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

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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Moloto Rd
Passes through or links 28 Villages

9. Moloto Rd
Schools 173 (51 in first 20 km)

10. Minor intersections

11. Major intersections

12. Informal Accesses

13. R573 – Encroaching Development Along Parts of Route

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

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

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

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

18. Crash Data Analysis

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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.

22. 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)

23. 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

24. 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

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

26. Proposed Cross Sections
Rural Sections: & Lane Configuration

27. Proposed Cross Sections
Rural Sections: & Lane Configuration

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

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

30. Thank You