Technology set to ‘revolutionise’ Gauteng freeways

LAST TUESDAY saw the launch by transport minister Jeff Radebe of the first phase of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project, part of a R70m investment by the government in road infrastructure. The event coincided with the 40th anniversary of Gauteng’s Ben Schoeman highway, one of the busiest in the world, carrying more than 180 000 vehicles a day during peak periods. As part of the project extra lanes will be built and the interchanges improved to prevent delays. Technological interventions like Intelligent Transport Systems comprising variable message signs, a network management centre, ramp metering and the opening of auxiliary lanes are all designed to manage traffic flow and keep road users informed of prevailing conditions and so improve their travelling experience. This will enable the Network Management Centre to act as a communication hub, passing traffic and construction information through a web site, variable message signs, radio and the internet. “Eventually this will be able to provide information like “estimated time of arrival” to drivers, which has proved elsewhere to cut down levels of frustration and anger experienced in heavy traffic,” said Radebe. “The GFIP is also building on existing open road tolling started by Bakwena on the N1 and N4 routes, using technology to ensure that toll collection is effected in the most convenient and appropriate way for heavily trafficked sections of road. Electronic tolling will also be introduced on the rest of the national tolled roads, with every effort being made to have operational integration between the various sections of road, using a single transponder in each vehicle to register use.” Phase 2 of the project will be launched after 2010.