Update – Road system changes have been completed.
The HSE Road Safety Working Group and partner departments work in support of a strong road safety culture and the Four Pillars of Road Safety.
The roads surrounding The KAUST School (TKS) have been identified as an area that would benefit from additional road safety measures due to the high volume of vehicles during the school day and high number of predominantly young road users using different modes of transportation traveling to and from TKS. As a result, the TKS Road System Enhancement Project, sponsored by HSE, was initiated in collaboration with TKS and Facilities Management.
TKS Road Safety System Enhancement Goals
The aim is to improve road safety around the school for the many cyclists, scooters and pedestrians and encourage micro-mobility by:
- Creating a dedicated two-way cycle lane and one-way traffic zones around TKS in the Garden residential district.
- Creating dedicated lanes to segregate motorists from cyclists.
- Encourage alternatives to cars, reducing vehicular traffic around TKS.
Changes to the current road system around TKS
The map above shows the planned changes, which are:
- · The current vehicular loop will be converted to a counterclockwise one-way for vehicles in the outer lane.
- · The inner lane will be a dedicated two-way lane for cycling and “micro-mobility” that includes e-bikes and e-scooters. All other modes of transport, including gas scooters and golf carts, must only use the outer lane the same as cars.
- · Nakhil Lane, between TKS and the Gardens Daycare/FCSC, will be closed to all traffic.
- Speed changes to the road system, when children are present.
Keeping KAUST Safe will require extra vigilance while we adapt to these changes:
- Be extra alert when changes are made. Initially, it may take time to get used to the changes.
- Be on the lookout for new signage and drive slower than normal during this time of transition. Remember, the posted speed is a maximum, not a target.
- Be extra vigilant for pedestrians, bicyclists and others that are also learning the new road system and are more vulnerable.
- Use alternative routes to get to your destination, if possible. Be aware that driving an alternative route may take longer but will be safer.
- Consider an alternative form of transportation other than cars when taking your children to/from TKS.
- Please be patient. Initial traffic disruptions in the project’s early stages may occur and will involve road users becoming accustomed to the new traffic patterns.
For more road safety information, please visit the KAUST Road Safety Code, or contact us at hse@kaust.edu.sa.
I wish this change will be applied to everywhere in KAUST to provide a safe environment for cyclists.
Sounds reasonable.
The lane “separator” installed may be ok for short period to get people used to the new road system. And it is probably relatively easier to fix. However, KAUST need to evaluate and develop more innovative/smart ways to “activate” lanes separation during school and “deactivate” it during schools break and holidays.