Saudi Arabia
Riyadh
UMR Index Rank
#53
(+4)
Score: 35%
Sustainable Mobility
#67
(+2)
Score: 30.9%
Public Transit
#67
(+2)
Score: 26.2%
Technology Adoption
#51
Score: 25.0%
| Population | 8.0 million |
| Surface area (km2) | 1,673 |
| Population-density (people/km2) | 4,821 |
| GDP per capita ($) | 31,846 |
UMR Index Rank
#53
(+4)
Score: 35%
Sustainable Mobility
#65
(+2)
Score: 30.9%
Public Transit
#67
(+2)
Score: 26.2%
Technology Adoption
#51
Score: 25.0%
What Riyadh Does Well In Urban Mobility
Riyadh has a large road network and the government is making major investments to enhance its quality and interconnectivity. As part of its Vision 2030 plan, the government intends to enhance over 500 kilometers (311 miles) of roads in the capital to improve traffic fluidity and decrease commute times. The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) awarded SAR13 billion ($3.5 billion) in 2024 to four major construction projects focused on developing the city’s main and ring roads.
Riyadh’s adoption of connected and autonomous vehicles is high relative to other cities of similar rank. The Transportation General Authority set an ambitious target of having 25% of transport vehicles be autonomous in Saudi Arabia by 2030. The government laid the foundations in 2024 by adopting new road code standards for autonomous vehicles. Currently in a testing phase, the code is expected to become binding by early 2025.
Urban Mobility Readiness Index, Sustainable Mobility, Public Transit, and Technology Adoption scores
Source: Oliver Wyman Forum and University of California, Berkeley
Challenges And Opportunities For Riyadh’s Transportation System
Like its peer Jeddah, Riyadh is investing in traffic safety to reduce fatalities with a new goal of under five for every 100,000 inhabitants by 2030. The Saudi Road Code includes measures to control speeds on urban roads, increase tunnel safety, and establish requirements for transporting hazardous materials.
Public transit in Riyadh is underutilized, in part because of the limited hours of operation and the long distances many residents must travel to transit stops. However, the King Abdulaziz Project promises a major upgrade of public transit. A new metro, expected to begin operation in 2025, will have six lines spanning more than 176 kilometers (109 miles) with 84 stations. The project also includes more than 800 buses run on 80 lines covering more than 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles). Once operational, this offering can encourage residents to increase their public transit use. This initiative aligns with RCRC’s ambition to boost the modal share of public transit and enhance congestion management.
Dimensions of the Urban Mobility Readiness Index score
Source: Oliver Wyman Forum and University of California, Berkeley
How Riyadh Can Improve Its Urban Mobility Performance
Despite nationwide investments to encourage electric vehicle (EV) adoption and charging infrastructure installation, the use of electric buses as part of a zero-emission bus offering is lagging. A company inaugurated an electric bus for its employees in August 2024, but as of 2024 there are no public e-buses in Riyadh’s fleet. Acquiring more electric buses will help the country achieve its Vision 2030 plan to cut carbon emissions in half by 2030.
As in much of the Gulf region, many residents prefer to use private cars leading to high congestion levels. The city can improve traffic fluidity by introducing a congestion fee or enhancing last-mile connectivity with innovative solutions. It can also promote active modes of mobility, including cycling. While the hot climate acts as a deterrent, the lack of suitable infrastructure also discourages adoption. To improve, Riyadh can build cycling lanes with safety features such as buffers and specialized cyclist traffic lights. As part of the Sports Boulevard project, Riyadh wants to create 220 kilometers (137 miles) of cycling paths to connect eastern and western areas of the city. Riyadh also can invest in bike-sharing programs, emphasizing e-bikes to overcome some of the challenges of the hot climate. The city can consider subsidies for bike and e-bike purchases to encourage adoption.
Urban Mobility Readiness Index relative ranking evolution (2020-2024)
Source: Oliver Wyman Forum and University of California, Berkeley