Jacobs
12 October 2006
Our roads are becoming more congested each year and motorists driving into
the major cities are facing the worst traffic jams. What could be the
solution?
Gauteng Public Transport, Roads and Works MEC Ignatius Jacobs says the
answer lies in building partnerships and working together with all stakeholders
towards a common goal.
Motorists can assist by obeying the rules of the road, leaving their cars at
home and use public transport, including by using ride-sharing, or lift
clubbing.
Jacobs was speaking at the preview of the introduction of a High Occupancy
Vehicle (HOV) lane on the N1 highway between Johannesburg and Tshwane, which
will be operational between 23 and 27 October 2006.
With the month of October dedicated to public transport awareness in an
effort to maximise the use of public transport, the launch of the Intelligent
Transport System (ITS) in the province could not have come at a better time to
address some of the challenges faced by our public transport system.
This year's Public Transport Month focuses on the concrete steps being taken
by national and provincial government to ensure increased use of public
transport, affordability of public transport, promotion of access to public
transport; and the promotion of a safer public transport system.
With over 160 000 cars reportedly moving between the City of Tshwane and
Johannesburg on the Ben Schoeman Highway daily, the Gauteng Department of
Public Transport, Roads and Works together with the national department of
transport and the South African National Roads Agency Limited, is piloting an
intelligent transport system with the aim of rolling it out to most of the
major roads in the province.
Multi-faceted initiatives are being implemented to influence road user's
behaviour to rethink their travelling choices. Chief among these is the
Intelligent Transport System that will go a long way in improving road safety
and reducing traffic congestion.
Travel Demand Management strategies including dedicated lanes for public
transport and HOVs are also being used to incentivise private car users to move
to public transport.
The ITS is a system of which the purpose is to transmit real-time traffic
and road conditions information to ordinary road users, traffic authorities and
emergency services so that they can make informed decisions in response to
traffic delays and bad road conditions.
South Africa has not tested this system until now, with Gauteng becoming the
piloting province to experience the start of a five year ITS project that will
focus particularly on the Ben Schoeman Highway.
"More cameras and variable message signs have been installed throughout the
highway to capture and transmit traffic information for road users. The
intention is to utilise technology to provide useful information for a less
stressful driving experience," says MEC Jacobs. In practical terms, this means
road users will receive real-time traffic information from the ITS in order to
make informed decisions in cases of delays and accident occurrences.
"This also has an element of fighting crime in it as one of our partners is
the South African Police Service (SAPS). It also means that emergency services
can be more responsive to emergency situations and will be in a position to
save more lives.
"Traffic authorities will be more responsive to hazardous incidents and
delays, thereby contributing to road safety (as one of our objectives is also
to reduce road fatalities). But most importantly, ITS will assist tremendously
in combating vehicle crimes, identification of expired vehicle licences and
outstanding traffic fines," said Jacobs.
Issued by: Department of Public Transport, Roads and Works, Gauteng
Provincial Government
12 October 2006
Source: SAPA
