Smart speed signs nudging better driver behaviour on High Level Road on Atlantic Seaboard
12 July 2023
The City of Cape Town’s Urban Mobility Directorate, through its section for Transport Network Technology (TNT), has installed smart speed signs along High Level Road on the Atlantic Seaboard. The intention of these signs is to curb speeding along this scenic access route.
‘Speeding, modified exhausts and negligent driving are some of the key problems facing residents of the Atlantic Seaboard. Councillor Nicola Jowell and I have received many complaints around this,’ said Ward Councillor Ian McMahon.
The new smart speed signs, located on 109 and 201 High Level Road, detect the speed of a vehicle and then display the measured speed on a Variable Message Sign (VMS) for the driver’s attention.
‘These signs have reduced speeding by up to 25% overseas. Thus, we decided to put together our Ward Allocations and requested two signs. Our ward boundary is Glengariff Road, with High Level Road traversing both wards from town to Bantry Bay,’ added Councillor McMahon.
‘We hope that if a driver sees the actual speed they are travelling on a 50km/h road it will create a front-of-mind message for the driver to slow down. Should this initiative succeed, we would like to see more of these speed regulators installed to curb speeding,’ said Ward Councillor Nicola Jowell.
‘Vehicles travelling in both directions on High Level Road were speeding, so these innovative global best practice nudging techniques in speed control management were needed in both directions to affect a change in driver behaviour. I am urging drivers to please be aware of the new warning system, to pay close attention, and adhere to the speed limit on this road,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
