The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) undertook a new project in Region F’s Johannesburg South this past financial year on Vickers Road and Fig Place Road (Flower Market) ward 57.
This project consisted of the installation of new traffic signals where the following scope was implemented:
1. Re-cabling
2. Compliance with the SARTSM (South African Roads Traffic Signs Manual) for the installation and/or upgrading of new and/or existing traffic signals Phasing and timing changes
3. Road signs and markings applicable at signalised intersections
4. Pothole patching
The commissioning of traffic signals is the legalising of the existence as well as functionality of the intersection as far as the National Road Traffic Act 13 of 1996 is concerned.
The commissioning of a Traffic Signal entails functionality checks that relate to how the signal is operating, for example:
1. Compliance with the SARTSM
2. Safety
3. Systems Check
4. Certification
5. Sign-off
This means a great deal for the surrounding community as it means manageable and safe traffic flow with the Traffic Signals now being operational.
The JRA has received negative publicity in recent months, due to the high number of non-operational traffic signals as a direct result of theft and vandalism to the infrastructure. This, includes cable theft, vandalism and theft of controllers, theft and/or destruction of all infrastructure at signalized intersections which has resulted in many of the traffic signals being non-functional.
Maintenance of traffic signals is governed by proactive routine maintenance and/ or reactive routine maintenance. The reasons behind the required implementation on Traffic Signals lies in its warrants as per the SARTSM and various aspects of the intersection that motivates the traffic signal installation.
The traffic signal will have vehicle and pedestrian detection installed, which will allow the traffic signal to stay green on Vickers Road and only cycle to the side roads (Fig/Marjorie). When a vehicle stops at the stop line on the road side or if the pedestrian pushbutton is activated.
Vehicle detection at this traffic signal uses an inductive loop. The magnetic field changes if metal objects such as vehicles pass over the inductive loop. The vehicle presence or push button detection then gets registered by the traffic signal controller, where after the applicable stages are called and the side roads are serviced.
Meryl Erasmus, the Manager: Traffic Signal Design at JRA, says: “Essentially what we are doing today is switching on the traffic signals, which means we are commissioning, and when we are commissioning that means we ensure that the traffic lights are functioning according to the plans. From a community perspective, it ensures the safe operation of the signal. The traffic light itself is warranted, meaning it is required to improve the operation of the intersection and reduce congestion. The contractors have used special poles and cabling for the traffic lights, which makes it less valuable for thieves. They are not using the full copper cabling.”
Traffic signal timings can differ throughout the day: morning and afternoon peak, peak, off-peak and night plans can get implemented and are calculated on – among other factors – vehicle volumes. For example, at this intersection, the turning arrows will not be operational during the night plan, as there is no demand.
The public is requested to report any suspicious activity in an effort to curb theft and vandalism of traffic signals.
08/09/2022
