The tunnel sensor market in the MEA is expected to grow from US$ 162.18 million in 2019 to US$ 211.89 million by 2027; it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.6% from 2020 to 2027.
There has been a growing acceptance for tunnel automation and monitoring solutions in the MEA in the past few years. Factors such as improved operational efficiency, enhanced productivity, and reduced costs are revolutionizing the industrial sector in the region. Enterprises of all sizes are investing heavily in adopting various digital technologies such as web/mobile apps, cloud computing, Internet of Things, predictive analytics, and Big Data. Digital transformation and process automation have the potential to create unparalleled opportunities for businesses. This shift in preference is fueling the adoption of advanced tunnels sensors that help automate the tunnel monitoring systems, thereby reducing the number of accidents and decreasing the costs involved in tunnel maintenance. Tunnel automation solutions benefit the users through reduced costs, increased accuracy, enhanced productivity, environmental benefits, and enhanced regulatory compliance, among others. Also, the number of government regulations favoring the automation of tunnel systems is growing at an excellent pace in countries such as South Africa and the UAE. The decreasing costs of tunnel sensors and rise in developments involving incorporation of technologies such as IoT in tunnel monitoring solutions are among the key factors driving the adoption of different types of tunnel sensors across the MEA.Further, increasing tunnel safety concerns in the MEA region is another factor contributing to the surge in demand for tunnel sensors.
The air quality monitoring segment led the MEA tunnel sensor market, based on connectivity, in 2019. The constant monitoring of air quality inside the tunnel is crucial. Even very low concentration of NO2 is harmful for health; hence, the sensors are installed to keep a check on an accurate level and quality of NO2 in the tunnels. The rising vehicular traffic in tunnels restricts the visibility due to the generation of dust particles and rubber debris from abrasion of tires. As the concentration of NO in the environment is rising due to the growing number of diesel-fueled vehicles worldwide, monitoring air quality is increasingly becoming necessary. For instance, SICK AG provides VICOTEC320 air quality tunnel sensors to accurately monitor the level of NO and NO2, and uses measurement technology for the constant measurement of visibility (VIS) inside the tunnel atmosphere.
The COVID-19 pandemic is adversely impacting the MEA region. Among the MEA countries, South Africa has the highest number of COVID-19 confirmed cases (~589,900) and deaths (~12,000), which has substantially limited its economic and industrial growth. Other major countries that are facing the economic impact of COVID-19 outbreak include Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Morocco, and Kuwait. The UAE is among the prospective markets for tunnel sensor providers, owing to the huge scope for construction and infrastructure industry growth. Dubai is among the frontrunners in terms of technology adoption in various industries, including logistics and transportation. The demand for tunnel automation and monitoring solutions in Dubai is quite high, and COVID-19 outbreak may hinder the demand in coming quarters due to the temporary suspension of new infrastructure projects and activities. The MEA region, consisting of various oil-based economies, is already under pressure due to falling oil prices. In addition to this, the factory lockdowns, business shutdowns, and travel bans are further aggravating the economic problems.
The overall MEA tunnel sensor market size has been derived using both primary and secondary sources. To begin the research process, exhaustive secondary research has been conducted using internal and external sources to obtain qualitative and quantitative information related to the market. The process also serves the purpose of obtaining overview and forecast for the tunnel sensor market with respect to all the segments pertaining to the region. Also, multiple primary interviews have been conducted with industry participants and commentators to validate the data, as well as to gain more analytical insights into the topic. The participants typically involved in this process include industry expert such as VPs, business development managers, market intelligence managers, and national sales managers along with external consultants such as valuation experts, research analysts, and key opinion leaders specializing in the MEA tunnel sensor market. CODEL International Ltd; DURAG Group; Geonica; SICK AG; Trolex Ltd are among a few players operating in the MEA tunnel sensor market.