Beneath Bare Feet, Mecca Engineers Mercy

Saudi expands white roads to cool pilgrims’ path

• 82% expansion in cooled roads
• Walkways aid elderly, disabled
• Trees, mist enhance comfort

You Know What:
During Hajj, ground temperatures in Mecca can exceed 60°C under direct sun, posing serious risks of heatstroke for barefoot or thinly-shod pilgrims.

Mahir Haneef
TDT| Manama

Saudi Arabia has significantly expanded its cooled roads initiative in Mecca, offering critical relief to pilgrims as temperatures continue to rise across the region. The project, launched in 2023, has now grown by 82%, transforming over 84,000 square metres of pedestrian routes in Arafat using locally sourced, heat-reflective materials.

These specially developed surfaces reduce road temperature by nearly 12°C and reflect up to 40% more sunlight in the early hours, helping mitigate the effects of urban heat islands while cutting down on energy use and pollution.

Accessibility focus

Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser, Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Roads General Authority, inaugurated the upgraded stretch of the ‘White Road’ project, which includes new features aimed at enhancing mobility for individuals with disabilities.

A 4,000-metre accessibility path leading to Mount Arafat was unveiled as part of the initiative. The path is surfaced with cooled materials designed to minimise vibrations, allowing easier navigation for wheelchair users and those with mobility challenges.

Rubber roads, green corridor

The expansion also includes a 33% increase in flexible rubber walkways, designed to soften the ground beneath pilgrims' feet. Extending from Namira Mosque to Arafat Train Station, the upgraded stretch brings the total rubber-paved area to 16,000 square metres. Testing by the Road Research Centre confirmed the material’s safety and comfort, especially for elderly pilgrims.

To further ease the journey, a green corridor project now lines a 1,200-metre stretch of the route with trees and shade. Cooling mist systems and water fountains, installed in collaboration with the Abdulrahman Fakieh Charitable Foundation, have been added to lower ambient temperatures and improve air quality.

Global ranking goals

The Roads General Authority aims to position Saudi Arabia among the top six countries globally in road quality by 2030. The Kingdom already leads in intercity connectivity with a network exceeding 73,000 kilometres and is working to reduce road fatalities to fewer than five per 100,000 people.

The expanded initiative reflects Saudi Arabia’s ongoing push to blend innovation, accessibility, and safety into its transport infrastructure, particularly during high-density pilgrimage seasons.