Transport Management Centre officially opened - Cape Town
Thursday, 27 May 2010 12:58
Cape Town Executive Mayor, Alderman Dan Plato, today officially opened the City’s R160 million state of the art Transport Management Centre (TMC), which is the first integrated public transport, traffic and safety and security management centre in South Africa, and also one of the first of its kind in the world.
The TMC, a 2010 FIFA World CupTM legacy project, will bring together services like Freeway Management, Urban Traffic Control, Transport Information Centre, Integrated Rapid Transit, Traffic Services and Metro Police to function side-by-side in one operational environment designed and built to meet and exceed world standards.
The TMC was jointly funded between the City and the National Government through 2010 World Cup grants.
The TMC, situated in Goodwood, will therefore facilitate the management of traffic incidents/emergencies and provide road users with up to date, reliable information that will enable them to select the best route.
Mayor Plato said: “Joint operations in this high tech, designed-for-purpose facility will result in improved incident and information management and will ensure effective and efficient traffic and public transport operations in the City of Cape Town.”
Cllr Elizabeth Thompson, Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Roads and Major Projects, said: “From today Cape Town can take it’s rightful place alongside the most developed nations in the field of mobility and traffic management.” She was further full of praise for the speedy completion of the project. “The construction of this building was fast tracked from the original approval by Council in May 2008 and was virtually completed by November 2009. This would not have been possible without the commitment of both internal and external stakeholders and the City would like to thank everyone who helped to have this project completed in time for the 2010 FIFA World Cup” she said.
The stakeholders include:
Project Team:
- ASTII Consortium
o Project and Construction Management – Aurecon (Pty) Ltd
o Architect – JLB Lombaard Daniels Ngalimane
o Quantity Surveyors – MLC Quantity Surveyors
o Structural Engineers – Aurecon (Pty) Ltd
o Electrical and Electronic Engineering – Techso (Pty) Ltd
o Traffic Engineering – ITS Engineering (Pty) Ltd
o User Requirements, Specifications – ITS Engineering & Techso
o Town Planning – Pierre Smit and Associates
- Construction
o Main Contractor – WBHO/PHC Joint Venture
o Site Preparation and Piling – Franki Africa
City of Cape Town:
- Project Manager – Francois Nell
- Supply Chain Management Bid Adjudication Committee
- Supply Chain Management Department
- IT Department
- Legal Services
- Transport, Roads and Major Projects Directorate
- Safety and Security Directorate
Functions of the TMC:
Freeway Management System
Severe traffic congestion has a negative effect on productivity, the running costs of vehicles, the environment and the amount of time people spend with their families. The City of Cape Town identified the need to efficiently deal with accidents and incidents that impact on traffic flow, which led to the implementation of the Freeway Management System.
This system uses 197 CCTV cameras to monitor the traffic flow and 48 Variable Message Signs to communicate with commuters. Variable Message Signs have been erected throughout the city, of which some use renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. The use of marine wind turbines and solar panels were found to be the most economically viable.
The activation of Variable Message Signs is governed by the following principles:
- Only display a message when the need arises
- Only display traffic- related information
- Only activate for events that impact on traffic flow
Priority is given to road incidents impacting on traffic flow, followed by re-active and pro-active event related messages.
Arterial Management System
The Arterial Management System comprises traffic signal controls with CCTV cameras. Traffic signals play a vital role in keeping traffic in the city moving smoothly. The TMC is also home to the Traffic Signal Fault Reporting and Management Section.
Integrated Incident Management
A key component of the TMC is the enhancement of the existing Incident Management System, which serves to facilitate faster emergency and incident response. This is achieved by improving the lines of communication and the speed and efficiency of notification between the incident location and the Incident Management System. The detection of incidents is done quickly and relevant role-players are notified immediately via an advanced, modern dispatching system.
Integrated Rapid Transport
The TMC will be the operational hub of the Integrated Rapid Transport (IRT) system with central processing, vehicle monitoring, computer-aided dispatch, vehicle scheduling, database and reporting, information management, digital video management, communication monitoring, and emergency and maintenance control.
The first MyCiTi buses of the IRT system will commence operation on Saturday 29 May 2010 with the Airport to CBD and Inner City Loop shuttles.
Transport Information Centre
The City of Cape Town’s Transport Information Centre (TIC) is a 24 hour, seven day a week service that provides residents and visitors with information on public transport in Cape Town. It focuses on routes, schedules, ticket prices, ticket outlets and locations of interchanges, ranks and park-and-ride facilities.
Calls can be made free of charge (from a land line or pay phone) to 0800 65 64 63.
The TIC also attends to all the feedback for Cape Metrorail, Golden Arrow Bus Services, Park-and-Ride facilities, Dial-a-Ride public transport and kerbside parking management.
In addition to this, it offers information on long distance bus, rail and taxi operators, the location of tourist information centres, heritage sites and popular attractions in and around Cape Town.
The TIC is staffed by means of a contract that is put out to tender every three years. The centre has a capacity of 42 staff, 60 incoming lines, language selection and voice and screen recording.
The service is currently available in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and all calls are recorded. During the 2010 FIFA World CupTM the TIC will also provide services in Arabic, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish.
A website (www.capetown.gov.za/transportinfo) has been developed where the public and prospective visitors can find the public transport options closest to their residence or accommodation.
Source: Communication Department, City of Cape Town
Media enquiries: Councillor Elizabeth Thompson, Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Roads & Major Projects – City of Cape Town, Tel: 021 400 1218 or Cell: 072 336 0497
Trevor Steyn, Spokesperson for Cllr Thompson – City of Cape Town, Tel: 021 400 1221 or Cell: 082 782 5358
