Smart transportation planning and its challenges in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

In the 21st century, transport has become an essential factor defining countries' progress or failure. The century has also witnessed a shift from conventional styles of transport to modernized and smart models that facilitate the effective movement of people between various destinations. Smart transportation refers to an approach that integrates modern technologies into the transportation system to enhance urban mobility efficiency. This paper examined the cornerstones and benefits of smart transportation planning and analyzed the challenges of implementing smart transportation in the KSA. The methodology comprises identifying, screening and analyzing the peer-reviewed articles on smart transportation in KSA. Databases such as Elsevier, Google Scholar, and Springer and Science Direct were used. During the assessment, it became evident that safety, convenience, and speed are the factors that inspire KSA to shift towards smart transport. Smart transportation is beneficial as it provides employment opportunities, encourages investments and improves people's living standards. The findings offered helpful insights regarding the different issues that affect the effective implementation of smart transportation systems in KSA, including lack of resources, regulatory framework and skilled personnel. The recommendations that are evident from the study comprise stakeholder involvement and intensive planning. The country must adopt policy-driven strategies, standardization, and inclusive development with clear private, public, and research collaboration commitments. Close adherence to these recommendations will help KSA attain the benefits of smart transportation systems.