Solid waste management (SWM) is one of the key responsibilities of city administrators and one of the effective proxies for good governance. Effective SWM mitigates adverse health and environmental impacts, conserves resources, and improves the livability of cities. However, unsustainable SWM practices, exacerbated by rapid urbanization and financial and institutional limitations, negatively impact public health and environmental sustainability. This review article assesses the human and environmental health impacts of SWM practices in the Global South cities that are the future of global urbanization. The study employs desktop research methodology based on in-depth analysis of secondary data and literature, including official documents and published articles. It finds that the commonplace SWM practices include mixing household and commercial garbage with hazardous waste during storage and handling. While waste storage is largely in old or poorly managed facilities such as storage containers, the transportation system is often deficient and informal. The disposal methods are predominantly via uncontrolled dumping, open-air incinerators, and landfills. The negative impacts of such practices include air and water pollution, land degradation, emissions of methane and hazardous leachate, and climate change. These impacts impose significant environmental and public health costs on residents with marginalized social groups mostly affected. The paper concludes with recommendations for mitigating the public and environmental health risks associated with the existing SWM practices in the Global South.

Traffic accidents have become a pressing global public health concern, contributing to millions of deaths and injuries each year. Similar to many countries, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is facing significant challenges to overcome the burden of traffic-related injuries and fatalities, prompting the need for effective intervention measures. With the latest advances in sensor fusions, detection, and communication technologies, Automated Traffic Enforcement Systems (ATES) have gained widespread popularity as a solution to improve road safety by ensuring compliance with traffic laws. The objective of this study is to review the effectiveness of ATES in reducing traffic accidents and improving road safety and to identify the challenges and prospects it faced during its implementation. This review uses a detailed overview of different types of ATES deployment, including speed cameras, red-light cameras, and mobile enforcement units, and a comparison between global case studies and local research findings, with special emphasis on the context of Saudi Arabia. This study uses a systematic literature review methodology, using the PRISMA 2020 Protocol, and conducts a scientific literature database search using specific keywords. This study finds that ATES has emerged as an effective tool to ensure traffic compliance and improve overall traffic safety and that various ATES devices have been profoundly effective in reducing traffic crashes. This review concludes that ATES can be an effective solution to improve road safety, but ongoing evaluations and adjustments are necessary to address public perceptions and ensure equitable enforcement.

Road traffic accidents pose a significant global public health and economic challenge. In Saudi Arabia, rapid motorization and urbanization have contributed to one of the world’s highest traffic fatality rates. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Saher traffic enforcement system in the Dammam Metropolitan Area (DMA) by gathering insights from road safety experts through structured questionnaires and interviews. Findings indicate that Saher has improved traffic law compliance and enhanced perceptions of road safety. Key accident causes include driver distractions, speeding, and sudden lane changes, with younger drivers being disproportionately involved. Experts recommend expanding Saher’s capabilities by addressing violations like aggressive driving and increasing coverage of cameras, with responses of 21% and 25%, respectively. They also stress the need for better highway coverage, with a response of 32%. Proposed strategies include integrating the Saher system into urban planning, combining automated enforcement with public education, and enhancing traffic infrastructure, such as signage and signal systems. This study offers actionable insights for policymakers to improve road safety and promote sustainable urban mobility in Saudi Arabia.

Road traffic accidents pose a significant global public health and economic challenge. In Saudi Arabia, rapid motorization and urbanization have contributed to one of the world’s highest traffic fatality rates. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Saher traffic enforcement system in the Dammam Metropolitan Area (DMA) by gathering insights from road safety experts through structured questionnaires and interviews. Findings indicate that Saher has improved traffic law compliance and enhanced perceptions of road safety. Key accident causes include driver distractions, speeding, and sudden lane changes, with younger drivers being disproportionately involved. Experts recommend expanding Saher’s capabilities by increasing camera numbers, strategically rotating their locations, and addressing violations like aggressive driving. They also stress the need for better coverage near schools and high pedestrian zones. Proposed strategies include integrating Saher into urban planning, combining automated enforcement with public education, and enhancing traffic infrastructure, such as signage and signal systems. This study offers actionable insights for policymakers to improve road safety and promote sustainable urban mobility in Saudi Arabia.

Road traffic accidents are a major global challenge, causing significant public health and economic burdens. In Saudi Arabia, the rapid increase in motorization and urbanization has led to one of the world's highest traffic fatality rates. This study examines the effectiveness of the SAHER traffic enforcement system in the Dammam Metropolitan Area (DMA) using insights from 23 road safety experts through structured questionnaires and interviews. The analysis highlights that SAHER has improved compliance with traffic laws and enhanced road safety perceptions but remains limited in its scope and coverage. Key findings identify driver distractions, speeding, and sudden lane changes as the leading causes of accidents, with younger drivers disproportionately involved. Experts emphasize the need for enhancements to SAHER, including increasing the number and strategic rotation of cameras, addressing additional violations such as aggressive driving, and improving coverage near schools and high-pedestrian areas. Recommendations include integrating SAHER into future urban planning, combining automated enforcement with public education campaigns, and improving traffic infrastructure, such as signage and signal operations. This study provides valuable insights into the role of automated enforcement in improving road safety and offers actionable strategies for policymakers to address traffic-related challenges and promote sustainable urban mobility in Saudi Arabia.