Digital Transformation in Airports and Aviation Sector in KSA and new advancements in Esri's AI and XR
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. — October 2nd, 2024 | By Adel Bolbol Fernández PhD and Hesham Gamal Gaafar
1.The Kingdom Highlights?
·???????King Salman International Airport Development Company
King Salman International Airport Development Company (KSIADC), part of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has signed strategic partnerships with four world-class firms: Foster + Partners, Jacobs, Mace, and Nera. These companies will contribute to the design, construction, and operational development of the King Salman International Airport (KSIA), a project aimed at transforming Riyadh into a major hub for tourism, travel, and transportation. Foster + Partners will lead the master planning, Jacobs will provide consultancy services for runway design, Mace will implement advanced construction methodologies, and Nera will manage air traffic efficiency using state-of-the-art technologies. This collaboration is set to play a key role in realizing Saudi Vision 2030 by enhancing connectivity and creating a world-class passenger experience.?
·???????New Abha Airport Project:
The New Abha Airport Project, part of Saudi Vision 2030, aims to transform the Aseer region into a premier tourist destination by expanding the airport's capacity to handle 13 million passengers annually. It includes a terminal of 65,000 m2, 20 gates, and 41 platforms for smoother travel procedures. The project emphasizes the region's cultural heritage, with a design inspired by local traditions and a focus on sustainability. Advanced technologies will be integrated to enhance passenger experience and air connectivity to 250 destinations.?
For more information, visit?New Abha Airport Project.?
·???????Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) for Regional Airports:
Saudi Arabia has launched a USD 1 billion public-private partnership (PPP) program to revamp and expand regional airports in Abha and Taif. This initiative is part of the broader Vision 2030 agenda to modernize the Kingdom's infrastructure. The program aims to develop both airports under 30-year design-build-finance-operate-maintain (DBFOM) contracts, with foreign companies expected to play a significant role. Abha will see its airport capacity rise to 13 million passengers annually, while Taif is focused on supporting religious tourism.?
For more details, visit?CAPA Analysis?
Esri technology offers powerful geospatial solutions to enhance the efficiency and safety of airports and aviation operations in the kingdom. By integrating ArcGIS tools, airports can optimize everything from master planning and environmental assessments to daily operations such as runway management and passenger flow. The platform supports real-time data visualization, predictive analytics, and 3D modeling, enabling better decision-making and resource management. Esri's technology also enhances collaboration between stakeholders by providing accurate geospatial data, helping airports meet sustainability goals and improve overall passenger experiences.?
For more information, visit?Esri Airports.?
·???????The?Mukaab?Project: immersive experiences that mimic visits to other planets
Saudi Arabia has unveiled plans for the?Mukaab, a monumental cube-shaped architectural marvel that will anchor Riyadh's New?Murabba?district. Standing 400 meters tall, the?Mukaab?will house a mixed-use space featuring commercial, cultural, and residential areas. It will incorporate cutting-edge virtual technologies, offering visitors immersive experiences, and is designed to reflect Saudi heritage while aligning with Vision 2030's ambition to create futuristic urban environments. The project is expected to attract global attention and transform Riyadh's skyline.?For more details, visit?Forbes.?
Esri’s 3D GIS capabilities can greatly enhance the development of the?Mukaab?by enabling detailed visualization and immersive experiences. With ArcGIS, planners and architects can create highly accurate 3D models of the structure and its surroundings, helping stakeholders visualize the project in real time. Esri's technology also allows for virtual simulations, enabling designers to explore interior spaces and assess the impact on the urban environment. These immersive experiences can support sustainable design, smart city planning, and collaboration between teams during the?Mukaab's?construction.?
For more details, visit?Esri's 3D GIS.?
2. Global News?
London Gatwick Airport has implemented a new geospatial platform powered by Esri and Autodesk technologies, enhancing its operational capabilities. The platform integrates spatial data from various sources, enabling precise infrastructure management and real-time decision-making. By combining Esri’s advanced GIS tools and Autodesk’s design capabilities, Gatwick can streamline its planning and development processes, ensuring efficient operations and improved passenger services. This collaboration exemplifies how the integration of geospatial and design technologies can transform airport management.?
For more information, visit?AEC Magazine.?
3. Recent trends & patterns?
·???????ArcGIS Flight to Replace? Site Scan Flight and Site Scan Flight LE
Esri has introduced ArcGIS Flight, a new tool designed to revolutionize aerial imagery collection and integration into geospatial workflows. The platform streamlines mission planning, data collection, and imagery management, ensuring high-quality outputs for industries ranging from infrastructure to environmental monitoring. By leveraging 3D visualization and cloud processing, ArcGIS Flight enables efficient data acquisition and analysis, supporting better decision-making across sectors.?
For more information, visit?ArcGIS Flight.?
·??????Artificial Intelligence to Revolutionize Geospatial Decision-Making
Esri is pushing the boundaries of GIS by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to boost data analysis, prediction, and decision-making. With AI, GIS tools are now capable of performing complex tasks like image classification and predictive modeling more efficiently, helping industries such as urban planning and environmental management. This combination enables users to uncover hidden patterns and insights within vast datasets, driving innovation and improved decision-making across various sectors.?
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For more details, visit?Esri ArcNews.?
4. Community News?
Houseal Lavigne (HL)?is a leading urban planning and geospatial firm specializing in innovative solutions that blend geospatial technologies with strategic urban design. They are committed to advancing how cities are envisioned and developed, providing data-driven insights and cutting-edge tools to create smarter, more sustainable communities. HL is at the forefront of the intersection between planning and geospatial technology.? Their team focuses on the integration of GIS data with 3D modeling, simulation, and immersive visualization technologies. Their expertise spans urban planning, geospatial analysis, and the application of advanced tools like ArcGIS?CityEngine?and Unreal Engine for the gamification of 3D GIS data, revolutionizing design and planning processes for our clients.?
On this project, the?St. Louis Development Corporation, needed a dynamic and interactive tool to support the revitalization of an economically depressed neighborhood. The challenge was to effectively showcase their vision for future development by highlighting strategic investment in key sites.?
HL developed an immersive Digital Twin of the neighborhood using a proven ArcGIS to Unreal Engine workflow. By combining GIS data with 3D modeling, they created an interactive environment that allowed stakeholders to visualize future conditions, explore design options, and simulate real-world scenarios. This solution brought the neighborhood’s potential to life, aiding in decision-making and community planning.?
Their gamified 3D model became a key communication tool that was highlighted by the Mayor in her State of the City address. The twin will enable the St. Louis Development Corporation to secure additional investments for strategic sites and foster stronger community involvement, paving the way for a sustainable neighborhood transformation.?
Esri has partnered with Microsoft to integrate its spatial analytics into Microsoft Fabric, enhancing data analysis capabilities within Microsoft’s end-to-end analytics platform. This collaboration allows users to access Esri’s advanced GIS tools directly within Fabric, empowering organizations to perform location-based analysis on their data. By combining Esri’s spatial insights with Microsoft’s analytics capabilities, businesses can gain deeper insights and make more informed decisions in areas such as supply chain optimization, risk management, and sustainability.?
For more details, visit?Esri Newsroom.?
5. Events?
Kingdom Digital Twin?takes place on the 8-9th October 2024 in Riyadh Airport Marriott Hotel, and will explore the roadmap of a Digital Twin system, its impact on each stage of the project and why should we implement it in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.? On the first day of the Digital Twin Summit in Saudi Arabia, Esri is hosting an expert panel which will?delve into the realm of geospatially enabled digital twins.? The panel is titled?"Harnessing Geospatially Enabled Digital Twins: Transforming Government Operations and Services" and it aims to understand how these technologies are revolutionizing the way government entities plan, manage, and optimize their resources. With the experience of the top leader panelists in the field of GIS, the panel will explore the opportunities, challenges, and best practices associated with implementing digital twins in the public sector.??On the second day, we will conduct an in-depth workshop titled "Building and Operating Geospatial Digital Twins: A Comprehensive Guide" focused on practical applications of digital twin solutions, providing attendees with hands-on experience and actionable strategies for their own projects.?
?Esri Infrastructure Management & GIS Conference (IMGIS): Discover how ArcGIS can optimize operations, boost organizational efficiency, and streamline communication and collaboration across projects. Join industry experts and peers to explore the latest geospatial solutions and management strategies for long-term success.?
?GITEX Global?is one of the largest technology events in the world, showcasing the latest innovations in tech, AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and more. This year?Esri?is again exhibiting at GITEX, joned by some of our strategic partners;?Khatib & Alami (K&A),?MipMap,?QSIT,?Houseal Lavigne (HL), and?Autodesk. Visit us in?Hall 6,?Stand H6-B50, and explore why a holistic, location-based understanding of our world can unite people and empower positive change.? Stop by to learn more about how geospatial technologies are leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI), Spatial Analytics, and Distributed Infrastructure to shape the future of our cities, infrastructure, business, public safety and sustainability.? GITEX brings together global industry leaders, tech companies, and startups to explore cutting-edge developments, collaborate on future trends, and drive digital transformation across various sectors.?
?About Esri Saudi Arabia
Esri Saudi Arabia, a key player in the region's geographic information system (GIS) industry, specializes in providing cutting-edge GIS solutions and services. Leveraging Esri's global leadership in location intelligence, it supports diverse sectors including government, environmental management, and urban planning, enhancing decision-making and operational efficiency across Saudi Arabia. Esri Saudi Arabia is committed to innovating and adapting GIS technologies to meet local needs, driving digital transformation and sustainable development in the Kingdom.
Contact: Esri Saudi Arabia
Email: [email protected]