A UAV-Based Framework for Dynamic Traffic Surveillance in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

Urban traffic congestion continues to be a significant issue in swiftly developing cities, frequently causing delays in emergency responses, heightened emissions, and diminished overall mobility efficiency. Conventional traffic monitoring systems face challenges in delivering real-time, adaptable, and extensive surveillance, especially in heavily populated urban locales such as Dhahran in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia. This paper presents a drone-based traffic management framework utilising unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with sophisticated monitoring technology to overcome these restrictions. The system is engineered to oversee traffic flow, identify incidents in real time, and relay live information to centralised control centres. Essential attributes encompass dynamic flight path formulation, effortless interaction with current smart city frameworks, and adherence to regulatory limitations like no-fly zones and urban density. A case study in Dhahran illustrates the viability and efficacy of the proposed system, indicating its capacity to mitigate congestion and markedly improve emergency response times. This framework advances intelligent transport systems and aligns with the overarching objective of smart city development as outlined in Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.