatted in GeoTIFF, TIN, and shapefiles for CAD/GIS integration.

Land Acquisition and Legal Surveying

Corridor planning in Saudi Arabia places significant emphasis on cadastral surveying. Every parcel of land affected by a corridor must be clearly mapped, documented, and legally accounted for.

This includes:

• Identifying public vs. private boundaries
• Documenting ownership
• Placing boundary markers
• Submitting compensation reports

SHC 202 mandates that this information is verified through official land records, satellite-based cadastral systems, and field surveys.

Proper land acquisition planning helps avoid project delays due to legal disputes and ensures fair compensation, particularly in rapidly developing areas.

Digital Mapping and Data Submission Standards

Saudi Arabia has a robust geodetic framework:

• KSA-GRF17 (Geodetic Reference Framework)
• KSA-VRF14 (Vertical Reference Framework)

All corridor survey data must conform to these national standards and be submitted in specific digital formats like:

• .shp (ESRI shapefiles)
• .dxf/.dwg (AutoCAD)
• .pdf (for map previews)
• .txt/.csv (for control points and attribute tables)

This structured approach ensures interoperability across ministries and engineering consultants.

Why Corridor Planning Matters for Saudi Highway Development?

• Prevents land conflict by identifying and reserving the RoW early
• Improves road design quality with high-accuracy terrain data
• Reduces project delays due to better legal and geospatial preparation
• Supports sustainability by selecting environmentally feasible alignments
• Integrates smart transport infrastructure using precise geolocation standards

Conclusion

Corridor planning is a foundational element of Saudi Arabia’s highway infrastructure strategy. Guided by SHC 202 and advanced geospatial tools, it ensures that roads are built efficiently, legally, and with long-term development in mind. By investing in comprehensive surveys, digital models, and legal boundary management, Saudi Arabia is setting a global benchmark for modern, data-driven highway development.

As the country continues to expand its transport network under Vision 2030, smart corridor planning will remain at the core of safe, efficient, and future-proof infrastructure delivery.

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