By Charles Molele
The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) said on Wednesday that it was addressing road safety concerns and responding to emergencies affecting traffic signals across the City of Johannesburg, despite significant challenges posed by rampant vandalism and frequent power outages, particularly in the city center.
Under its mandate, the JRA installs, maintains, and repairs traffic signals throughout Johannesburg.
It said dysfunctional traffic intersections not only disrupt service delivery but also pose a critical threat to road users’ safety.
The JRA manages a vast network of 2,023 signalized intersections, including over 16,000 poles, 100,000 LED bulbs, and 2,023 controller boxes and these components must function seamlessly at all times.
However, the agency currently faces over 360 cases of vandalism and theft, with new incidents reported daily. Damage ranges from cut poles to the removal of cables, significantly hampering operations.
The backlog of repairs due to theft, vandalism, and accidents exceeds R70 million, straining the entity’s maintenance budget.
Zweli Nyathi, CEO of the JRA, attributes malfunctioning traffic signals to technical faults, power outages, theft, vandalism, and accidents.
“Globally, cities face similar challenges, but it’s up to us to develop solutions tailored to South Africa’s unique context,” Nyathi said.
In collaboration with private-sector stakeholders and academic institutions, the JRA is actively exploring innovative solutions to mitigate these challenges.
“To address technical faults, the JRA has installed Remote Monitoring Systems (RMS) on more than 80% of our traffic light controllers. These systems detect and report over 90% of faults before they become apparent to the public, enabling faster responses,” said Nyathi.
“For power-related issues, the JRA has partnered with over 40 companies to connect traffic signals near their buildings to backup power supplies. To date, more than 80 intersections have been successfully linked, with plans to connect an additional 80 intersections by the end of June.”
Nyathi said that theft and vandalism not only affect JRA infrastructure but also compromise Eskom and City Power cables, leading to prolonged repairs.
“If left intact and maintained regularly, a traffic light can last up to 10 years. However, recurring theft and damage undermine this potential,” he said.
To address these issues, the JRA, in partnership with the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), has implemented measures to hold motorists accountable for accidents that damage traffic signals.
The JRA said many incidents are caused by distracted drivers, including those who are drunk, texting, or talking on their phones.
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems have also been challenged by theft.
Of the 1,400 UPS units installed at critical intersections, fewer than 15 remain operational, JRA said.
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