​Lerato Mailoane
To launch, Transport month, Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy has called on delegates attending the 3-day Smart Mobility Summit in Midrand, to find smart solutions to address challenges that exist in the sector.
According to Creecy, central to implementing smart solutions is a need to upgrade and revitalise the country's transport sector, with commuter numbers severely impacted by the pandemic, and passenger and freight transport afflicted by vandalism, theft, and infrastructure issues.
"When we talk about smart solutions to these challenges, we are facing it means enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of our operations. But to solve our problems and address the priorities, we need to be aware of the context in which we are operating."
Creecy said in terms of transport, the national household travel survey,2020 paints a picture of a system that is not operating optimally, as well as the economic strain placed on South Africans.
"According to the survey, damage to infrastructure and unavailability of passenger rail services means that many households are spending a greater proportion of their income on more expensive forms of transport, which are often unreliable and unsafe. This, as well as unaffordability of other modes of transport, leads to 20 percent of our people walking to save money."
Minister Creecy said the aim was to rebuild the system, while ensuring it is better than it was before the pandemic and taking into consideration the trends of sustainability and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Creecy highlighted that the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) had already employed several smart infrastructure solutions to recoup pre-pandemic commuter levels.
Revitalising and upgrading our already-existing freight and passenger rail infrastructure will enhance road safety, curb congestion, and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. Rail transport is safer, cheaper, and more efficient than many other modes of transport, and PRASA has employed a few smart solutions to secure their infrastructure with a goal of returning to their pre-pandemic level of 600 million annual passengers.
"Thirty-one (31) of PRASA's 40 priority lines have re-entered into service after a period of theft and vandalism, with re-signalling of these lines an ongoing project. The re-signalling of these lines is a critical undertaking as it ensures the location the availability and reliability of train services.
Additionally, she said technology solutions implemented by PRASA had considerably reduced the levels of theft and vandalism.
Minister Creecy also said a working group had been established between PRASA and the Gautrain to separate and ensure that there is integration and interoperability between the two rail systems and to enable seamless transport between the two for commuters in the future.
She further pointed out that State-owned Transnet Freight Rail had yet to reach pre-Covid freight volumes, which was considerably impacting on the transport of minerals, as well as revenues.
She said the entity had also embraced smart solutions as part of its improvement efforts.
Earlier this year, Transnet relaunched the Integrated Port Management System (IPMS) at its eight commercial ports as part of its digital transformation strategy that is aimed at creating a smart port system by 2028.
IPMS offers vessel management technology and is globally recognised as a system that facilitates efficient vessel monitoring through the automation of traditionally managed operations.
"We need to take advantage of the new technologies and processes available to us to maximise precious opportunities for economic growth and adequately meet government's priorities.
"The use of technologies can greatly assist us in ensuring that any economic growth in our economy is enjoyed by all its citizens. We need to be proactive instead of reactive if we are to use 21st century solutions, said Creecy.