The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has begun testing a specialised lane guidance and sensory pedestrian crossing traffic signal system for the visually impaired.
The pilot project was launched at Regents Park just outside the Johannesburg Society for the Blind offices during Transport Month.
The newly-installed traffic signal system provides sound alerts, push buttons and LED lane lights at the intersection, that are able to ensure that visually impaired pedestrians crossing the road are well assisted by the new technology.
The traffic lights are designed with sound and touch push buttons which communicate reliable information to visually impaired pedestrians to enhance their safety whilst crossing the street. The audible push button gives a loud signal alerting the visually impaired when it is green for them to cross, and when it is no longer safe to enter the intersection.
Lane lights, built into the road surface, serve as an additional warning to motorists that the traffic light is red and that they need to stop. These lane lights for the pedestrian crossing are highly visible as brightness is automatically
adjusted to light intensity.
Johannesburg has a complementary road infrastructure network and the JRA is responsible for some 10 500km of tarred roads, 1,250km of gravel roads, 880 bridge structures and some 2 178 signalised traffic intersections.
“We are very proud of the launch of this pilot project which seeks to enable the safe mobility of visually impaired pedestrians,” says JRA MD Skhumbuzo Macozoma, “The JRA is mandated to provide quality roads that are accessible, safe and liveable for our communities, and through this test project, the visually impaired are able to cross the road safely and independently, thereby benefitting from the city’s road infrastructure”.