Enhancing road safety and infrastructure development in the MENA region: challenges, initiatives, and future directions

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region - including 21 countries and territories: six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) and 15 additional countries or territories: Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Yemen, Syria, Tunisia, and the West Bank and Gaza [1] - faces unique challenges in road design and safety due to diverse geographic conditions, rapid urbanization, and varying levels of infrastructure development. With a mix of highly urbanized areas and vast desert regions, road networks must accommodate both densely populated cities and remote rural areas, all while contending with extreme environmental factors like high temperatures and sandstorms. Despite significant investments in large-scale infrastructure projects, road safety remains a pressing concern, with high accident rates often attributed to poor road design, inadequate safety measures, and behavioral issues such as speeding and non-compliance with traffic laws. This paper explores the complexities of road design in the MENA region, highlighting the influence of climate, technology, and urbanization, while also examining the critical issues surrounding road safety, including governance, public awareness, and the role of smart transportation systems. By analyzing case studies and best practices, this paper aims to offer a comprehensive view of how the region can improve its road infrastructure and safety standards to meet the growing demands of its population and economy.