Department receives national award for ICT-led transport innovation

On 3 November, Deputy Minister for Public Service and Administration Chana Pilane-Majake gave the Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW) the Centre for Public Service Innovation (CPSI) “Innovative use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for Effective Service Delivery” award.

Through its Integrated Intelligence Hub (ITIH), DTPW is pioneering the use of smart technology as a force multiplier and as an evidence-based decision-making tool. The CPSI award represents independent recognition of the significant improvements that the ITIH is making to road safety and transport management in the Western Cape.

The Hub brings together data from the Transport Management Branch’s Traffic Management-, Traffic Law Enforcement, Transport Operations, and Provincial Regulatory Entity to support evidence-based decision making.

A total of 118 new traffic law enforcement vehicles are in the process of being equipped with in-vehicle ITIH technology. Every DTPW traffic officer on duty has a hand-held ITIH device that alerts him or her to possible infringements of the law linked to specific vehicles.

As traffic officers capture data about speeding, overloading and other offences, this data is added to the ITIH immediately, enabling DTPW to deploy its officer resources in the most effective way, in real time. The system is continually gathering intelligence and integrating a wide range of information that can be used to monitor patterns and trends, and quickly identify problems that require management intervention.

An example of a problem identified and addressed through ITIH evidence is the establishment of the Integrated Fatigue Management programme, to be launched during the festive season. ITIH data showed a high prevalence of crashes along the N1 near Prince Albert Road, and driver fatigue was identified as an important risk factor.

Because drivers had no safe space along the road to stop and stretch their legs, they were more likely to drive tired. A new well-lit, secure location has been made available on this part of the N1 to enable drivers to pull off and rest, before they tackle the long, dangerous stretch to Worcester through Touws River.

The ITIH will monitor programme results by scanning vehicle number plates and driver’s licences at intervals on their journeys, focusing on public transport and freight vehicles. This will generate specific data, including average speed, and time spent resting versus time spent behind the wheel.

By making more effective speed control, overloading control and fatigue management control possible, the ITIH is helping to make Western Cape roads safer for all residents and visitors to the province.