The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport launched its vision towards growing the province’s economy and change mobility patterns within the city region.
Titled Growing Gauteng through Smart Mobility, the strategy looks at taking advantage of the province’s current standing as a gateway to Africa to position it as the freight and logistics hub for the country and the continent.
“Simply put, the plan we are bringing to the people of our province is about making mobility convenient. It is the blueprint of all the work we will be doing throughout the term to integrate public transport, build a smart transport infrastructure that leverages on available technology,” said Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure MEC Jacob Mamabolo.
He adds that the plan also prioritises rail as the backbone for the Gauteng’s transport system.
As part of the plan’s key objective of integrating all modes of transport to make travel efficient for commuters, the department has already made strides in operationalising the Transport Authority of Gauteng. This institution is critical in ensuring municipalities and provincial government align their transport planning.
“As the host of the Smarter Mobility Africa Conference, I am confident that Gauteng is on par with other world cities in prioritising smart mobility,” said Mamabolo.
Smart mobility involves creating connected and integrated transport systems, which offer flexibility and efficiency. This connectivity and integration will cut across all modes of transport forming a compact, integrated and efficient transport system.
The Smart Mobility 2030 plan is anchored around three strategic focus areas of infrastructure, operations and institutions. These focus areas are underpinned by technology and green transport, which includes non-motorised transport.
Another key strategic objective of the plan is to position Gauteng as the freight and logistics hub through establishing an intelligent freight network supported by efficient freight and logistics handling capacity and introduces data centric mobility.
“We should improve capacity, firstly to move freight back to rail and secondly to use technology to manage the movement of trucks to the ports and back. The plan also highlights the need to build strong institutions that will support its implementation over the next 10 years," said Mamabolo.
Other the key projects to be implemented include the following:
Expanding the Road Network to connect new nodes and to improve efficiencies in the movement of people and goods. These new links should be equipped with intelligent transport systems, integrated into other systems forming smart city;
Mapping and Digitising All Minibus Taxi Routes in the Province, digitize and create a hierarchy of existing formal and informal mini-bus taxi intermodal facilities in the Province;
Assessing the existing infrastructure and develop typical standard architecture and layouts for Minibus Taxi Facilities that will be used to develop these facilities throughout the Province;
Promoting transit-oriented development to decrease the distance people travel to places of work, leisure, education and home; and institute mechanisms to enforce spatial development frameworks;
Expedite the expansion of the Gauteng Rapid rail link to ease congestion and to provide a safe, efficient and rapid public transport service;
Integrating Gautrain with the other modes of Transport through the Transport Authority and Integrated Fare Management as well as
Infrastructure improvement for efficient movement of freight and reduction of congestion through a dedicated freight road and a rail bypass on the periphery of Gauteng and to support new intermodal terminals developed by Transnet.The department working together with all spheres of Government, will use smart mobility to reduce traffic congestion, increase road safety, improve the environment and make transportation more accessible and affordable.
For more information please contact:
Melitah Madiba
Cell: 073 644 9935
Theo Nkonki
Cell: 082 719 6404
E-mail : PressOffice.gpdrt@gauteng.gov.za
