Application of Integrated Surveying Technologies for Risk Management in Megaprojects: Case Study of NEOM’s Oxagon Port, Saudi Arabia

This case study investigates the integrated application of photogrammetry, geographic information systems, light detection and ranging (LiDAR), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), global navigation satellite systems, and three-dimensional (3D) laser scanning to mitigate risks in NEOM’s Oxagon port, a floating industrial hub within a 26,500 km2 megaproject in northwest Saudi Arabia. Covering preconstruction (foundation alignment), construction (structural monitoring), and postconstruction (as-built verification and maintenance) phases from 2022–2024, these technologies addressed environmental risks (coastal ecosystems with 2,500 marine species), logistical challenges (desert terrain, sandstorms), financial constraints ($50 billion budget), and technical complexities (floating structures). Photogrammetry achieved 1.5 mm accuracy in steel framework monitoring, validated by 3D scanning, while LiDAR and UAVs reduced survey times by 50% compared to conventional total station methods. A three-phase framework yielded 15%–20% cost savings ($7.5–$10 billion), 25% error reduction, 15% reduced environmental impact, and 10% maintenance cost savings, validated by ecological surveys and project reports. Compared to conventional methods, integrated technologies reduced survey times by 40% and rework costs by 30%. Despite challenges such as high LiDAR costs and sandstorm disruptions, this study provides a rigorously validated, scalable framework for megaproject risk management in extreme environments, offering actionable insights for global infrastructure development.