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OVERVIEW
The South African Road Agency Ltd (SANRAL), realising the increasing constraints on the provision of infrastructure to alleviate congestion and improve capacity, has commissioned the Freeway Management System (FMS) to deploy Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) technology along the N1 Ben Schoeman and M1 Freeways between Tshwane and Johannesburg in Gauteng, South Africa.
The implementing agencies were interested in improving capacity, safety, system performance and customer satisfaction. This relates to the following specific objectives:
- Improve safety on the road system
- Manage incidents
- Optimise traffic flow on arterial and freeway networks
- Reduce congestion
- Inform road users with timely and accurate information
- Co-ordinate traffic operations between agencies
Source: National Department of Transport
BENEFITS OF SYSTEM
The number of vehicles on Gauteng’s road network has increased dramatically in the last number of years, as is depicted below. This results in high levels of congestion on the freeway networks, as well as arterial roads.
Intelligent Transportation Systems, such as CCTV cameras and Variable Message Signs, offers the following advantages in addressing congestion:
- Improved incident management, reducing response times with up to 55%
- Modeling results showed that a 20min reduction in accident clearance on Ben Schoeman could save 740 travel time hours
- Pre-trip planning : could save 5 to 10 % in travel time
- Variable Message Signs (VMS) – can result in up to 3% reduction in accidents. Studies show that 30-90% users notice VMS signs, 40% change their route accordingly.
I-TRAFFIC LOCATION
The area covered by the Freeway Management System encompasses the Ben Schoeman Highway, which is an approximately 21km stretch of concrete-paved section of the N1 between the Brakfontein and Buccleuch Interchanges, as well as the M1 municipal/provincial freeway between Buccleuch and Empire Road Interchanges. The N1 and M1 connect the City of Tshwane in the north of Gauteng with the City of Johannesburg.
This is a highly trafficked route, carrying more than 100,000 vehicles per day on the concrete-surfaced section and more than 6,000 vehicles in a southerly direction alone during peak hour. There are three lanes in both directions, with an impassable concrete jersey barrier separating the two directions.
TECHNOLOGIES
The following technologies have already been implemented along the Ben Schoeman and M1 freeways as part of the Freeway Management System:
Communications
- A fibre optic dual redundant ring
- Wireless LAN
Data Collection
- Traffic Detectors
- CCTV Surveillance
Information Dissemination
- Variable Message Signs (VMS)
- Website
Network Management Centre
Located in Midrand, the Network Management Centre (NMC) forms the heart of the FMS, with all the management software and hardware residing in the NMC. The following has been included in refurbished facilities at the centre:
- A control room with a video wall;
- Operator facilities for up to nine operators;
- A conference room;
- Administrative and management offices;
- Kitchen and ablution facilities;
- An auditorium for briefings/presentations.
FUTURE
The focus towards the future is to expand the Freeway Management System to encompass most of the major freeways in Gauteng, including the N1, N3, N12, N17 and M2 Freeways. This will result in a total network coverage of approximately 250km.
The network will be covered by closed circuit television surveillance, traffic detection equipment and Electronic Vehicle Identification (EVI) technology, which is similar to the e-tags used at the Bakwena toll plaza.
These technologies will be used to improve the journey times and traveller information services along Gauteng’s freeways.
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