Interactive smart map system launched to enhance wayfinding at Two Holy Mosques

MAKKAH — CEO of the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque Eng. Ghazi Al-Shahrani launched the smart interactive map system at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. This system represents a qualitative leap in spatial guidance and contributes to facilitating the movement of visitors and pilgrims.Speaking on the occasion, Al-Shahrani said that the smart interactive maps service represents a qualitative leap in spatial guidance. He noted that this service facilitates the movement of visitors and Umrah pilgrims, and enhances wayfinding efficiency within the Two Holy Mosques by providing real-time information and updated routes that support safe mobility and improve the overall experience. Al-Shahrani noted that this step comes as part of the authority’s efforts to advance digital transformation and employ smart technologies to serve worshipers. “The interactive maps are part of an integrated digital ecosystem that provides location-based guidance, powered by live operational data linked to operations rooms, helping direct visitors to the most suitable routes during congestion or temporary closures,” he said. On his part, Executive Vice President of Digital Transformation at the authority Dr. Mohammed Al-Saqr said that the pilot phase of the maps, which began during Ramadan, is integrated with the color coding and metric addressing system, which divides the Two Holy Mosques into clear geographical zones that support smart operation. “This pilot launch represents a cornerstone of a multi-year development project,” he said. Al-Saqr stated that the system includes more than 950 points of interest distributed across 13 service categories, supported by over 650 QR codes, with the technical capacity to generate more than 100,000 dynamic routes that are automatically optimized based on crowd movement variables. Director of Business Solutions at the authority Eng. Waheeb Al-Mutrafi stressed that the maps support location-based reports and contribute to accelerating access to electric carts through ticket numbers via a smart platform built on field data verified over several months. “This enhances operational efficiency and elevates the quality of services provided to worshippers,” he added.