A Hajj transport simulation involving 3,000 buses and more than 1.2 million virtual pilgrims was conducted by the General Transport Center, one of the centers of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, in coordination with more than 24 government and operational entities. The exercise, carried out on April 13, 2026, forms part of preparations for the Hajj season 1447 AH.
Scope of the Hajj Transport Simulation
The Hajj transport simulation used an operational model to replicate pilgrim movement between Makkah and the Holy Sites. It ran 3,000 buses across five main operational phases, covering all stages of transport through 15 primary routes. This setup allowed planners to test crowd flow and traffic management efficiency at each stage of the journey.
Scale of Participation
The exercise modeled the transport of more than 1.2 million virtual pilgrims through over 75,000 planned trips. More than 20,500 operational personnel and 74 transport companies took part, reflecting the scale and complexity of moving pilgrims during the Hajj season. The breadth of participation across government and private entities signals the level of coordination required for the actual event.
Operational Phases and Emergency Scenarios
Field implementation covered four key phases: preparation and readiness, movement to Arafat, transfer to Muzdalifah, and departure to Mina. The Arabic-language source also noted that the simulation included several emergency scenarios, covering fire response procedures, handling medical emergencies inside buses, and administering first aid. Teams tested real-time bus tracking from the General Transport Center’s monitoring and control room, with live reports generated to support decision-making.
The exercise also tested communication channels and escalation procedures between participating entities. Bus breakdown scenarios within active routes were simulated to verify service continuity, and response times for operational teams were measured under varied conditions. The operational readiness data gathered will feed directly into refining transport procedures before the season begins.
Methodology and Outlook
The General Transport Center said the exercise reflects the coordination level among participating entities and supports the development of a transport system capable of handling high crowd densities during Hajj. The methodology relies on pre-testing, performance measurement, and the improvement of operational procedures. According to the center, the goal is to deliver an organized mobility experience for pilgrims attending the 1447 AH season.
“The exercise reflects the level of coordination among participating entities and supports the development of a transport system capable of accommodating high crowd densities during the Hajj season, through a methodology based on pre-testing, performance measurement, and the enhancement of operational procedures.”
General Transport Center, Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites
The simulation is one of several preparatory steps the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites takes ahead of each Hajj season. With millions of pilgrims expected to travel between the Holy Sites, the real-time monitoring systems and multi-agency coordination tested in this exercise are central to managing one of the world’s largest annual gatherings. Results from the simulation will be used to adjust routes, staffing, and contingency plans before the season opens.
