Some of Johannesburg’s traffic lights are always functional. Image: Lorne Philpot
Johannesburg: Why are some traffic lights never off?
When driving the Johannesburg roads one might wonder why certain traffic lights always function while all others seldom do. Here’s why.
Some of Johannesburg’s traffic lights are always functional. Image: Lorne Philpot
Non-functioning traffic lights have become the norm in many parts of Johannesburg – leading to increased frustration and danger for motorists.
Here’s why certain traffic lights in the city do not malfunction during load-shedding.
TRAFFIC LIGHTS OUT
This is due either to load-shedding or lack of repairs. It can be a huge frustration since it significantly delays travel times and increases danger.
Moreover, this also elevates the risk of having motor accidents on the roads.
JRA INITIATIVE
Last year Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) launched the Traffic Signal Backup Power Initiative (TSBPI) aiming to keep lights on at 35 intersections during load-shedding.
The initiative was launched in July 2023 as part of the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) Strategy 2027. JRA is responsible for 2,020 intersections across the city.
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INPUT FROM BUSINESS
The organisation joined forces with several major corporates, to try to mitigate the effects of load-shedding.
More than 40 businesses have joined the initiative to assist JRA and road users by sharing their backup power with nearby traffic lights during load-shedding.
Major banks, Momentum, Santam, Growthpoint, Sasol, Netcare and Vodacom are just some of the companies involved.
JOHANNESBURG LOCATIONS
Timeslive states that more than 100 intersections across Johannesburg now function during load-shedding.
Most of these are located in Sandton, Rosebank and Midrand, which are home to many big corporations that operate with backup power.
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SUCCESS FOR JRA
Acting head of the mobility and freight department, Sipho Nhlapo said that the initiative had been a great success, having achieved much in its early stages.
Nhlapo said that 120 intersections in parts of Johannesburg were already off the grid.
“When we went out to the market, we were very conservative with our intention. We thought by the end of the financial year we would have done about 35 intersections. However, to date, we’ve done 120 so it has moved beyond our plans. The response was far more than we expected,” Nhlapo told Timeslive.
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