A geographical study of transport in Saudi Arabia with special reference to road transport

Abstract

This thesis has a dual theme a) to make a contribution to the promotion of the geographical approach in the field of transportation and b) to make a contribution to the development of transportation in Saudi Arabia. After an examination of the historical evolution of transport in Saudi Arabia detailed analytical surveys have been undertaken on the present development of transportation with especial emphasis on road transport which forms the backbone of the transportation services in the country. Chapter one is a short introduction to get the reader acquainted with the relevant aspects of the geography of Saudi Arabia as well as with the scope approach and objectives of the study. Chapter Two is a study of the history of transport in Saudi Arabia from the very early times until the first half of the present century. Chapters Three Four and Five deal with the development of the modern road network and its association with socio-economic and other geographical factors. Chapters Six and Seven examine the motor vehicle stock and road traffic whilst Chapter Eight is a study of air traffic. In Chapter Nine three problems of under-utilization in road traffic were discussed whilst in Chapter Ten the impact of transport development on settlements and social changes were investigated and analysed. Chapter Eleven ends this analytical survey with a study of the cost and pricing of road transport. In Chapter Twelve the Ideal-Typical Sequence Model of transport development in underdeveloped countries was applied to Saudi Arabia the Sudan and some other Middle Eastern countries and certain modifications were suggested to make the model of more general application. The final chapter deals with the problems and prospects of transport development in Saudi Arabia drawing the broad lines of a general strategy for future transport development.