Transferrable capacity development lessons in support of municipal transport service delivery: case study of bojanala platinum district municipality

Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, in the North West Province is endowed with the extractive economy characterised with the mobile community, labour influx, unemployment and underdeveloped road infrastructure. The District facilitates service delivery through among others, the Integrated Public Transport Network and the District Integrated Transport Plan. The problems of inadequate budget impact on the performance, acquisition and retention of skilled employees for strategic and operational transport policies and infrastructure development. The purpose of this study was to examine challenges related to the use of capacity development of structures and policies in relation to service delivery, and explore how to overcome them in the improvement of rural transportation. The study examines structures and policies at the intersection of the theoretical perspectives of skills development, performance improvement and collaborative participation. The research approach is a qualitative naturalistic enquiry and also employs questionnaires for confirmatory purpose and documentary analysis. The study concludes that there is lack of administrative-political synergy, inadequate socio-economic resilience, and limited dissemination of knowledge. Against these conclusions the study recommends formation of responsive and efficient structures, creation and implementation of knowledge sharing strategies, and introduction of a transformative policy instrument to empower senior management.Papers presented at the 40th International Southern African Transport Conference on 04 -08 July 202

The integration of smart mobility systems on the revised taxi recapitalisation program as a strategy to modernise the taxi industry

Papers presented virtually at the 41st International Southern African Transport Conference on 10-13 July 2060This research was about establishing the extent to which digital technologies have impacted the institutional arrangements, efficiency of operational procedures, and coverage of the Revised Taxi Recapitalisation Program. However, the approach in executing this study consisted of two aspects, the first one entailed conducting field investigations to determine the geographical locations of taxi rank facilities within the study area and the categories of minibus taxis thereof, whilst establishing the type of technology systems used to manage the infrastructure and fleet within this sector. The second aspect was to assess the methods used to apply for the taxi scrapping subsidy and reviewing the government’s annual performance reports regarding the Revised Taxi Recapitalisation Program. Based on data obtained from these two approaches and using The Open Group Architecture Framework, a Taxi-Vehicle Monitoring System conceptual framework was developed. This system is anticipated to serve as a basis for incorporating and integrating smart mobility systems within the taxi industry to keep this sector competitive in the rapidly evolving digital transformation era. In addition, it is further envisaged that this system will enable the taxi industry to migrate from the current traditional methods to technologybased platforms that are integrated and efficient, thereby expediting the taxi scrapping program whilst expanding its scope to cater for all categories of taxis that transport commuters and to unlock additional government subsidies that can be introduced as a strategy to attract and enhance public-private partnerships

Prospects for Using Correspondence Analysis to Characterise Travel Demand for Authorities with Limited Transport Modelling Resources

The estimation of travel demand for complex passenger transport infrastructure projects such as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, is fraught with multiple challenges that include the reliability of demand forecasts. The choice of variables used to estimate the demand is often informed by historical perspectives and not a genuine understanding of the said variables. The paper explores the use of Correspondence Analysis (CA) as an alternative method to facilitate the understanding the relationship between demand and supply side variables prior to the application of more intense mode choice modelling techniques. The raw data from the 2014 Gauteng household travel survey was used to develop the required models in areas where BRT services were operational in order to characterise the BRT users, followed by probability estimation of the actual demand. It is shown that CA can be reliably used as a resource efficient alternative for the initial characterisation of travel demand where household travel survey data exist. This is especially useful for planning authorities that do not have large transport planning budgets and human resources to acquire and employ extensive land use-transport interaction models.Papers presented at the 38th International Southern African Transport Conference on "Disruptive transport technologies - is South and Southern Africa ready?" held at CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa on 8th to 11th July 2019

"Looking back, looking forward" : urban development and transport infrastructure in Gauteng Province

Studies have shown that land-use and transportation systems have a two-way dependency. On one hand, the existing land-use structures influence trip distances and transport mode choice, while on the other hand transport infrastructure and systems have the potential to alter existing urban spatial structures. This paper qualitatively and quantitatively assesses one direction of this reciprocal relationship: the influences of transport infrastructure on urban development and mobility. It evaluates how past land-use (urban) development patterns in the Gauteng Province of South Africa may have been influenced by road and rail transport networks, including train stations. Following a time series analysis of Landsat satellite derived land-use change at three decadal intervals (1991, 2001 and 2009), spatial analysis of corridor (ribbon/linear) development was assessed using a series of urban growth maps in conjunction with transport infrastructure. Effects of transport infrastructure on land use development were assessed by analysing urban growth densities within buffer zones of major roads and railway stations, at 0.5 km intervals. Results show that despite suburban sprawl, transport infrastructure has enhanced corridor development in some areas of Gauteng Province over the last two decades, especially between 2001 and 2009.Paper presented at the 34th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 6-9 July 2015 "Working Together to Deliver - Sakha Sonke", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.The Minister of Transport, South AfricaTransportation Research Board of the US

A total social cost approach to public transport planning in South Africa

Papers presented virtually at the 41st International Southern African Transport Conference on 10-13 July 2071Apart from direct costs in the provision of transport, other indirect costs are generated amongst others through accidents, emissions, and congestion. However, in most instances, these costs are not borne by users of the transport system (at least not directly). Appraising transport interventions solely based on operator and user costs is not sufficient. In this paper, the effectiveness of the Total Social Cost (TSC) approach to guide the provision of transport infrastructure and services was implemented and evaluated against the conventional modal hierarchy approach using the Atteridgeville-Pretoria CBD corridor as a case study. The TSC approach can account for both direct and indirect costs in transport provision and appraisal. The study's findings show that the TSC approach for the analysed corridor is important in unpacking the trade-offs required for determining the most (cost) effective mode of transport necessary to service demand along a corridor. This is then contrasted with the TSC approach results with those of the modal hierarchy approach and show the impact of not explicitly detailing the trade-offs between the operator, user, and external costs. This lack of detail might result in prioritising the wrong investments in transport in the long term, as such resulting in unsustainable cities

Utilizing transport to revitalize rural towns : the case of Mthatha

Paper presented at the 33rd Annual Southern African Transport Conference 7-10 July 2014 "Leading Transport into the Future", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.Mthatha, located in King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality (KSD) is a rapidly growing rural town. Its sphere of influence is geographically much wider than the administrative boundaries of KSD. Mthatha is thus a regional rural town servicing a hinterland characterised by significant structural problems that tend to impede rural communities from fully accessing services, resources, markets and information. In order for the regional rural development agenda to take root, the paper argues that KSD needs to carve out a pragmatic and proactive leading role for Mthatha in support of shared growth for KSD and the region. It further contends that KSD needs to nurture and accentuate the role of Mthatha as a regional centre offering not only higher order services, but also significant employment opportunities to a potential growth region underpinned by appropriate investment packages. Transportation necessarily plays a decisive role in this vanguard role for town. However, from a transportation perspective, the paper observes that poor planning for this growth has led to failure symptoms such as severe road traffic congestion, conflicting vehicle-pedestrian movements, increased number of uncoordinated small-scale freight vehicles and severe parking shortages. Productivity in Mthatha is thus negatively impacted by this ever-present congestion, exacerbated by road infrastructure conditions (it has been determined that 90% of Mthatha’s surfaced road network has deteriorated beyond pothole repair requirements especially in the central business district [CBD]). Thus circulation (and by extension doing business) within the CBD is decidedly cumbersome, while movement through town is interminable – generating a relatively significant carbon footprint for a town of its size. Using primary data collected in KSD between 2011 and 2012, this paper enumerates and assesses the transportation challenges impeding productivity in Mthatha with a view to determining the gaps in the current approach in terms of type and intensity of intervention options as a departure point for crafting a much more robust implementation framework. This framework will be underpinned by a transport model for the Mthatha (CBD). With a few modifications, the proposed model could be customized for other small towns in South Africa.This paper was transferred from the original CD ROM created for this conference. The material was published using Adobe Acrobat 10.1.0 Technology. The original CD ROM was produced by CE Projects cc. Postal Address: PO Box 560 Irene 0062 South Africa. Tel.: +27 12 667 2074 Fax: +27 12 667 2766 E-mail: [email protected]

Guidelines for the provision of bypass roads at and through-ways in cities and towns

Papers presented virtually at the 41st International Southern African Transport Conference on 10-13 July 2023.Roads provide linkages between cities and towns, neighbouring countries, and to other points of interest. Up until the mid-20th century, roads forming part of the national network in South Africa generally passed through cities and towns. As these areas grew and traffic volumes increased, it became clear that bypasses would be necessary. In 1960 the National Transport Commission adopted its freeway policy which included the concept of bypass roads. Despite the adoption of the concept of bypass roads, the provision of these roads remained a controversial issue. The perceived benefits to the city or town of through traffic are weighed up against the benefit of a bypass to long-distance traffic in terms of travel time and cost, and road safety considerations. The aim of the paper is to provide guidelines for the planning and management of bypass roads and through-ways, as well as for the economic impact analysis of these roads. The paper refers to Christaller’s Central Places Theory which explains the spatial distribution of a system of cities and towns, as well as the road network linking these centres with one another. The assessment of the need for a bypass road is then addressed. Guidelines are provided on aspects such as land use development, road network planning, and route determination principles. An economic analysis framework, addressing both social cost-benefit analysis and economic impact analysis methodologies, is presented. Finally certain conclusions are reached. The paper is based on a research project, Project P2.5 of 2018: “Provision of bypass roads and through-ways in settlements, towns and cities”, conducted as part of the SANRAL Research Programme

Empowerment of women in the transport sector value chain : lessons for policy and practice

Based primarily on a focus group made up of representative voices of women in the transport sector value chain, the paper records progress and challenges in the sector to maximise the participation of women in the value chain, particularly in business. The findings are especially relevant for the implementation of preferential procurement policy and regulations. It is found that while much progress has been made in the procurement legislation, the participation of women in the transport sector value chain is far from mature. Reasons for this include diluted commitment by institution in both the public and private sectors, especially the private sector, to empowerment ideals. Furthermore, progress is not systematically measured and reported and therefore corrective measures are not readily identifiable. The absence of a critical mass of success stories also dampens traction. A comprehensive transport sector value chain mapping is seen as critical to help identify and unlock opportunities. Organisational skills of non-governmental organisations representing women also require strengthening in order for these organisations to prepare and mobilise the transport sector for much needed change.Papers Presented at the 2018 37th Southern African Transport Conference 9-12 July 2018 Pretoria, South Africa. Theme "Towards a desired transport future: safe, sufficient and affordable"

Implications of chronic disease patient travel to healthcare facilities on the design of national health insurance in South Africa a preliminary review

The South African Human Rights Commission acknowledges that access to healthcare services in South Africa, especially for the poor, is severely constrained by expensive, inadequate or non-existent transport services. This is exacerbated in cases of patients with chronic diseases who require regular travel to healthcare facilities. Therefore, any interventionist programme to improve access to healthcare facilities that does not incorporate transport access requirements reduces the efficacy of such a programme. The paper forms part of a research project aimed at identifying public transport design requirements to support patients with chronic diseases. This paper in particular qualitatively benchmarks the proposed South African National Health Insurance against other similar insurance schemes elsewhere in the world through isolating how the different schemes cover non-emergency patient transport requirements. The paper finds that South Africa’s National Health Insurance is among the many schemes that disregard patient travel requirements. However, subject to further empirical research, the paper identifies options for consideration that could be incorporated in the NHI for chronic patient travel requirements.Papers presented at the 36th Southern African Transport Conference, CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa on 10-13 July 2017.Transportation research board of the national academie