A new task team has been formed to improve traffic signals and traffic flow in and out of Sandton, with the main aim being to have all traffic signals “working and synchronised” optimally.
The Sandton Central Traffic Signal Forum comprises the Sandton Central Management District (SCMD), State-owned power utility Eskom, the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and Traffic Freeflow.
“Contributing to the improvement are traffic signal upgrades, as well as recabling undertaken by the JRA, which will noticeably reduce the frequency of power outages to traffic signals in the area,” said SCMD city improvement district manager Elaine Jack.
To reduce power outages, an uninterrupted power supply project is being piloted at six intersections around Sandton Central, with several other options currently being reviewed to ensure the power to traffic signals is “always on”, including the possible use of backup generators and the benefit of applying a proactive maintenance protocol.
A new proactive, daily communication process will be established to ensure support on the ground when traffic signals were out of order.
“This will help shorten repair times and let Traffic Freeflow and the JMPD know where their support is needed at peak traffic times,” Jack notes.
“By working together to develop this system, we’re able to improve response times to put solutions in place and, at the same time, track recurring problems to identify where larger-scale remedial work is needed.”