RIYADH — King Abdulaziz Financial District (KAFD) is moving ahead with plans to develop a fully electric, autonomous monorail system that will span 3.6 kilometers, feature six stations and connect the entire district in 11 minutes, with a daily capacity of more than 50,000 passengers. The monorail is designed as a district-wide transport network linking offices, residential areas, retail spaces and visitor destinations across KAFD. The elevated track will run through the full length of the district, with trains departing every three minutes to ensure continuous and efficient service. Faddy Al Aql, chief of projects delivery at King Abdulaziz Financial District, said the project contract was signed in October 2024, formally marking the start of development. “The design process for the vehicles and structural bridges for the monorail has already begun,” Al Aql said, noting that the project remains in its early design stages. He said the primary goal of the system is to provide seamless connectivity throughout the district for offices, residents, tenants, shops and visitors. Al Aql described the project as “the monorail of the future,” adding that its modern carriages and stations are being designed to integrate with Riyadh’s urban character while offering smart and sustainable mobility. Sustainability and efficiency are central to the project’s design. Hassan Zein, a member of the projects delivery team, said the monorail will help reduce traffic congestion and support sustainable transportation.He said the system’s design emphasizes high energy efficiency and ease of maintenance, highlighting the recycling of braking energy as a key feature. Compared with private vehicles, Zein said the monorail will significantly reduce carbon emissions as part of a broader green transport strategy.Another team member, Abdullah Al Shehri, said the monorail is fully integrated with KAFD’s existing infrastructure. The route will start from the valley and its interconnected pathways, pass through smart parking zones, and connect to the district’s suspended pedestrian walkway network, which was recently recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest continuous pedestrian skyway network.Al Shehri said a monorail system was selected because it requires 30% to 40% less concrete than other transport systems, making it well suited to dense, high-rise urban environments. He noted that the system allows tight maneuverability, with turning radii of up to 18 meters and gradients of up to 12 degrees.Operating at the fourth level — the highest globally — the monorail will reach a top speed of 55 km/h, with an average operating speed of 19 km/h. The system will rely on advanced automated communication and signaling technology to ensure high levels of safety and reliability.The autonomous monorail project is scheduled for completion by 2029.