Smart Waste Management System for Makkah City using Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things

TL;DR

This paper presents TUHR, an AI and IoT-based smart waste management system tailored for Makkah's pilgrimage season, aiming to improve environmental health, optimize resource use, and support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.

Contribution

The paper introduces a context-specific smart waste management system utilizing ultrasonic sensors and AI for real-time monitoring and proactive waste handling during large-scale events.

Findings

Effective waste level monitoring with ultrasonic sensors.

Reduction in unnecessary fuel consumption.

Enhanced environmental and health safety measures.

Abstract

Waste management is a critical global issue with significant environmental and public health implications. It has become more destructive during large-scale events such as the annual pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, one of the world's largest religious gatherings. This event's popularity has attracted millions worldwide, leading to significant and un-predictable accumulation of waste. Such a tremendous number of visitors leads to in-creased waste management issues at the Grand Mosque and other holy sites, highlighting the need for an effective solution other than traditional methods based on rigid collection schedules. To address this challenge, this research proposed an innovative solution that is context-specific and tailored to the unique requirements of pilgrimage season: a Smart Waste Management System, called TUHR, that utilizes the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence. This system encompasses ultrasonic sensors that monitor waste levels in each container at the performance sites. Once the container reaches full capacity, the sensor communicates with the microcontroller, which alerts the relevant authorities. Moreover, our system can detect harmful substances such as gas from the gas detector sensor. Such a proactive and dynamic approach promises to mitigate the environmental and health risks associated with waste accumulation and enhance the cleanliness of these sites. It also delivers economic benefits by reducing unnecessary gasoline consumption and optimizing waste management resources. Importantly, this research aligns with the principles of smart cities and exemplifies the innovative, sustainable, and health-conscious approach that Saudi Arabia is implementing as part of its Vision 2030 initiative.