MEDIA RELEASE
SANRAL’s Intelligent Transport System (ITS) project is well underway
Gqeberha, 16 April 2025 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) is well on its way to developing the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) project in the Eastern Cape, a first of its kind in the province.
Speaking on the sidelines of a high-level visit to SANRAL Gqeberha offices by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mayibuye, Eastern Cape MEC for Transport and Community Safety Xolile Nqatha, as well as Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe, Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Eastern Cape’s Provincial Head, said the ITS project is SANRAL’s proactive response to improve road safety by keeping motorists informed of real time travel conditions on its national road network.
“The technology that is used on ITS enables us to respond speedily to incidents on our national road. Working together with law enforcement officials, the technology also assists us to further enhance and improve communication during cases of emergencies on our roads.”
“The ITS project will also assist to monitor vandalism on SANRAL’s R75 and N2 national roads in Gqeberha, as well as to respond to safety related issues on the road network. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by June this year,” said Peterson.
In partnership with the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality, which is currently in the process of piloting a traffic signal project at selected intersections in the Nelson Mandela Bay, SANRAL intends to extend this project once its Interim Traffic Monitoring Centre (ITMC) is operational and specific protocols are put in place. It is envisaged that the ITMC will be operational from June this year.
According to Danfred Adams, SANRAL’s Project Manager on the ITS project, as part of efforts to address community safety concerns, SANRAL is in discussion with the municipality and it is considering monitoring some of identified traffic signals from the ITMC, which will include 24/7 CCTV surveillance, infra-red and thermal technology, tamper and proximity alarms, and work together with public law enforcement and private security to respond to suspicious activities in the Nelson Mandela Bay. 2
“In the Nelson Mandela Bay, we will install CCTV cameras along the N2, R75 and R335 national roads. The R75 and Mati Road intersection was also identified as a pilot project to implement and test the ITS security and vandalism solution by monitoring and responding to theft and vandalism of the traffic signal infrastructure.”
“Through our ongoing engagement with the municipality and the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, SANRAL will also pursue public private partnerships where the business community can partner on some of these initiatives such as Adopt a Traffic Signal or by sponsoring provision of private security services. We will also involve the community in further consultations and community-based projects,” said Adams.
The ITS project has so far created a total of 104 job opportunities where 53 job opportunities have been created for adults and 51 job opportunities for young people. A total of 24 people continue to receive training by accredited training service providers. Local subcontractors were also employed to work on the project until March this year, with an estimated total expenditure of over R41 million.
“In light of recent unfortunate crashes along the R75 national road, the conflict points have generally been the intersections where general bad road user behaviour is a primary contributor. The general road infringements and traffic violations are being addressed and are being prioritised. As the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality finds ways to find a more permanent solution to theft and vandalism of its traffic lights, SANRAL will work with the traffic law enforcement to see how we can assist and support,” added Adams.
In the long-term, the project will also be rolled out to the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Sarah Baartman District Municipality, and Amathole District Municipality.
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