In an effort to improve road safety and reduce confusion between public transport and private vehicles, the City of Cape Town rolled out new traffic lights at key intersections in Table View in May 2022. These specialized signals were designed to address issues that led to frequent accidents in the area, particularly those involving MyCiTi buses.
Unique Traffic Lights Design for Safer Roads
Unlike traditional traffic lights, which use red, amber, and green, the new signals display only white to indicate when MyCiTi buses have the right of way. This unique design follows international best practices and aims to prevent misinterpretation by private vehicle drivers. Previously, the bus signals were often mistaken for general traffic signals, causing private vehicles to make incorrect manoeuvres, which resulted in collisions.
Successful Implementation and Expansion Plans
By March 2024, the City of Cape Town hailed the project as a success and announced plans to incorporate the innovative traffic lights into the South African Road Traffic Signs Manual. This move would allow other cities in South Africa to adopt similar systems for their public transport networks.
Positive Impact on Road Safety
A study conducted after the launch revealed a marked improvement in road safety. Video recordings of traffic at the test sites showed fewer instances of dangerous interactions between private vehicles and buses. In fact, the percentage of private cars making risky manoeuvres decreased from 25% at regular intersections to 19% at the pilot locations.
Feedback from Drivers and Pedestrians
Pedestrian surveys also revealed that most residents and non-residents found the new signals easy to understand. Bus drivers, in particular, preferred the updated system. However, assessing pedestrian safety was more complex, as many pedestrians tend to cross roads when traffic is lighter, rather than relying solely on the signals.
Future Expansion and Nationwide Potential
Following these promising results, the City plans to expand the use of the signals across other MyCiTi routes and new bus lanes as they are constructed. Although the City of Cape Town has yet to see significant interest from other metros in adopting this system, it continues to lead the way in innovation. With the National Minister of Transport’s approval to expand the pilot program, Cape Town is set to roll out the system on additional routes in the near future.
This groundbreaking initiative serves as a model for other South African cities, potentially setting the stage for nationwide improvements in traffic management.
Related article: #PotholeFixGP App: Report Faulty Traffic Lights