Gauteng congestion strategy : heavy vehicle restrictions on freeways

Abstract

Paper presented at the 22nd Annual Southern African Transport Conference 14 - 16 July 2003 "National issues affecting the movement of people and goods - strategic approaches", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa. ABSTRACT: An efficient transportation system is a critical element for sustainable economic development. The present high level of congestion on large portions of the Gauteng road network is therefore a major cause for concern. It leads to a loss in productivity owing to longer travel times and increased fuel consumption, restricts regional accessibility and the exposure of workers to job opportunities. It also results in urban sprawl as business relocates away from congested areas. It further causes increases in air pollution and the general lowering of quality of life. The Gauteng Department of Public Transport, Roads and Works (“Gautrans”) are considering various measures to combat traffic congestion on roads in Gauteng. One of the proposed measures is the imposition of restrictions on heavy vehicles on freeways. These restrictions include the limiting of heavy vehicles to the .slow. lane and the total ban of such vehicles during peak periods from the freeway. A major experiment was undertaken on the impacts of the heavy vehicle restrictions on traffic congestion on the freeway system. At the time of the writing of the report, the first phase of the project was completed, namely the imposition of the "keep left" restriction. The aim of the paper is to present the findings of this phase of the study.