Moloto Road (R573) Safety Investigations PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT 22 September 2015

Content Background Methodology Description and major features of the route Key road safety issues to be addressed Implementation Plan Engineering interventions

R573 – Moloto Road (Pretoria – Marble Hall) (37,5 km) (54,9 km) (46,7 km) R573 Total Length = 139,1 km

Background What makes this route different / “hazardous” ? Links 28 informal settlements and townships Serves as a primary mobility route Distinct travel patterns , under dark conditions Also serves an accessibility function High numbers of pedestrian activity Land use development not controlled, many unplanned (unlawful) accesses Design standards inconsistent, little regard for road safety Trading in the road reserve Road user behaviour issues Driving in face of oncoming traffic Illegal U-Turns Speeding Lack of basic road maintenance, edge breaks, road signs, street lighting, etc

Methodology Collect / Compile data and information on: Road environment Operational data: Traffic volumes, pedestrian activity Crash Data Visual assessments Identify the key conflict points: Location of main conflicts Type of road user behaviour leading to conflicts

Methodology (Continued) Identify Remedial Measures Engineering / Infrastructure Short, medium and longer term measures Enforcement Effective, consistent, continuous Education and Awareness Community Buy-in ( Establishment Steering Committees) Target the Schools

Moloto Road Class 2 Road Single carriageway Lanes widths varies 3,5m to 3,7 m With and without surfaced shoulder Distinct rural and urban (peri-urban) sections

Moloto Rd Passes through or links 28 Villages

Moloto Rd Schools 173 (51 in first 20 km)

Minor intersections

Major intersections

Informal Accesses

R573 – Encroaching Development Along Parts of Route

Crash Data Analysis (Limpopo) 64 month period, 44 crashes, no detail on severity

Crash Data Analysis (Limpopo) 64 month period, 44 crashes, no detail on severity

Crash Data Analysis (Mapumalanga) Number of Crashes by Day R573 (Mpumalanga Section) January 2012 to May 2014 29 month period, 489 crashes, 158 fatalities, 594 serious injuries

Crash Data Analysis (Mapumalanga) 29 month period, 489 crashes, 158 fatalities, 594 serious injuries

Crash Data Analysis

Crash Data Analysis Summary Mapumalanga Crash data 51% Saturday and Sunday 67% Friday, Saturday and Sunday 33% between 18:00 and 21:00 39% pedestrians

Key Road Safety Issues Route serves a Mobility Function (high speeds) Notwithstanding plans for rail, it will continue to serve mobility function Competing Mobility versus Accessibility Big differences in speeds Pedestrian activity Intersection Control (major conflict points) Pedestrians crossing and travelling along the route Trading in the road reserve Lack of adequate and appropriate Public Transport Facilities along the route Visibility Pedestrians Most of the activity takes place under dark conditions

Moloto Road (R573) - Current Status Mpumalanga and Limpopo portions (92.4 km) – Transferred to SANRAL: Gazette Published on 29 July 2015 (No.649) Gautenfgsection of Moloto Road: No formal request from Gauteng Premier to date. SANRAL already commenced with: Routine road maintenance on sections transferred: pothole repairs/ edge breaks crack sealing, cleaning of drains, guardrail repairs, new line markings, road sign repairs, etc all contributing to improved road safety in short term.

Implementation Plan Short Term (1 to 3 Years) Over the full length (92 km) Maintenance interventions Edge Breaks, road marking, road signs Verge (grass cutting, improve recovery zones) Upgrade all Bus Lay Bys to consistent standard Speed limit review of entire 92 km Focus on most critical section (first 25 km) Highest number of crashes Highest pedestrian volumes High density schools (51 schools in close proximity)

Implementation Plan Short Term (1 to 3 Years) Focus on most critical section (first 25 km) (continued) Upgrade major intersections Roundabouts Dedicated turning lanes at minor intersections Focus on Urban sections starting at Major intersections Upgrade to desired cross-section Fencing, walkways Closing of selected and most hazardous illegal accesses and reducing conflict movements Introduce new street lighting and repair existing street lights Relocate informal trading

Implementation Plan Medium Term (3 to 5 Years) Upgrades on all the urban sections, with priority starting from the south west to the north east, due to higher traffic pedestrian volumes and higher crash rates Consolidate accesses, 600m typical spacing throughout by closing illegal accesses, formalizing erf boundary walls and providing service roads behind the first row of erven where applicable. The most critical rural sections for capacity upgrades must be identified based on more detail traffic analysis, and traffic growth projects. The 2+1 and 2+2 lanes configuration, with centre barriers

Implementation Plan (5 to 10 Years) Upgrade the full 92 km to the proposed standard on both the urban and rural sections.

Proposed Cross Sections Rural Sections: 2 + 2 & 2 + 1 Lane Configuration

Proposed Cross Sections Rural Sections: 2 + 2 & 2 + 1 Lane Configuration

Proposed Cross Sections Urban Sections: (Mobility and Accessibility functions)

Proposed Cross Sections Urban Sections: (Mobility and Accessibility functions)

Thank You