Traffic gridlock in Stellenbosch has become a common sight, largely owing to the town being an intense trip attractor due to the high number of trip destinations in the town, including Stellenbosch University, good schools, a bustling central business core and tourist appeal. All routes into Stellenbosch are severely congested during the morning, with reverse congestion conditions in the afternoon. Significant delay and adverse environmental impact result. These are some of the issues that the Stellenbosch Smart Mobility Laboratory (SSML) aims to address.
The SSML was established in the Faculty of Engineering in June 2014. It focuses on technology applications to transport problems (also known as Intelligent Transportation Systems or ITS in short) and provides a platform for the development of innovative and cost-effective transportation solutions for developing countries.
In order to address the traffic problems in Stellenbosch, as a point of departure, congestion in Stellenbosch needs to be quantified. It is recognised that Stellenbosch is well connected with surrounding areas, with five arterial routes extending from the town centre in a radial configuration. These radial routes then join to form a single north-south arterial road west of the town centre, Adam Tas Road. Collector roads, extending predominantly in an east-west direction into the town centre, connect to this arterial road. General traffic direction is towards the Stellenbosch town centre during the morning peak, and out of Stellenbosch to surrounding areas in the afternoon peak.
The SSML uses new and innovative techniques to quantify traffic congestion in Stellenbosch by studying speeds and travel times obtained from data obtained from moving vehicles on the arterial routes. During the morning peak hour, traffic on the outskirts of Stellenbosch especially along Strand Road (R44 South) and the R304 is highly affected by congestion, with speeds affected up to 6 km from town. During the afternoon peak hour, congestion on the outskirts of town is less intense than during the morning peak hour, however, roads within Stellenbosch town centre are more highly congested than in the morning, particularly on the stretch of Adam Tas Road between Bird Street and Strand Road, with an average speed of less than 10 km/h. Typical additional delay experienced on these arterials during peak periods, range between 20 and 26 minutes.
New ITS techniques, such as the use of data obtained from moving vehicles, assist traffic engineers to analyse and to understand traffic patterns in a cost-effective manner. This traffic data will assist the SSML to conduct future research into ITS solutions not only to the congestion experienced on roads in Stellenbosch, but also in ways to enhance traveller information made available to users of the local transportation system. This will greatly contribute towards the improvement of mobility in the "smart city" environment, with an emphasis on providing sustainable and cost-effective solutions aimed at developing countries.
Photo left: Gridlock in Stellenbosch during peak-hour.
Photo right: Megan Bruwer (lecturer on the right) demonstrates traffic signal phasing to postgraduate students in the SSML.
