26th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 2007

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Influence and mechanism of ultraviolet aging on Bitumem performance
(SATC, 2007-07) Tan, Yi-Qiu; Wang, Jia-Ni; Feng, Zhong-Liang; Zhou, Xing-Ye
Paper presented at the 26th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 9 - 12 July 2007 "The challenges of implementing policy?", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa. ABSTRACT: Ultraviolet (UV) and thermal aging are two quite different types of aging. This study experimentally compares UV aging with thermal aging of several bituminous binders. Bitumen was evaluated with respect to its changes in physical and rheological properties. The results show that bitumen has different sensitivities to UV and thermal radiation. Penetration values, softening point and ductility of UV-aged bitumen are not the same as those in thermally aged bitumen. Rheological indices also reveal that UV aging and thermal aging have different influences on bitumen. The low-temperature property degraded remarkably due to UV aging. This paper also explains the mechanism of aging behaviour using infrared spectroscopy and chemical component investigation, and points out that aromatics and resins are the crucial chemical components for the anti-UV aging ability of bitumen.
Use of external CFRP prestressing in Hewei bridge in China
(SATC, 2007-07) Huang, Jian; Xia, Wengjun; Zhang, Yigui; Zhang, Rui; Peng, Wang; Ding, Hanshan
Paper presented at the 26th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 9 - 12 July 2007 "The challenges of implementing policy?", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa. ABSTRACT:CFRP (Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer) is a kind of plastic which has characteristics of high strength, light weight, low relaxation and non-corrosion, and its applications in bridge engineering have been increasing recently. In this paper, the use of CFRP as the external prestressing tendons on Hewei Bridge in Jiangsu Province, China, is described.
Public Transport Service Modal choice, affordablity and perceptions in an unpalatable economic environment: the case of an Urban Corridor in Harare (Zimbabwe)
(SATC, 2007-07) Nyarirangwe, M.; Mbara, T.C.
Paper presented at the 26th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 9 - 12 July 2007 "The challenges of implementing policy?", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa. ABSTRACT:Public transport plays an important role in fulfilling the travel needs of people in cities of the developing world. For most cities, notwithstanding the availability of different modes, which include conventional buses, midi and minibuses and paratransit systems, the public transport system is increasingly becoming inadequate, inefficient, unreliable and unaffordable. The choice on the public transport mode to use is therefore depended on both quality and affordability. With increases in public transport fares, the spectrum of choice has expanded to include non-motorized means of transport such as cycling and walking. The paper examines modal choice, affordability and perceptions of commuters in a low-income high-density residential corridor in Harare (Zimbabwe) within the context of a difficult macro-economic environment. Residents are spending more than half of their earnings on public transport and responding to the situation by devising coping strategies.
Limpopo pave strategy: a new approach to provincial traffic resource management in South Africa
(SATC, 2007-07) Matsila, T.A.; Ribbens, H.
Paper presented at the 26th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 9 - 12 July 2007 "The challenges of implementing policy?", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa. ABSTRACT: The Limpopo Department Roads and Transport embarked upon a new approach to manage road traffic management in the province. The PAVE strategy (Professionalism, Awareness, Visibility, Education) was conceptualised with the objective to enhance the current traffic management strategies, especially which regard to the traffic law enforcement function in line with the key outcomes, performance targets, KRAs and KPIs as contained in the Department of Roads and Transport Management Plan 2005/6 – 2009/10, as well as the Service Standards for core functions as prescribed by the Department of Roads and Transport. The brief of this study was to identify the resources that are required to transform the PAVE strategy into a fully operational strategy. A holistic approach was followed to gain as much information as possible on the issues and processes that could impact on the transformation of the PAVE principles into an operational strategy and work plan for traffic law enforcement, traffic management and administration (road safety, vehicle testing and licensing, driver testing and licensing). The main focus areas were: •An audit on the status quo of the resources (human and equipment) of the various traffic management facilities in Limpopo Province, such as provincial and municipal traffic stations, vehicle registration and testing stations, and learner driver testing centres and road safety offices. .Other factors that would impact on the implementation of the PAVE strategy. This included the expansion of the paved road network in the Province, the increase in vehicular traffic, trends in population growth, population by district, the number of schools and learners in the province, and so on. The results of the study were used to develop selected resource indicators for the PAVE Strategy. These indicators are based on traffic function-related data compared with provincial demographic data in terms of kilometres of roads, expansion of the road network, registered vehicles and population. By considering these indicators, the effective implementation of the PAVE strategy and the setting of appropriate service levels for traffic management services will be enhanced.
An Evaluation of the benefits of intelligent speed adaptation
(SATC, 2007-07) Beukes, Edward; VanderSchuren, M.J.W.A. (Marianne)
Paper presented at the 26th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 9 - 12 July 2007 "The challenges of implementing policy?", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa. ABSTRACT:Road accidents claim between 13,000 and 14,000 lives annually in South Africa. The estimated costs due to Road safety problems is currently R38 billion. Speeding is one of the major contributors to the substantial number of road accident fatalities and injuries. In Europe, the potential contribution of technology to the reduction of speed related fatalities and injuries have been researched over the past decade. Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA) is one of the systems investigated. The potential benefits of ISA for the South African situation was quantified and costed by calculating the costs associated with speeding in terms of road accidents, vehicle operating costs, environmental costs, infrastructural and enforcement costs. The maximum savings that can be achieved by implementing ISA in South Africa was calculated as being between R18.7 billion and R51.2 billion annually. For both the minimum and maximum cost scenarios the additional vehicle operating costs as a result of speeding and the cost of road accidents are the greatest contributors to the total potential savings ISA could offer.
Influence of polyester fibre on the performance of Asphalt mixes
(SATC, 2007-07) Zhu, Haoran; Yang, Jun; Cong, Ling; Cui, Juan; Wan, Jun
Paper presented at the 26th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 9 - 12 July 2007 "The challenges of implementing policy?", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa. ABSTRACT:In order to determine the influence of polyester fibre on the performance of asphalt mixes, two types of polyester fibre were selected. One is locally made and the other is imported. Using the wheel tracking test device, the Marshall test device and the material test system (MTS), the high-temperature stability, water stability, low-temperature crack resistance and fatigue resistance of asphalt mixes with the same gradation were studied by means of comparative tests, in which one mix had added polyester fibres and the other mix did not. The results showed that polyester fibres do improve the performance of the asphalt mix. Polyester fibres are able to improve the high-temperature stability, mainly due to their stabilising and multi-directional reinforcing function. They also absorb the bitumen and thicken the bitumen film adhering to the aggregate, which strengthens the resistance of the asphalt mix to environmental disruption and water damage. Polyester fibres remain flexible at low temperatures. By interlacing vertically and horizontally, the fibres increase the elasticity of the asphalt mix and prevent cracks from developing and propagating in the mix at low temperature. Therefore, polyester fibres can improve the low-temperature performance of asphalt mixes significantly. As a result of their three-dimensional random distribution, the polyester fibres are able to block the propagation of cracks, increase the elastic recoverability and delay the loss of material stability and the appearance of rupture, which improves the fatigue resistance of the asphalt mix. Because the polyester fibres could improve the field performance of asphalt mixes comprehensively, they will be of great benefit to the engineering field.
The road transport management system (RTMS): a selfregualtion initiative in heavy vehicle transport in South Africa
(SATC, 2007-07) Nordengen, P.A.; Pienaar, N.
Paper presented at the 26th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 9 - 12 July 2007 "The challenges of implementing policy?", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa. ABSTRACT:Heavy vehicle overloading and road safety continue to be major problems on South African roads despite efforts at more effective enforcement by the road and traffic authorities. Overloading causes premature road deterioration and, together with inadequate vehicle maintenance, driver fatigue and poor driver health, contributes significantly to South Africa’s poor road safety record. This paper describes the most recent developments of an initiative to introduce meaningful self-regulation in the heavy vehicle transport industry through a Road Transport Management System (RTMS) with the aim of contributing to the road authorities’ efforts to address the above problems. During 2003 a heavy vehicle accreditation scheme was developed and implemented in the forestry industry in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. Based on an Australian model, the scheme seeks to promote compliance with standards in the areas of load control and securement, vehicle maintenance and driver wellness. In line with the Department of Transport’s National Overload Control Strategy, its aim is to encourage heavy vehicle operators, consignees and consignors to take more responsibility for ensuring that their loads are transported legally. Although the pilot project was initiated in forestry, the project has been executed keeping the broader heavy vehicle transport industry in mind. The success of the project in forestry resulted in similar initiatives commencing in other industries including pulp, paper and board, bitumen, coal, sugar and aggregate and sand. A national steering committee was established to co-ordinate the various initiatives and a strategy document developed. As part of this strategy, Standards SA of the SABS was approached to develop national standards for transport operators, consignors and consignees using the documentation developed for the forestry industry as a starting point. This process has commenced with the constituting of STANSA TC181B: Road Transport Management Systems. Although this is essentially a private sector initiative, since the commencement of the project in forestry, there has been strong support and involvement from government, including the national Department of Transport, the SA National Roads Agency, various provincial road authorities and the Department of Trade and Industry.
AARTO : road users rights and obligations
(SATC, 2007-07) Botha, G.J. (Gerrie J.)
Paper presented at the 26th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 9 - 12 July 2007 "The challenges of implementing policy?", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa. ABSTRACT:The Administrative of Road Traffic Offences Act, No. 46 of 1998, (AARTO), which was approved by Parliament in 1998, will enter into force on 1 September 2007 in the magisterial district of Tshwane on a pilot basis for a period of 7 months. On 1 April 2008 the system will be rolled-out on a national basis. The objectives of AARTO are, amongst others : to encourage the payment of penalties imposed for infringements; to establish a procedure for the effective and expeditious adjudication of infringements; with the purpose to encourage compliance with the national and provincial laws and to alleviate the burden on the courts of trying offenders for infringements. AARTO further aims to penalise drivers and operators who are guilty of infringements or offences through the imposition of demerit points leading to the suspension and cancellation of driving licences, professional driving permits or operator cards. AARTO further imposes certain rights and obligations on drivers. These include : payment of fines within 32 days, which will result in a substantial discount; submit an application to make payments in installments; submit a representation for consideration; provision of the name, ID number and contact detail of the driver of the vehicle if the owners was not the driver at the time of the offence; or elect to follow the court procedure. Upon payment of a fine, demerit points applicable to the particular offence, would be allocated and recorded against the name of the Infringer. Should the alleged offender fail to carry out any of the available options within a period of 32 days, certain follow-up procedures would follow and more stringent measures put in place. If the case is not successfully resolved after a period of 64 days, more drastic steps would be taken, which could result in the attachment of property to pay the original penalty and defray costs. The purpose of this paper is to explain how the system will work and impact on road users; provide some of the standardised fines and demerit points for some critical offences; as well as to briefly provide certain rights and obligations in this regard.
Public Transport Network classification: a proposed outline for Tshwane
(SATC, 2007-07) Arnold, M.; Motuba, G.; Baloyi, Dennis; Pienaar, P.A. (Petrus)
Paper presented at the 26th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 9 - 12 July 2007 "The challenges of implementing policy?", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa. ABSTRACT:With the increase in vehicle sales and traffic volumes currently being experienced, increasing congestion and the difficulty to provide more road space within urban areas, there is renewed emphasis on the role of public transport to meet the mobility needs of people. To improve public transport public transport infrastructure must, inter alia, be provided to a level adequate to address the mobility and accessibility needs related to the service. The focus of this paper is on road based public transport infrastructure. There is limited guidance available on how road based public transport infrastructure should be provided within the urban context. The aim of this paper is to provide an outline for (a) the definition of a public transport network for the City of Tshwane, and (b), the classification of such a network into primary, secondary and tertiary public transport routes. The aim is further to provide a guiding framework for the provision of public transport infrastructure for the different public transport road classes. The benefit of the approach is that it will serve as a guideline in the provision.
Analysis of traffic features in vehicle access roads to large public buildings in the urban area
(SATC, 2007-07) Ning, Zhang; Zhendong, Qian; Xi, Zhuo; Kai, Chen
Paper presented at the 26th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 9 - 12 July 2007 "The challenges of implementing policy?", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa. ABSTRACT: Vehicle access roads to large public buildings in urban areas seem to be the link between the inner city traffic and the outer urban traffic, making them important nodes in the urban road network. An analysis of the traffic features of vehicle access roads would be of assistance in choosing logical traffic management measures for the connecting node between the building traffic and urban traffic. At the beginning of this analysis, the behaviour and attitudes of motorists are analysed, which are the basis of the traffic features. The traffic flow characteristics are then discussed in detail in terms of the following aspects: vehicle queuing model, car-following model and vehicle diversion model. Finally, the effect of pedestrians and cyclists is examined. Because of the stochastic properties of pedestrian and bicycle flow, any disturbance has a great impact on the state of traffic operations. It is therefore necessary to separate the flow of pedestrians and cyclists from the vehicle flow.
The infuence of temperature on the performance of waterproofing materials applied to orthotropic steel bridge deck pavement
(SATC, 2007-07) Yehua, Fan; Jingmin, Wang; Xiongfei, Chen; Zhendong, Qian
Paper presented at the 26th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 9 - 12 July 2007 "The challenges of implementing policy?", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa. ABSTRACT: This paper is aimed at the service performance of waterproofing materials used in orthotropic steel bridge deck pavement, and studies the influence of temperature on the performance of waterproof and adhesive layers, which consisted of Bostik 9225 type adhesive primer, and rubber modified mastic. The different technical indices of the waterproofing system are discussed, such as cohesive strength, interface adhesive strength and shear strength. The relationships between the different indices and temperatures were investigated. By applying the finite element method and the material parameters obtained from experiments, the shear behaviour of the materials was modelled numerically. When comparing the results of the laboratory tests and the FEM model, the error possibility, especially under high temperature, was found to be comparatively small, which means that the effectiveness of prediction seems satisfactory and the simulation and prediction of the shear strength by FEM are reasonable and effective. It is also meaningful to use the numerical method as a substitute for the field test from a cost point of view.
Primary research on a binder extraction method for Asphalt mix modified by using seamtm Asphalt mix modifier
(SATC, 2007-07) Wang, Jie; Wang, Wei; Cheng, Jianchuan; Gong, Yongfeng; Jiang, Dongfang; Zhou, Chaohui
Paper presented at the 26th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 9 - 12 July 2007 "The challenges of implementing policy?", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa. ABSTRACT: The existing bitumen extraction methods, including solvent extraction, the ignition method, the nuclear asphalt content device and biological resolving were analysed and examined for their applicability in determining the asphalt and SEAM contents of asphalt mixtures modified with sulphur-extended asphalt modifier. In SEAM-modified mixtures, sulphur separates out scatters in the mixture and dissolves in asphalt at a temperature lower than 115 °C. Sulphur can dissolve in sodium hydroxide and react chemically with new materials. In this study, the NaOH solvent extraction method was chosen to determine the SEAM content. The conventional solvent extraction method was used to determine the total amount of asphalt and SEAM. Detailed procedures and the testing precision of the NaOH solvent extraction method are given. The test method proposed in this study can be used in highway construction to control the SEAM content.
Evaluation of rutting resistance of Asphalt Pavements by circular road tracking test
(SATC, 2007-07) Yang, Jun; Lu, Haizhu; Cui, Juan; Qian, Guochao; Pan, Weiyu; Yang, Yiwen
Paper presented at the 26th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 9 - 12 July 2007 "The challenges of implementing policy?", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa. ABSTRACT: Due to the frequent premature rutting failure in asphalt pavements in Jiangsu, a province in the east of China, a research programme using the circular road-tracking test was initiated. Different asphalt pavement structures were designed and tested to determine the critical factors in the occurrence of rutting, including different aggregate gradations, binder types and combinations of layers. Results show that the middle layer of the pavement plays an important role in rutting development, and an adequate aggregate gradation of the surface layer mix is essential to achieve the desirable rutting resistance. Moreover, asphalt with high viscosity helps to reduce rutting. The environmental influence on the occurrence of rutting is also discussed in the paper, and a pavement type with high rutting resistance, which is appropriate for Jiangsu’s climate, is recommended.
World Cup 2010 Traffic simulation long-term aging of polypropylene asphalt paving mixtures
(SATC, 2007-07) Al-Hadidy, Ai; Yi-Qiu, Tan
Paper presented at the 26th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 9 - 12 July 2007 "The challenges of implementing policy?", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa. ABSTRACT: This study investigated the influence of accelerated weathering (aging) on the engineering properties of modified asphalt mixtures with pyrolysis polypropylene (PP). The accelerated weathering was done at a temperature of 85 °C and over two periods of time, namely between two and four days. Marshall specimens were compacted with a mechanical compactor at a temperature of 135 to 142 °C. Five pyrolysis polypropylene mixtures, including the control, which had an optimum asphalt content, were investigated. The asphalt concrete was of a dense-graded aggregate type of surface course conforming to the gradation limits of ASTM highway commission specifications. The results showed that variations in age change the physical properties of modified mixtures.
The development and application of an incident management system for the Northern section of Ninglian expressway
(SATC, 2007-07) Yang, Shunxin; Huang, Wei; Wang, Wei
Paper presented at the 26th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 9 - 12 July 2007 "The challenges of implementing policy?", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa. ABSTRACT: The Nanjing-Lianyungang Expressway, which is referred to in this paper as the NingLian Expressway, was opened to traffic in 1999 and operated normally without an incident management system until March 2006. To improve the safety and emergency service of the northern section of the Expressway, an incident management system was developed and applied. Three major parts of the system, namely the demand analysis, system design, and system application, are described in this paper. For the demand analysis, the management method for the northern section of the NingLian Expressway, which can be regarded as representative of the management of most of the expressways in Jiangsu Province and even the whole country, was first investigated. Next, the detailed state of affairs and the relationships between the interrelated agencies involved in incident management were analysed and the resource distribution of each agency was determined. Finally, a demand analysis of an incident management system, that is most suitable for Chinese expressways, was completed. The principal functions of the system design are as follows: confirmation of the incident classification, real-time incident information display based on an integrated GIS map and automatic generation of an incident plan by the rules-based expert system, control of the incident management process, real-time incident information dissemination via mobile phone short message service and Internet sites and automatic generation of management report forms. The system has been formally in use since April 2006 at the management centre of the northern section of NingLian Expressway. According to the statistical analysis, by September 2006, the decision-making correctness rate of the expert system was above 85% and the mean rescue time was reduced by 30%.
Ui formulation for cable state of existing cable-stayed bridge
(SATC, 2007-07) Huang, Juan; Ronghui, Wang; Tao, Tang
Paper presented at the 26th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 9 - 12 July 2007 "The challenges of implementing policy?", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa. ABSTRACT: As inclined cables are primary load-bearing members of cable-stayed bridges, the accuracy of the method of analysing cable state is a key issue in keeping existing bridges safe. Typical cable characteristics are that they are susceptible to corrosion and tend to sag during their long service life, so it is essential to take these characteristics into account in the structural analysis to determine the actual behaviour of a cable in service. However, most of the recent methods of cable structure analysis are done on the material in a perfect state. The deterioration characteristics, such as cable corrosion and initial sag caused by the cable weight, are disregarded, which makes it difficult to apply the current methods when dealing with cable structures that are in service. By solving the boundary problem of inclined cable using the governing differential equation for the UL (Updated Lagrangian) formulation, this paper introduces a convergence iterative solution method for the analysis of cable structures of existing cable-stayed bridges. When using the iterative solution, it is convenient to determine the relationship between the co-ordinate difference of cable-end position, cable tension and cable weight. With the approach described in this paper, the effect of cable sag can be included without any approximations. Moreover, cable corrosion described by the method leads to good accuracy of results. The method meets the engineering requirements for the analysis of existing long-span cable structures. The results obtained from the method show that it is efficient and reliable. It can be conveniently applied in the analysis of large-displacement cable structures that are in service, which provides a new approach to structural health monitoring of long-span cable-stayed bridges.
Research on the performance of locally developed epoxy asphalt mixes
(SATC, 2007-07) Luo, Sang; Wang, Jianwei; Qian, Zhendong
Paper presented at the 26th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 9 - 12 July 2007 "The challenges of implementing policy?", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa. ABSTRACT: In China, epoxy asphalt concrete has been widely used for paving the decks of long-span steel bridges because of its excellent performance. As a patent material, most epoxy asphalt used in China has been imported from the USA. The Southeast University Paving Team in China has been studying and developing epoxy asphalt for five years. The details of various laboratory investigations to evaluate the performance of locally developed epoxy asphalt mixes are presented in this paper. In the laboratory tests, rutting, low temperature cracking and fatigue characteristic were evaluated by the wheel track test, the beam bending test and the complex beam fatigue test respectively. Locally developed epoxy asphalt mixes, stone matrix asphalt mix (SMA) and mastic asphalt mix (MA) were tested. Compared with SMA and MA, locally developed epoxy asphalt mixes performed better on resistance to fatigue and permanent deformation. They also performed significantly better on low-temperature properties and resistance to moisture damage. The test results show that locally developed epoxy asphalt mix is an excellent material for steel deck pavement and can offer great performance and economic advantages. It is an optional material for paving long-span steel bridges in China and has good prospects for this application.
Analysis of the scientific aspects related to minibus taxi collisions
(SATC, 2007-07) Govender, Radha; Allopi, D.R. (Dhiren)
Paper presented at the 26th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 9 - 12 July 2007 "The challenges of implementing policy?", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa. ABSTRACT: A study recently done by the Automobile Association of South Africa recorded an annual total of 70 000 minibus taxi crashes which indicates that taxis in SA amount for double the rate of crashes than all other passenger vehicles. Detailed accident data is not available for this category of vehicle, so there is insufficient evidence to support a clear cause for the number of fatalities in minibus taxi accidents. Any crash results from a combination of circumstances converging to a point where the driver does not have the skills or the options to avoid the crash. Systematic investigation is necessary to identify patterns of failure resulting in a crash. This could be associated with driver behaviour, road conditions or/and vehicle features. This paper is a follow up of the paper presented at SATC 2006 and will examine police records and case studies of minibus taxi accidents to scientifically identify any trends and factors causing these accidents. Crucial new evidence has emerged during this investigation.
World Cup 2010 traffic simulation
(SATC, 2007-07) Sher, Warren E.; Schay, Warren M.; Van Olst, Rex
Paper presented at the 26th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 9 - 12 July 2007 "The challenges of implementing policy?", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa. ABSTRACT:The purpose of the paper is to describe how the use of tools like Geospatial Information technology and a traffic simulator, can determine the most efficient way to transport ticket holders from their accommodation to the match venue. The major focus is to determine the optimum number of Park ‘n Ride facilities to provide for the spectators from the Northern Suburbs of Johannesburg. Success is defined by providing a service, which alleviates congestion on the roads but still ensures less than two hours of travel. The simulations were designed with the aid of a Geographic Information System (ArcGIS). It is preliminarily concluded that the existing City of Joburg plan is inadequate as it does not cater for the key regions of Sandton and Midrand. It is recommended that additional Park ‘n Ride facilities, namely Innesfree Park and Megawatt Park should be added and further investigation is required into the amalgamation of other underutilised facilities.
Transportation policy, planning and implementation case study
(SATC, 2007-07) Kamau, Daniel
Paper presented at the 26th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 9 - 12 July 2007 "The challenges of implementing policy?", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa. ABSTRACT:“…if high-density is high-calorie, then Jozi is a couch potato who shuns exercise yet can’t stop gorging on rapid-growth koeksisters.” (‘Gridlock’ – Sunday Times Lifestyle 22 April 2007) The above, perhaps humorous quotation, vividly captures the setting in Johannesburg, and in fact, in Gauteng province as a whole. As one of the continent’s fastest growing economies, development in Gauteng has far out-run the available road infrastructure. The traffic conditions in many parts of Gauteng are long past critical, and ironically, the very growth that has resulted in the voracious demand for road infrastructure is threatened by the conditions resulting from that demand. For example, it is estimated that over R 930-million every year is lost through wasted work hours of commuters held up in congestion on the Ben Schoeman highway between Johannesburg and Pretoria. (Engineering News). The intricacy of any transportation problem cannot be over-stated. As such, the issue of congestion is a complex one. Congestion, as experienced in Gauteng, is the result of many factors. Some technical factors such as poor infrastructure design may be held responsible for the congestion experienced in some places. If identified, these technical faults can be easily remedied, the only constraint being financial. The more complex factors responsible for congestion are socio-economic. These relate to economic development trends, societal perceptions and values, and transportation policies across all levels of government. The complexity of the issue is exacerbated by the fact that as there are different aspects contributing to the problem there are varying opinions on how best to deal with the problem. Before discussing a specific case study of the congestion problem in Johannesburg, it is necessary to describe the policy context in which the issue of road traffic congestion exists.

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