Muhsen, Abdelrahman

  • Primary Program Solutions Productization
  • Research Interests GIS, Sustainability, Urban Analytics, Location Intelligence, Spatial Data Science, Earth Observation and Remote Sensing

Biography

Abdel is a geospatial leader, certified in GIS (GISP), with over 18 years of experience in GIS and spatial data management. He has a proven track record of leading and delivering enterprise GIS projects for international corporations in North America and the Middle East.

His work focuses on spatial economic modeling to better understand and forecast the interactions between economic activities, energy demand, land use, and transportation in urban areas.

Before KAPSARC, Abdel worked for world-renowned, global companies, such as Accenture and ESRI, in North America and the Middle East. He served as a technical leader and a senior consultant, guiding clients in the energy sector on how to extract value out of geospatial data assets and GIS investments. Abdel holds an M.Sc. in geomatics engineering from the University of Calgary, Canada.

Publications

See all Abdelrahman’s publications
  • Discussion papers
  • Methodology papers
  • Data Insight
  • Instant Insights
  • Commentary
  • KAPSARC journal articles
  • External journal article
  • Think20 (T20)
Using Satellite Technology to Measure Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Saudi Arabia

Using Satellite Technology to Measure Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Saudi Arabia

Measuring and monitoring greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are crucial to address climate change and fulfill Paris Agreement objectives. This paper explores the potential of satellite technology in measuring and tracking CH4, CO2, and N2O emissions in Saudi Arabia, collaborating with environmental intelligence company Kayrros. The satellite estimates reveal significant disparities with other data providers, particularly in the oil and gas sector. The paper advocates for a combination of bottom-up and satellite methods to enhance comprehensiveness, transparency, accuracy, and timeliness in emission measurements. The study provides policy recommendations for Saudi Arabia, demonstrating how satellite technology can detect super-emitting events and offering solutions for regulatory action. Finally, it discusses limitations and calls for further investment in satellite technology to refine GHG emission estimates for better global climate action.

7th December 2023
Modeling Factors Affecting the Choice to Use the Proposed Riyadh Metro System

Modeling Factors Affecting the Choice to Use the Proposed Riyadh Metro System

The Riyadh metro system is being implemented as a sustainable transport option that will offer reliable, affordable and comfortable urban mobility. It is important to understand the factors influencing the likelihood that people will use the new metro system. Thus, this study’s key objective is to investigate the underlying factors that drive people to use the metro instead of their current transport modes.

11th May 2023
Cost, Footprint, and Reliability Implications of Deploying Hydrogen in Off-grid Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: A GIS-assisted Study for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Cost, Footprint, and Reliability Implications of Deploying Hydrogen in Off-grid Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: A GIS-assisted Study for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

We quantify the cost, footprint and reliability implications of using hydrogen in off-grid electric vehicle charging stations (CS) using an optimization model coupled with a geographical information system (GIS) analysis for the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We also account for the challenges associated with wind energy deployment as a generation technology for CS within city centers.

29th January 2023
Sustainable Transport in Riyadh: Potential Trip Coverage of the Proposed Public Transport Network

Sustainable Transport in Riyadh: Potential Trip Coverage of the Proposed Public Transport Network

The transport sector has always had high energy demand and is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate change. To improve energy efficiency and reduce GHG emissions, Riyadh is introducing an integrated public transport system. Per capita energy consumption is much lower for public transport than for private vehicles, such as cars and taxis. This study investigates the potential impact of Riyadh’s proposed public transport system on car and taxi trips.    

13th October 2021
Designing Transport Policy for Sustainable Freight Movement in Saudi Arabia

Designing Transport Policy for Sustainable Freight Movement in Saudi Arabia

Logistics and infrastructure policy will play key roles in Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification and reform efforts. This study provides a quantitative assessment of specific measures related to freight transport, taking into consideration the heterogeneity of urban, regional and inter-regional localities in Saudi Arabia. This paper, mirroring the global approach developed by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, analyzes the potential impact of logistics policy. It sheds light on how transport regulations can help rationalize fuel consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants in the Kingdom.  

27th April 2020
The Potential of Distributed Solar PV Capacity in Riyadh: A GIS-Assisted Study

The Potential of Distributed Solar PV Capacity in Riyadh: A GIS-Assisted Study

Rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, commonly referred to as distributed generation (DG) solar systems, can play a central role in the energy mix for sustainable cities. As with all forms of power generation, DG carries technical, financial, policy, and market implications that impact utilities, governments, businesses and other stakeholders.

1st October 2019
Urban Transport Energy Demand Model for Riyadh: Methodology and Preliminary Analysis

Urban Transport Energy Demand Model for Riyadh: Methodology and Preliminary Analysis

Saudi Arabia intends to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 278 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually by 2030, according to its Nationally Determined Contribution to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Among many policies it is introducing, a mass transit system and transit-oriented development are being advanced with the expectation of reducing energy consumption and GHG emissions in Riyadh. To what extent such an initiative can reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions is an important question. In this paper, a methodology is developed to systematically measure the impact of mass transit and transit-oriented development in Riyadh on energy demand.

13th June 2023
Estimating Freight Transport Activity Using Nighttime Lights Satellite Data in China, India and Saudi Arabia

Estimating Freight Transport Activity Using Nighttime Lights Satellite Data in China, India and Saudi Arabia

This paper focuses on the methodology for estimating total freight transport activity (FTA) for three countries  — China, India and Saudi Arabia  — with the objective of building on current state-of-the-art transportation modeling in three key areas: Studying the relationship between nighttime lights (NTL) and FTA allows for an estimation of full transportation datasets for countries where only a few observation points exist or where data is unavailable. Establishing the foundation for future work on how to use this approach in transport flow estimation (origin-destination matrices). Determining whether this approach can be used globally, given the coverage of the satellite data used. The paper uses the KAPSARC Transport Analysis Framework (KTAF), which estimates transport activity from freely available global data sources, satellite images and NTL. It is a tool for estimating freight transport activity that can be used in models to measure the impact of an accelerated transport policy planning approach. The methodology offers a solution to inadequate data access and allows for scenario building in policy planning for transportation. This approach allows for quick estimation of the effects of policy measures and economic changes on transportation activities at a global level. The paper also includes a detailed guide on how to replicate the methodology used in this analysis.

9th May 2019
Flight and Passenger Flows in Saudi Arabia

Flight and Passenger Flows in Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has four major international airports. They are King Khalid International Airport (RUH), King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED), King Fahd International Airport (DMM) and Prince Muhammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED). Before the COVID-19 pandemic, they were growing steadily, with average annual growth rates of 9.46% and 7.17% for annual passenger volume and flights, respectively. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), terminals at both JED and RUH were experiencing congestion owing to infrastructure limitations.  

28th September 2021
Estimating the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Saudi GDP

Estimating the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Saudi GDP

The COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted economic and social activity globally at an unprecedented pace. The international movement of goods has been limited to the necessary minimum, often solely for deliveries of protective and healthcare equipment. Many governments have imposed strict international travel bans to limit the risk of importing the virus, or at least to sharply reduce the inflow of infected persons.

10th June 2020
The Potential for Distributed Solar PV Systems in Riyadh

The Potential for Distributed Solar PV Systems in Riyadh

The country’s regulator, the Electricity and Co-Generation Regulatory Authority (ECRA) has also released provisional bylaws that will govern how distributed generation (DG) would be compensated within the Kingdom. Many governmental organizations mandated to support local industries and energy efficiency measures are assessing the potential business and employment opportunities that could result from renewable energy deployment. This analysis provides a timely insight that can help shape the discussion around DG as the Kingdom moves forward with its renewable energy plans.

18th November 2019
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and Energy Consumption – Global and Local Contexts

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and Energy Consumption – Global and Local Contexts

There is growing concern about the environmental impact of transport systems. The increase in energy consumption and vehicle emissions is the main contributor to the problem. Several studies have tested hypotheses about the relationship between the urban structure, especially high density, and energy consumption in the transport system.

4th January 2024

Stay informed

 I'm interested in

Select the updates you'd like to receive from us

About

A bit about you