THE Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) is looking at the latest technology to build more durable roads, and at the same time alleviate traffic congestion.
Companies involved in developing innovative transport technologies met the JRA and the South African National Roads Agency Limited at the Joburg Theatre Complex in Braamfontein on 15 February to present their ideas on improving the state of roads and general traffic management.
Among them were SSI Engineers and Environmental Consultants, Techso and Basix Group. The managing director of the JRA, Duduzile Maseko, said further discussions would be held with Joburg residents.
It was the first mobility seminar to be hosted by the City since the launch of Joburg 2040, the City’s Growth and Development Strategy in October 2011. Joburg 2040 charts the city’s long-term strategic course, particularly with regard to accelerating economic growth and human development.
The seminar touched on factors that affect mobility in developing cities, the movement of people and goods, public transport and private cars, as well as the technology used to improve and help mobility. To meet Joburg’s mobility demands, a number of interventions will be put in place, such as public transport management improvements, traffic management and innovative green programmes, involving the increased use solar energy in traffic management.
In its presentation, Basix addressed specific market segments in intelligent transport solutions, x-ray scanning solutions, fibre optic communication, and control room solutions. It spoke about ways in which the company could help the JRA streamline its road technology, making for easier management.
Basix specialises in sign erection, traffic accommodation and control room operation.
In his State of the Nation speech on 9 February, President Jacob Zuma spoke of the importance of infrastructure such as roads, and the need for it to generate skills and boost job creation.
In line with this, in its presentation, SSI spoke about how it could help the JRA improve its road infrastructure and at the same time create jobs for locals. The company is involved in road designs using various types of surface material, including rural access roads with gravel, where designs incorporate labour-enhanced construction methods and the empowerment of small local contractors.
SSI offered the JRA alternative ways to build roads and infrastructure, making less use of tar roads and alternatively using iron mesh between concrete, which makes for a harder, stronger road.
Source: Joburg.org.za