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SANRAL focuses on the health of workers

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Wellness programme paves the way to a happier, healthier construction industry. 

Tshegare Moletsane, SANRAL Project Manager in Limpopo, (Middle) and workers celebrating World Aids Day 2017.

The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) is as committed to the quality of life of its workers as it is to the quality of the country’s national roads.  

The agency has a wellness programme that paves the way to a happier, healthier construction industry. 

While SANRAL is focused on its mandate of improving and maintaining the national road network, it has placed a focus on restoring and maintaining the dignity of labourers working on its projects and their families by implementing an integrated wellness programme on all Limpopo routine road maintenance (RRM) projects. 

Call centre established 

The wellness programme, which is centred around health risk assessment, facilitation of health topics and monitoring, has been running concurrently with the 12 RRM projects from January 2016.  

Testing for HIV, TB, cholesterol, glucose and body mass index has provided valuable insights and has led to the establishment of an emergency 24/7 call centre that workers, especially those with adverse issues, can utilise for health management and counselling. 

The call centre grants employees and their family members access to biological monitoring and psychological counselling, which assists with stress management, substance abuse and critical incident management. 

Healthy workers mean better productivity 

The roads SANRAL builds and maintains connect people to opportunities and serve as a vehicle for the province’s economy. Thus, project interruptions due to absenteeism and low levels of productivity are an unwanted inconvenience.  

In view of this, SANRAL’s management team acknowledged it was important to invest in bringing health facilities to their people. 

Vusi Mona, General Manager of Communications at SANRAL said: “Our mandate is to build a better South Africa for all citizens. While we are achieving this through the improvement of our roads, it is important to us that those who actually get their hands dirty to achieve this are also well taken care of.” 

Besides the obvious health benefits to workers and the community, the implementation of the programme has also had an impact on unemployment in project areas.  

On each project SANRAL commences, they appoint a Wellness Champion who is tasked with educating and informing labourers on healthy living. 

Mona added: “While we strive to create better working conditions on a daily basis, we celebrated the successes of our wellness programme in the month of May, which places a particular emphasis on workers and their wellness.” 

According to Tshegare Moletsane, SANRAL Project Manager in Limpopo, educating labourers has brought about considerable changes. It has dealt with the stigma around HIV/AIDS and more men on site have embraced the importance of being tested and knowing their state of health. 

Following the many successes of the rollout, SANRAL has implemented the programme nationally, and with the agency’s footprint across South Africa one can only imagine the positive impact it has had on communities across the country, said Mona. 

Businesses close to busy road pose a hazard

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SANRAL is concerned about safety risks for users and communities after encroachment of illegal hawkers and land invaders along busy road. 

Informal businesses close to the road reserve cause disruptions and put the safety of road users at risk.

The upgrading of the R573 Moloto Road brings jobs, training and opportunities to local businesses in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. Yet progress has brought challenges with it. 

The 139km stretch of road is one of South Africa’s busiest and most important economic routes connecting the three provinces. 

Encroachments, in the form of land invasion and informal businesses close to the road reserve, cause disruptions and put the safety of road users at risk. 

SANRAL has partnered with local municipalities and consulted local traditional authorities to try to address these issues, but the problem persists. 

Educating communities 

The agency had embarked on a roadshow to educate stakeholders on statutory control issues and the allocation of tribal land to communities. 

Lerato Mothapo, Statutory Control, and David Thubane, Land Acquisition Officer from SANRAL, work on the project, and for them it’s an everyday battle to try managing the issues. 

Thubane said: “Trading inside the national road reserve and the increasing number of shacks at intersections, especially near Phola Mall, are major challenges. This matter was brought to the attention of the Thembisile Hani municipality for intervention. Unfortunately, the resolution of these issues is not happening as required.” 

While setting up informal businesses close to the road may seem convenient, it creates a safety hazard. Consumers run the risk of being hit by fast-moving cars when crossing the road. 

According to the SANRAL project managers, the agency is fully committed to community development and supporting local business.  

However, it cannot risk the lives of others and be at the mercy of illegal hawkers. SANRAL appeals for full co-operation from communities and stakeholders, more those encroaching on the road reserve and ignoring building restrictions or planning to do so, to follow proper procedures in acquiring land. 

The agency, together with the provincial and local authorities, plans to accommodate these traders in areas off the road reserve in much safer spots. 

Thubane said: “Local communities are asked to respect beacons placed by surveyors indicating the national road reserve. Headmen/chiefs are requested not to allocate stands inside the road reserve.  

“In the areas where a road reserve is not shown or demarcated, they are encouraged to liaise with the route routine manager (RRM) or SANRAL representatives for assistance.” 

Cutting down of trees necessary for road safety

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SANRAL will always put road safety and the environment at the forefront of any project. 

Baobab trees near Musina being relocated during the upgrading of the N1.

The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) believes in striving to give back to the land what it has taken from it, an approach it has adopted in all its construction projects. 

SANRAL is responsible for delivering quality roads, and in this line of work there is always some interaction with nature. 

Road flooding on R21 due to pine needles 

The agency recently came under public scrutiny for cutting down trees in Ekurhuleni. The trees were growing near the R21 on the way to OR Tambo international airport. As a result, it was accused of not being considerate of the environment. 

But there was a good reason for getting rid of the pine trees: the pine needles were continuously blocking grind inlets, which leads to flooding of the road. SANRAL replaced the pine trees with Karee, which will not block any inlets. 

This is the way the agency works, as can be seen in the relocation of Baobab trees near Musina during the upgrading of the N1. Eleven Baobabs and 197 Shepherd trees were relocated. 

Committed to preserving the environment 

According to Vusi Mona, SANRAL General Manager of Communications, the agency always strives to meet the requirements as set out in Environmental Management Plan (EMP) per project. 

The agency is committed to preserving the environment and the crucial role that trees play. In 2015, when trees along the R511 at the Hartbeespoort Dam had to be removed, it was done to improve the safety of road users. 

In that instance, the agency obtained a permit from the Department of Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) in Mmabatho, North West, to remove these trees. Many of them were either obstructing sight distances, were too close to the side of road or too close to structures such as concrete-lined side drains and bridges. 

Mona said: “We are always considerate of the environment when building roads; whether it’s removing indigenous plants on a planned road reserve, managing stray animals crossing the road or digging-up rocks and sand for construction.  

“We have an EMP for every project and it guides us to minimise or avoid adverse environmental impact.” 

This goes beyond just relocating trees. A construction, area has to be fully rehabilitated so that it will be usable again. For example, if grass has been dug up, it will be replanted and maintained over time. 

SANRAL always consults and acquires permits from the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to ensure that all requirements are met before construction takes place. 

SANRAL preserves historical structures

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A 110-year-old bridge will remain in place as new structure is built alongside it. 

The Hamilton Bridge, named after Sir Hamilton Goold-Adams, governor of the Orange River Colony, provides access to vehicular traffic from the town crossing the Wilge River.

The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) strives to preserve historical structures as far as possible, keeping with the legislation of the South African Heritage Resources Agency.  

Any structure that is more than 60 years old must be protected in terms of heritage requirements.  

It was with this in mind that SANRAL ensured the historical, single-lane Hamilton Bridge over the Wilge River remained intact and is building a new double-lane bridge next to the current one on Murray Street, as part of the upgrade of the N5 between Harrismith and Industriqwa.  

From old to new 

During the Anglo Boer War (1899-1902), British troops were deployed near Basuto Hill – the area known as Wilgepark.  

To enable the soldiers encamped in that area to reach the town, a suspension bridge was built over the Wilge River by the Royal Engineers.  

The structure was washed away in March 1904. By then, the regiments were gradually moving to barracks on King’s Hill and complete repair of the bridge seemed unnecessary. The troops made a temporary footbridge of planks resting on barrels.  

Today, at the same spot, a sturdier structure called the Hamilton Bridge, named after Sir Hamilton Goold-Adams, governor of the Orange River Colony, provides access to vehicular traffic from the town crossing the Wilge River.  

It was opened to traffic on 7 August 1907. Soon, a few metres away, the new Murray Street bridge will carry this traffic. 

Huguenot Tunnel temporarily closed

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Motorists should expect delays while travelling on the N1 between Paarl and Worcester, due to the temporary closure of the Huguenot Tunnel.

Electricity supply has led to the temporary closure of the Huguenot Tunnel. Motorists are advised to make use of alternative routes such as the Du Toits Kloof pass.

The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) advises motorists to expect delays while travelling on the N1 between Paarl and Worcester, due to the temporary closure of the Huguenot Tunnel.

The safe operation of the tunnel is dependent on Eskom electricity supply. The electricity is primarily required for the lighting, extraction of exhaust fumes and advanced detection systems.

 Although the tunnel has emergency backup systems, these cannot be used for prolonged periods of time, and eventually we have no option but to close the tunnel until the Eskom power supply has been restored.

The Eskom power lines have tripped due to the high winds and rain experienced last night. Eskom has assured that they are working on the faults and power will be restored as soon as possible.

During the tunnel closure, motorists are advised to make use of alternative routes such as the Du Toits Kloof pass.

Motorists are to drive with extreme caution given the weather conditions, and allow extra travelling time to reach their destinations. Motorists can also subscribe to receive regular real-time updates and alerts regarding the Huguenot Tunnel and other major Cape Town freeways via www.i-traffic.co.za.

Horizon 2030 to transform the construction industry

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SANRAL’s new strategic vision seeks to create an equal and transformed South Africa.

SANRAL is unwavering in its commitment to ensure the inclusive participation of black South Africans in the opportunities generated by the agency’s annual financial investment in the construction sector and related industries.

Changing South Africa into an equitable society is at the heart of the National Development Plan, as well as the South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited’s (SANRAL) new strategic vision, Horizon 2030, and its accompanying transformation drive.

The aim of the new strategic vision is to transform the construction industry by growing small businesses, with the emphasis on black- and women-owned SMMEs.

The objective is to ensure a competitive, contestable market with a substantial and sustainable number of black participants, with no barriers to market entry and thus a healthy level of competition that results in competitive pricing.

Inclusive participation

SANRAL is unwavering in its commitment to ensure the inclusive participation of black South Africans in the opportunities generated by the agency’s annual financial investment in the construction sector and related industries.

It encourages joint ventures between big companies and SMMEs, with the emphasis on local small businesses. It seeks to create more opportunities for black businesses in the supply chain, more participation by women and youth, job upskilling, basic training and assistance for SMMEs.

Horizon 2030 also elevates stakeholders into a core business pillar, as the agency recognises the need for ongoing dialogue and engagement to address concerns and establish buy-in for the road ahead.

It is for this reason that SANRAL went to all nine provinces to invite stakeholders to engage with the draft Transformation Policy and provide input, to shape the final document to be tabled at Cabinet level.

Engaging stakeholders

Starting out with four transformation engagements in October 2017 in Gauteng, more than 30 sessions were held that allowed SANRAL to listen to the concerns of all stakeholders, to take them on board and address them.

Some of the recurring themes include uncertainty about how serious the agency is about making its new vision a reality, insistence that local labour and businesses should get priority and a desire that engagements should not just be a once-off but should be continuous.

To this end, SANRAL is confident its policy will be approved and implemented during the 2018/19 financial year.

Already the agency has set up several project liaison committees (PLCs) that will play a pivotal role in ensuring the participation of locals on projects.

More will be set up, comprising representatives from SANRAL, the consultants, contractors, traditional leadership and other relevant stakeholders.

As part of its ongoing stakeholder communications, SANRAL will continue to convene dialogues, roundtable discussions and information sessions, not only to address supply chain opportunities for SMMEs, but to promote its bursary, scholarship and internship programmes.

Overall, the feedback from the engagements has been positive and communities welcome the opportunity to be informed of the roads agency’s operations and the opportunities these create for the local economies.

Why do pedestrians brave death to cross freeways?

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SANRAL-facilitated research provides greater understanding of road user behaviour that will be used to increase safety. 

SANRAL recently constructed three new pedestrian bridges on the N17 between Springs and Johannesburg, which promise to reduce the risk of pedestrians and cyclists being run over by cars when crossing the busy highway.

Research conducted on the Cape Town freeway network is shining more light on why pedestrians cross busy highways, braving the potential danger of being involved in an accident with fast-moving vehicles, despite the presence of pedestrian bridges.  

Coordinated by Professor Marion Sinclair of the University of Stellenbosch’s Department of Civil Engineering and Prof Mark Zuidgeest of the Centre for Transport Studies at the University of Cape Town, the study adds to a greater understanding about pedestrian behaviour and will have an impact on the provision of road infrastructure, traffic law enforcement and education and awareness campaigns targeting specific road user behaviour. 

The research was facilitated by the South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL), which commissioned the pedestrian count and provided the data for analysis.  

CCTV cameras on Cape Town freeways monitor the activities of pedestrians, with up to 30000 pedestrian activities being observed on a regular week day.  

Crime and time amongst reasons 

SANRAL has built several pedestrian bridges across the roads. Part of the research was aimed at determining whether people make use of these bridges and what can be done to influence their choices.  

The study found that time saving and a fear of criminals were among the top reasons why pedestrians decided to cross the road, both in instances where bridges were close by and where they were absent.  

Many pedestrians were prepared to take the risk of venturing onto the road rather than becoming victims of crime on, or close to, the bridges. 

Among the recommendations are that more pedestrian bridges should be erected, but that they cannot be provided without reliable security systems that ensure the personal safety of pedestrians who use them.  

This will require partnerships between road authorities and law enforcement in implementing sustainable solutions.  

A good example of this is the deployment of additional CCTV cameras as part of the Freeway Management System, located specifically at known hotspot pedestrian bridges.  

These cameras are monitored 24/7 by law enforcement operators on the lookout for suspicious behaviour or potential danger. 

Taking road safety to schools and homes

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SANRAL works with experts, education and local authorities to develop educational materials and implement programme. 

Elna Fourie, SANRAL’s Manager: Road Safety Education and Awareness, said: “The teaching material is designed and developed to support teachers, especially in rural communities, who do not have ready access to resources.  

Teachers and parents across the country will soon have access to innovative teaching aids that will enable them to convey vital road safety messages at schools and in family settings. 

The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) is developing these educational materials based on extensive research conducted over the past five years and with the aid of experts in the fields of education, road safety and graphic design.  

SANRAL is working closely with the Department of Basic Education, provincial and local transport authorities in the implementation of this road safety education programme.  

The resource box will be provided to schools that participate in SANRAL’s road safety education and awareness programmes, and were selected for the agency’s behavioural research project.  

Elna Fourie, SANRAL’s Manager: Road Safety Education and Awareness, said: “The teaching material is designed and developed to support teachers, especially in rural communities, who do not have ready access to resources.  

“Basic road safety education is included in the curriculum in Grades 1 to 6, but it is expected of teachers to develop their own learning opportunities (lessons) that fit in with the development stages of their learners.” 

The SANRAL material helps to fill those gaps.  

Included in the resource box are colourful education aids that can assist in teaching children various aspects of basic road safety, explaining the importance of road signs, traffic lights, pedestrian zebra crossings and much more, supplemented by road safety tips and basic information on good road behaviour.  

It consists of transparencies, flash cards, posters and signs, and contains ideas on how teachers and learners can design and make their own material.  

Teachers also receive manuals and documents they can use in the presentation of the lessons, as well as suggestions for activities that can take place in the classroom or outdoor settings.  

SANRAL is working closely with the Department of Basic Education, provincial and local transport authorities in the implementation of this road safety education programme.

SANRAL’s Freeway Management System keeps motorists in the know

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System on strategic KwaZulu-Natal road sections provides real-time information to road users on possible obstructions. 

SANRAL first embarked on the implementation of the FMS on strategic road sections in KwaZulu-Natal during 2009 following the successful pilot FMS implementation on the Ben Schoeman Highway in Gauteng. 

Motorists using KwaZulu-Natal freeways can make smart decisions to remain safe and avoid congestion, thanks to the implementation of the Freeway Management System (FMS). 

The system relays real-time information to alert motorists about incidents that could be unsafe and are likely to cause build-up of traffic and subsequent delays. 

Dumisani Nkabinde, Eastern Region manager for the South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL), said: “A freeway can have six lanes but a single incident, such as a breakdown or a collision, can have a major impact on the flow of traffic in both directions.” 

Nkabinde said the FMS consisted of technologies and strategies to monitor, control, and manage freeway traffic more effectively. 

Safer roads and quicker travel times 

SANRAL first embarked on the implementation of the FMS on strategic road sections in KwaZulu-Natal during 2009 following the successful pilot FMS implementation on the Ben Schoeman Highway in Gauteng. 

The FMS system entails the active management of road networks using Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) technologies. ITS involves the integrated deployment of communications technologies, traffic management software and control devices such as closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV), variable message signs (VMS) and traffic detectors to enable the active management and monitoring of freeways. 

“The many benefits to the road user on such a managed network include improved congestion management, faster detection, verification and response to road incidents such as accidents, road obstructions and road hazards, as well as the provision of real-time traveller information to road users. 

“These benefits directly result in safer roads, savings in travel times and fuel costs, as well as contributing to a cleaner environment,” said Nkabinde. 

Detection time of 76 seconds per incident 

The FMS in KwaZulu-Natal currently covers around 120km of the busiest sections of the N2 and N3 – from the Prospecton interchange on the N2, northward to the Watson Highway interchange, and on the N3 from the Candella Road bridge to the Market Road.  

Further expansions are in the process of being implemented from Market Road to the Cedara Interchange, which includes the high-accident zone at Town Hill. 

These freeway sections are equipped with 147 CCTV cameras, 26 VMS units and 57 radar vehicle detection units, all linked through a fibre optic communications backbone to a Traffic Management Centre (TMC) located at the SANRAL offices in Pietermaritzburg. 

Nkabinde said incident detection and verification of times in KZN were impressive, with the average detection time down to 76 seconds. 

“This is in large part accomplished by an efficient TMC operations team and an effective performance monitoring regime. 

“The TMC works closely with and provides real-time traffic and accident information to the various authorities involved in road incident management, such as police and emergency services. 

“To further improve the response to traffic incidents, officers from KZN provincial police are currently collocated at the TMC.”  

The SANRAL TMC operates on a 24/7 basis and has 23 staff involved in road network monitoring and incident management. 

It deals with an average of 800 traffic-related incidents every month. Stationary vehicles on the network (mostly heavy motor vehicles) account for just over half of all the traffic incidents detected. 

Approximately 17% of the total traffic-related incidents are vehicle accidents, which equates to an average of 140 accidents per month. Most of these accidents (over 70%) involve light motor vehicles either in single or multiple vehicle collisions. 

The freeway sections around the EB Cloete systems interchange (Spaghetti Junction) and the Umgeni interchange on the N2 record the highest number of traffic incidents. 

SMS and Twitter alerts 

A traveller information website www.i-traffic.co.za is also available to the public and provides useful information such as traffic conditions, road works, road conditions, congestion and traffic alert information.  

Users can also register on site and subscribe for free SMSes and email traffic alerts. There is real-time viewing of the various camera feeds along the routes. 

Traffic information is also posted via social media such as Twitter. Messages are posted via the @i_trafficKZN twitter account, which currently has around 175 000 followers. 

Fences erected to make freeways safer

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SANRAL takes steps to enhance traffic and pedestrian safety on the N2 and N3 in KwaZulu-Natal. 

The fencing, which stands at almost 2,5m high, is manufactured from galvanised pressed high-density mesh panels with anti-cut dimensions and galvanized spikes bolted along the top.

To prevent the further unnecessary loss of lives, vandal-proof fences are being erected at additional vulnerable sections of the N3 and N2 in KwaZulu-Natal. 

Pedestrians have been hit by vehicles when they attempt to cross freeways instead of using overhead bridges in the vicinity. 

The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) is presently erecting fencing between Chota Motala Bridge and Chatterton Rd on the N3 Pietermaritzburg Bypass. 

Fencing is also being installed over a 2km section of the N3 at Cliffdale and a 2km section of the N2 at Kwa Mashu. 

SANRAL has previously erected fences on the N3 near the Mariannhill Toll Plaza to prevent hawkers from gaining access to the toll. 

Fences have also been put up on the N3 Pietermaritzburg Bypass in the median between Chota Motala Bridge and Ohrtmann Road, and in the median opposite the BP Oasis service station at Cato Ridge. 

Pedestrians need to play their part 

Bruno Cullen, SANRAL Eastern Region project manager, said pedestrians vandalised the fencing material that had previously been used along certain sections to prevent them from crossing the busy highway. 

“We have experimented with vandal-proof fences, which have so far proven to be most effective in preventing people from crossing and causing an unsafe environment.” 

The fencing, which stands at almost 2,5m high, is manufactured from galvanised pressed high-density mesh panels with anti-cut dimensions and galvanized spikes bolted along the top. It is not possible to climb this type of fence and it is also difficult to cut. 

Cullen said it is a well-known fact that approximately 40% of all deaths on South African roads are pedestrians. 

“Pedestrians are the most vulnerable group of all road users and road safety is an important priority for SANRAL. 

“We invite the cooperation of pedestrians to ensure lives are not placed at jeopardy through the deliberate and wilful destruction of the fencing,” said Cullen, adding while walking to a bridge may take a while longer, it could mean the difference between life and death.”