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Roads authorities focus on pedestrians, cyclists, the vulnerable road user

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In South Africa, non-motorised-transportation is a reality as it is either the only available mode of transport or the most affordable.

The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) is making sure there is a focus on pedestrians and cyclists during the planning, design and implementation of road infrastructure.

This was the resounding message from the recently-held seminar of the South African Road Federation (SARF) in partnership with SANRAL.

Speaking to delegates, SANRAL Provincial Coordinator and SARF National Road Safety Chairperson Gail Bester said: “Over the decades, the industry has made significant strides in designing infrastructure that is faster, wider and more efficient for motorised transport; whilst non-motorised transport has not received the focus it deserves. It cannot be treated as an add-on at the risk of being ad hoc and fragmented.”

It is for this reason the SARF Road Safety Committee saw the need to host its first seminar dedicated to promoting the non-motorised transport agenda.

The line-up of speakers included amongst others, Abram Chego from the National Department of Transport, Dr Marianne Vanderschuren from the University of Cape Town, and Dr Pieter Venter from the Global Road Safety Programme.

Presentations covered a broad range of issues from the Draft Green Paper on Roads Policy for South Africa, funding options for implementing non-motorised transport (NMT) infrastructure including existing DOT grants, to NMT appraisal and assessment tools.

There was also a focus on the use of technology to monitor, detect, track and count pedestrians for safety and security benefits, as well as lessons learnt on several NMT case studies.

Pedestrians most vulnerable

In South Africa, NMT is a reality as it is either the only available mode of transport or the most affordable.

According to the National Household Travel Survey, 2.9-million workers walk from home to places of employment and 12.7-million learners walk to school daily.

Yet, pedestrians are the most vulnerable road user considering this group accounts for 1 456 of the 3 904 fatalities recorded by the Road Traffic Management Corporation between October to December 2016.

Bester said: “The fact that motor vehicles have been the dominant mode of transport in road designs is apparent in the high crash fatalities involving pedestrians. It was therefore necessary that we initiated dialogue amongst us as industry professionals to mainstream NMT considerations in the planning, design and implementation of road infrastructure.

“This is aligned with the resolutions of the National Road Safety Strategy, the vision of the United Nations Decade of Action, and the recently formalised NMT Guidelines developed by the National Department of Transport.”

Finding a balance

SANRAL Project Manager Siveshni Pillay was one of 11 speakers and she delivered a presentation focused on the recently-developed draft pedestrian and public transport facility guidelines document for national roads.

Pillay explained that historically, SANRAL managed mainly high mobility corridors including freeways. Since taking over additional routes from the provinces, with substantial public transport and pedestrian activities and facilities, SANRAL had to manage the balance between freeway mobility, public transport and the accommodation of pedestrians.

“SANRAL’s guidelines provide direction to designers and decision makers on design principles for the development of an integrated roadway that ensures the safety and mobility of all road users,” explained Pillay.

It draws on lessons learnt on the routes taken over by SANRAL such as the R573 Moloto Road from Gauteng to Mpumalanga and Limpopo, R71 in Limpopo and R61 in the Eastern Cape. Engineering solutions took into account rural settlements and schools along these routes which means a high number of pedestrians, as well as informal trading on the road reserve which add to the number of pedestrians on the national roads.

Presented on a public platform for the first time, the SANRAL guidelines will be piloted to test the practicalities and workability of some of the proposed solutions. The guidelines will also be shared with industry players for comment.

“As SARF, we are committed to rolling out similar seminars nationally. It is time to transform our space, change our thinking and promote the NMT agenda,” Bester ended.

Stellenbosch Smart Mobility Lab

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The SSML, which has been used by approximately 150 students since 2016 for research purposes, is a physical environment based in the civil engineering department of Stellenbosch University.

The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited’s pursuit for innovative ways to make travelling a pleasure are evident in the work The Stellenbosch Smart Mobility Lab (SSML) does.

A researcher’s paradise, the SSML brings together multiple disciplines to study traffic patterns so we can predict behaviour and build more intuitively.

The SSML was established in the faculty of engineering at Stellenbosch University in June 2014. It focuses on technology applications to transport problems (also known as intelligent transportation systems).

It provides a platform for the development of innovative and cost-effective transportation solutions for developing countries. This state-of-the-art research and teaching environment, established in partnership with SANRAL, is specifically geared towards addressing traffic problems in developing countries like ours.

A smart city

The SSML is positioned to help make Stellenbosch the first transport orientated “smart city” in South Africa.

A smart city incorporates a wide range of system improvements, each designed to move people and goods more efficiently. It uses data, information technology and communications to optimise infrastructure usage and improve services such as electricity, communications, infrastructure management, water provision and transportation.

Associate Professor of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) at Stellenbosch University, Dr Johann Anderson, said: “Stellenbosch is well connected with surrounding areas – with five arterial routes extending from the town centre in a radial configuration. These radial routes then join to form a single north-south arterial road west of the town centre – Adam Tas Road – which is the most congested during peak hours of traffic.”

This makes Stellenbosch the perfect testing ground for ITS applications in South Africa, which can then be tested in the SSML and distributed throughout Africa.

Promoting interdisciplinary research

The SSML, which has been used by approximately 150 students since 2016 for research purposes, is a physical environment based in the civil engineering department of Stellenbosch University.

It facilitates undergraduate and postgraduate research in transportation engineering and ITS applications. The lab is shared by students working on transportation issues from multiple disciplines, including civil engineering, electrical and electronic engineering and industrial engineering. It is a rich source of information for anyone interested in building a better and more efficient future for our country.

The students who frequent the SSML represent a wide range of interests even within their fields, from transport safety, traffic engineering and systems engineering to computer programming and electronic development.

The lab environment thus encourages interdisciplinary research that can provide a more complete picture of how South Africa moves and what changes in that movement.

SANRAL’s Western Region Engineering Manager for Operations, Randall Cable, said: “New ITS techniques, such as the computer vision technology developed by Hardy van Zyl, a graduate of the SSML, assist traffic engineers to analyse and understand traffic patterns. This analysis of data assists the SSML to conduct future research into ITS solutions – not only to the congestion on roads in Stellenbosch, but also in ways to enhance traveler information, made available to users of the local transportation system further afield.

“This will greatly contribute towards the improvement of mobility in the smart city environment, with an emphasis on providing sustainable and cost-effective solutions for developing countries.”

Motorists can expect smooth sailing in the North West

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R24 inside
SANRAL is committed to creating equitable access for small contractors, particularly black-owned companies, to access opportunities through procurement.

The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited’s flagship project in the North West province is on course to be completed in time.

The project is a major upgrade to the R24, which entailed developing a 12km dual carriageway from Magaliesberg Mountain to the Marikana Road at Buiten Street. The improvements are almost complete and SANRAL expects the road to be open to motorists in July.

The upgrade is intended to reduce heavy congestion during peak hours and create improved accessibility to the N4, Rustenburg’s industrial areas and Waterfall Mall, as well as being a conduit to further development on vacant land.

Valued at R194.9-million, the project is part of the 1500km of North West provincial roads that were incorporated into the SANRAL national road network.

Small businesses benefit

The project is already creating jobs and business opportunities for communities in the region.

SANRAL is committed to creating equitable access for small contractors, particularly black-owned companies, to access opportunities through procurement.

Hennie Kotze, SANRAL’s Senior Project Engineer, said: “As part of the contract, SANRAL required the main contractors to allocate 12% of the value of work to targeted enterprises and 6% to the employment of local labour – a move which has contributed to job creation and skills development in the area.”

Makulu Construction is one of 13 small businesses that have been subcontracted on the project.

“Makulu received a R10m allocation for civil works. This included installing subsoil drains and constructing drain inlet boxes, head and wing walls, kerbs, brick wall and paving,” explained Kotze.

The company’s directors, Jimmy Ntuli and Johan Jansen van Vuuren, boast a combined eight years’ experience and have been at the helm of the company since it began operations in April 2013.

Ntuli is pleased the company was subcontracted by WBHO (the main contractor) on the project.

“The R24 Rustenburg project is important for the area, as it will help traffic flow and prevent serious traffic incidents,” said Ntuli.

Locals enjoy employment

The project also provided work for local people. Makulu’s R24 project office, for instance, has 40 employees. Eighty percent (32) are contract-based employees sourced from communities in close proximity to the project.

“Employees also received training to safely operate the grinder, walk behind concrete cutter, handheld concrete cutter and concrete breaker,” Ntuli said.

With its head office in Pretoria, Makulu operates countrywide and in neighbouring countries and specialises in civil, drilling and blasting works.

The company employs 24 permanent office and management personnel. It is recognised by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) as a Grade 3CE PE contractor.

Birds saved in environmentally friendly construction

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In addition to flamingos and pelicans, Barberspan is home to maccoa duck, chestnut-banded plover, black-necked grebe, Namaqua sandgrouse, greybacked sparrow lark and swallow-tailed bee-eater.

The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) knows that environmental management is a very important part of building and managing roads.

Constructing and operating roads can change the lay of the land, affect water resources and cause pollution. It can be particularly challenging when construction is in an environmentally sensitive area such as the Barberspan Bird Sanctuary in North West, one of South Africa’s most important bird havens.

Barberspan was one of the first wetlands in South Africa to be covered under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. Home to thousands of birds, it’s an important site for ornithological research and a premier birding destination.

The N14 bridge is of particular environmental interest. During its construction, SANRAL made sure it did not destroy the existing bridge under which a swallow colony existed. This came after SANRAL took into account an environmental impact recommendation. The new bridge crosses the sanctuary on the outskirts of Delareyville.

The rehabilitated and improved section of the N14 route between Delareyville and Sannieshof is making an important difference to both the community and bird refuge.

It was officially opened by Deputy Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga in March 2014 and is a vital link between Gauteng, North West, Northern Cape and Namibia.

It brings commerce, growth and prosperity to the area while safeguarding its valuable natural heritage

A haven for birds

Bird numbers at any time exceed 20 000 from 350 different species. In September and October, as the summer rains reach the area, the pan is often found teeming with more than 40 000 water birds, making it a bird lover’s paradise.

In addition to flamingos and pelicans, Barberspan is home to maccoa duck, chestnut-banded plover, black-necked grebe, Namaqua sandgrouse, greybacked sparrow lark and swallow-tailed bee-eater.

In days gone by, Barberspan was just a large, temporary pan in the fossil bed of the Harts River, formed and enlarged by northerly winds and massive herds of springbok trampling the edges of the waterhole.

Global report raises concerns about competitiveness

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South Africa’s global competitiveness has dropped one place – from 52 to 53 – in the latest report produced by the International Institute for Management Development.

The Institute cites a lack of sustainable and inclusive growth, high levels of structural unemployment and a lack of access to quality education as some of the reasons for the country’s continued poor performance in global competitiveness.

Despite poor performances on the economic indexes, the report notes that South Africa is ranked highly when it comes to the cost of living and effective personal income tax rates.

Local communities will get preference on Moloto Road

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Transport Minister Joe Maswanganyi has given assurances to communities located close to the R573 Moloto Road that local contractors and labour resources will be used during the upgrading of the road that links Gauteng to Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

According to Maswanganyi, an estimated total of 12 500 jobs will be created during the five-year project undertaken by SANRAL. Initial maintenance work has already begun and includes the clearing of stormwater pipes and culverts, the repairing of potholes and the fixing of road signs and markings.

Agreements between SANRAL and the main contractors on the road construction determine that training will be provided to all the people recruited to work on the project.

Business community informed about Wild Coast Road plans

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The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber was recently given a comprehensive overview on the progress made on the construction of the N2 Wild Coast Road.

This meeting formed part of SANRAL’s stakeholder relations programme to keep communities, organised business and labour and professional bodies informed about developments relating to the freeway in the Eastern Cape.

Craig McLachlan, the Project Manager and engineer, informed the chamber about the planned single-span bridges across the Msikaba and Mtentu River gorges, designed to be among the biggest bridges in Africa. He highlighted the impact the road will have on local economic development – especially tourism, agriculture and regional transportation – as well as SANRAL’s commitment to allocate important construction packages to local small and medium enterprises.

Gateway to Africa improved

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Small and medium enterprises in Limpopo will benefit greatly from the construction on the N1 ring road around Polokwane currently under way. The N1 is of great strategic importance to the country, as it serves as a gateway to the rest of Africa.

The ring road will improve traffic flows around Polokwane and the new roads and bridges will help to improve road safety, reduce crashes and shorten travel times.

Local small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) have been appointed as sub-contractors, creating job opportunities for the local communities. Contracts to the value of more than R85m were allocated to local SMMEs.

N7 construction nearing completion

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Construction of the Bokomo Street junction on the N7 freeway near Malmesbury is now expected to be completed by August 2018.

The N7 is the major economic artery that runs from Cape Town through the West Coast and Namaqualand region to the Namibian border.

The upgrading of the Bokomo junction forms part of the construction of a 4km double-lane highway between Abbotsdale and Malmesbury. A brand new bridge and off-ramps are built and the road is being widened. Provisions are made for pedestrians through the construction of strategically located walkways.

 

Road infrastructure features prominently in Minister’s first Budget

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Joe Maswanganyi

South Africa’s ambitious infrastructure programme is gaining momentum every day. Large public investment in ports, railways and roads will help alleviate supply-bottlenecks in the economy, while social infrastructure will improve the living conditions of the people.

This was the message from new Transport Minister Joe Maswanganyi, when he delivered his first Budget speech in Parliament in May. The Budget, he said, is designed to transform the lives of people and finance important interventions in road, rail, aviation and maritime transport.

State-owned enterprises overseen by his department will be monitored to ensure issues such as procurement, equity and transformation remain aligned with the government’s economic transformation programme.

Minister Maswanganyi said national roads agency SANRAL is in the process of developing a long-term strategy (Horizon 2030) that is in line with the vision and objectives of the National Development Plan. Included in this strategy is a transformation policy, which will “radically transform SANRAL’s procurement system”.

The Minister highlighted SANRAL’s achievements in job creation, skills development and SMME support over the past financial year. It trained 4 120 people in road building and other skills and created 15 721 jobs through the fulfilment of contracts.

“Our contract participation goals saw the development of 1 004 black-owned companies, individually contracted to perform work to the value of about R1.9bn,” he said.

Contractors have been appointed to start construction on Moloto Road. More than 12 500 jobs will be created in the course of this project. Maswanganyi indicated that contracts for bus operators on the route will be unbundled to widen participation by small, localised and designated groups.

Other issues highlighted by the Minister:

  • The Department is finalising its Public Transport Subsidy Policy, in which the focus will be on subsidising the user, rather than the operator. The Minister will soon meet with the taxi industry, the rail sector and bus operators to discuss the policy.
  • Transformation Summits will be held to explore opportunities in the transport sector that will benefit women, youth and people with disabilities.
  • Working together with the Competition Commission and law enforcement agencies, the Department “will uproot the practice of widespread collusion in the construction industry”.
  • The adoption by Cabinet of the National Road Safety Strategy 2016-2030 will strengthen the country’s commitment to implementing a 365-day-a-year road safety plan.

Department of Transport Budget in Numbers

Road Transport R27bn
Rail Transport R19bn
Public Transport R12.5bn
Civil Aviation R169m
Maritime R119m
Integrated Transport Planning R81m
Administration R406m
Total Budget 2017/18 R59bn