Transport Month panel discussion tackles innovation
02 October 2024
The City’s Urban Mobility Directorate continued its Transport Month panel discussions at the Civic Centre earlier today, with experts and officials focusing on how innovation can transform mobility, and contribute to resilient infrastructure and environmental sustainability.
The City of Cape Town is at a pinnacle point for transport innovation – be it in the recycled material we use to resurface roads, artificial intelligence to improve road safety and facilitate traffic flow, or bold steps to ensure uninterrupted power supply and infrastructure resilient to vandalism and theft.
'The advent of rail and steam engines, and the first cars transformed lives and shaped countries. Those were radical ideas at the time, new and modern and exciting, and today, at the City, we are applying the same bold thinking and rapid technological advancement as we are living through a new transport renaissance with complex challenges. The roll-out of the second phase of the MyCiTi bus service to the metro-south east demonstrates our unwavering commitment to moving people in a sustainable manner with bold infrastructure, such as the Sky Circle that is being constructed in Lansdowne, the future procurement of electric buses, or setting new standards in everything we do,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.
The following count among the Urban Mobility Directorate's bold innovations, the first to be pioneered by any municipality in South Africa:
- The implementation of thermal sensors at four pedestrian crossings in Blaauwberg – along Marine Drive opposite Milky Lane, along Otto du Plessis Drive opposite Seal Road; along Otto du Plessis Drive at Shell Road and along Otto du Plessis Drive close to Hill Road, opposite Doodles – the first of its kind in South Africa. This innovative system is widely used in Europe to improve traffic. With this innovative system, the thermal sensors at pedestrian crossings are used to detect whether there is any pedestrian movement. Should the pedestrian leave the detection zone before the pedestrian cycle is activated, the pedestrian request will be cancelled altogether. Thus, vehicles will not be stopped unnecessarily.
- The activation of a reversible MyCiTi bus lane along the R27 between Loxton Road and Broad Road in Milnerton. This bus lane, for exclusive use by MyCiTi vehicles, permits inbound travel towards the Civic Centre in the morning and outbound travel towards Table View in the afternoon. The alternating direction flows are controlled and monitored through a technological system designed and implemented by the City. Two thermal AI cameras have been installed at the entrances of this lane to detect unauthorised vehicles, reverse entry, and entry-without-exit. The system is monitored from the Transport Management Centre (TMC) using a custom bus-lane dashboard. Operating personnel at the TMC manage the system and actively monitor the lane for safety concerns. If any problem is detected, both red bus lane signs revert to closed and an alarm is raised at the TMC.
- The piloting of underground chambers, also referred to as prefabricated underground utility manholes, for the safe storage of traffic signal controllers and uninterrupted power supply (UPS) systems at intersections prone to vandalism and theft. The prefabricated chambers are installed a few meters underground and attached to a concrete base. The traffic signal controllers and UPS system are stored inside the chamber, which is then sealed with a coded mechanical locking system. The chamber is non-metallic and ribbed for strength and has no resale value. Given that it is underground, attached to concrete, and can only be opened by trained technicians, this new innovation is a solution to the ongoing theft and vandalism of expensive City equipment at hotpot intersections.
- The construction of a freestanding elevated traffic circle, the first of its kind in South Africa, at the intersection of Govan Mbeki Road (M9) and Jan Smuts Drive (M17) in Lansdowne. This project showcases innovative engineering and forms part of the roll-out of the MyCiTi service to the metro-south east. It can be described as a hollow circle in the sky, letting in light to the intersection below; is 6,2m above the ground, and once complete, will be for the exclusive use of the MyCiTi buses. The free standing elevated circle will be the first in South Africa, demonstrating civil engineering at its best, to the benefit of all road users. By separating the MyCiTi buses from general traffic, the City will ensure the service operates optimally between Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha and Wynberg and Claremont without being delayed by the traffic or congestion at the ground level of the intersection. This design will benefit MyCiTi commuters as it will reduce the travelling time to their destinations.
In celebrating Transport Month, the Urban Mobility Directorate is travelling to different areas in Cape Town with community roadshows, where residents can learn more about current and upcoming projects. The Urban Mobility staff will also be available to speak to residents about exciting possibilities for those wanting to pursue a career in transport - this could be anything from building roads to planning for future transport demands and exciting innovative technologies to improve mobility.
Residents in the Northern district can join the team in Parow
• Thursday, 10 October 2024
• Parow Civic Centre
• 15:00 – 19:00
Residents in the Central district can join the team in Table View:
• Tuesday, 15 October 2024
• Leibrandt van Niekerk Community Hall
• 15:00 – 19:00
Residents in the Southern district can join the team in Athlone:
• Tuesday, 24 October 2024
• Dulcie September Civic Centre
• 15:00 – 19:00
Residents in the Eastern district can join the team in Somerset West:
• Tuesday, 29 October 2024
• Garden Village Community Hall
• 15:00 – 19:00
'I encourage residents to come visit us, and speak to our officials to learn more about our efforts to keep Capetonians moving,' said Councillor Quintas.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
