Findings

Item 1: Pedestrians

Problem: High volume of pedestrians & Lack of pedestrian facilities.

There is a very high number of pedestrian movement between Shaka’s Rock and Umhlali. From the Road Safety Assessment Report that was prepared by the Transportation Engineering Sub- Directorate there are approximately 1650 pedestrians that were counted walking along P339 in both directions daily. It is evident that there is an increased likelihood of pedestrian jaywalking as the public transport also drops off pedestrians on non-delineated drop off points along P339. This could result in a pedestrian being run over by a motor vehicle considering the posted speed of 80km/hr.

Implication: Pedestrian / Vehicular Collision

Risk Frequency – Frequent Severity – Serious Risk – High

Recommendation:

It is recommended that formalised footpaths be provided and pedestrian movements be controlled by providing safe formalised pedestrian crossing points within the interchange, with barriers to deter pedestrians from jaywalking.

Item 2: Turning Movements

Problem: Vehicle turning movement has been identified as one of the factors that are problematic at this interchange. During the site visit, it was observed that the northbound off-ramp turning movements are the mostly affected. This is due to public transport stopping for loading and offloading purposes. They tend to obstruct the sight lines of a motorist driving on this ramp wanting to turn east of the interchange towards the Simbithi Eco Estate & Shaka’s Rock.

Implications: Motorist tend to drive over the stop line without seeing beyond the parked/ ranking public transport. This manoeuvre then becomes a risk which would result in a collision.

Risk Frequency – Probable Severity – Serious Risk – High

Recommendation: Reducing the risk of collision can be achieved by introducing taxi bays on all the ramps, at locations that do not obstruct the drivers sight lines. In addition, it is recommended that traffic signals be installed to facilitate the safe pedestrians and vehicular movements through the interchange.

Item 3: Public Transport Facility

Problem: No Public Transport facilities

With high pedestrian movement during the morning and afternoon peak hours, an informal pick-up and drop-off point has been created at the P339 over the railway line.

Implications: Vehicular Collisions and Vehicular / Pedestrian Collisions

The noticeable implication is during the peak hour, sight distance for vehicles turning right (eastern direction towards Simbiti) is obstructed.

Risk Frequency – Probable Severity – Serious Risk – High

Recommendation: It is recommended that taxi bays should be considered at safe positions to allow for safe pick up and drop off of passengers.

Item 4: Excessive Speed

Problem: Vehicles travelling at high speeds along P339

The N2 off Ramp is sign posted 80km/hr speed limit and the P339 is does not have a speed restriction at the bridge on both directions.

Implications: Vehicular & Vehicular / Pedestrian Collisions

Although there is an 80km/hr speed limit posted on the N2 offer-ramp, it was noticeable that the operational speed was much higher than posted limit.

The P339 only shows speed restriction further away from the bridge which causes confusion to motorist regarding the operational speed along the roadway.

Risk Frequency – Probable Severity – Serious Risk – High

Recommendation:

N2 off-ramp - It is recommended that the speed limit of 60 km/hr on the ramp should be implemented 200m before the stop line. In addition, the installation of rumble strips on the ramp 100m before the stop line an enhancement to traffic calming measures.

P339 – It is recommended that a 60km/hr speed limit be implemented in both directions. These signs should be located at points where it will be clearly visible for motorist

Item 5: Rail bridge Parapet

Problem: Guardrail/ Protection on the Bridge

This is the location where the mini-bus taxi collided with the guardrail and landed on the railway line beneath. Although it is determined that it was a catastrophic event, the likelihood of the very same collision occurring at the same location is considered marginal. However, safety measures should be implemented to prevent such a collision from occurring.

Implications: Vehicular collisions

The noticeable implication should an accident take place, would be a vehicle going over the bridge and landing on the rail way line.

Risk Frequency – Occasional Severity – Catastrophic Risk – High

Recommendation:

It is recommended that the existing parapet wall be extended on the northern side, towards the ramp to cover the impact point should a similar collision occur. The impact loading of this extension should be able to withstand the impact load of at least H4b containment level.

Item 6: Informal Accesses

Problem: Sightlines to accesses

For the approaching driver, the road curvature is large which could lead to higher operational speed. This increase in operational speed increases the braking distance required. The likely result is that the approaching driver fails to yield for vehicles slowing down to enter the access or just exiting the access, causing the approaching drivers to brake excessively, increasing the risk of coming to a standstill or colliding with vehicles.

Implications: Rear end or side on vehicular collisions

Risk Frequency – Probable Severity – Serious Risk – High

Recommendation:

It is recommended that signage be introduced to indicate that there is an access ahead, speed reduction signs and possibly traffic calming measures. The traffic calming measures may include the use of speed humps at regular intervals with the required road marking and accompanying signage.

Item 7: Overgrown Vegetation

Problem: Overgrown vegetation was identified along the whole length of the cross road. Driving from the Simbithi Eco Estate towards the interchange, visibility on some road signs has been impaired. The sight distance for the Shaka’s Industrial Park access is reduced for vehicles turning west towards the R102 due to an obstructing tree.

Approximately 250m before the R102 intersection, west of the interchange, an overhead electrical cable crossing the main road was seen to have reduced in height clearance as a result of a growing tree branch.

Side drains no longer function on full capacity due to overgrown vegetation.

Implications: The overgrown vegetation has resulted in sight distance impairment and the risk at the Shaka’s Industrial Park access may result in a collision.

Risk Frequency – Occasional Severity – Serious

Risk – Medium

Recommendation: The risk can be reduced by carrying out routine maintenance along the sections identified. This will reinstate the desired sight distances, advance sign visibility as well as proper functionality of the road side drainage.

Summary of Findings Table 5-1: Level of Risk

As can be seen from the above findings, there are a number of items which require intervention.