Switched on
The robots at the fatal eSikhaleni intersection on the John Ross Parkway are operational
AT an additional cost to the project of almost R2-million, the ‘theft proof’ robots at the eSikhaleni intersection on the John Ross Parkway were switched on at 11am on Monday.
This will hopefully bring some sanity back to the intersection, where fatalities have occurred due to drivers shooting through the four-way stop, sometimes without even slowing down.
Although satisfied that the traffic signals are now in operation, road engineers bemoaned the fact that they had to go to extravagant lengths to secure the intersection.
Cables have had to be run through metal ducts and covered in concrete, to prevent cable thieves from gaining access.
‘In one instance the cost of repair ran into thousands after a robot control box was stripped for just 10cm of copper cable,’ said City Senior Technical Assistant, Andrew Payton.
The control box at the intersection is now housed inside electrified steel palisade fencing, a practice widely used by Eskom, Vodacom and others who suffer similar losses.
Anyone trying to force their way over or through the fence will receive a shock that will immobilise them for an hour.
Some cable trenches still need to be filled with concrete and until that is completed a permanent security guard will be stationed at the junction.
On a humorous note: scores of drivers arriving at the newly signalised intersection still went through the red lights, while others stopped at the green – something that may give road planners food for thought in future.
View a video of the traffic light switch on here https://youtu.be/VYH-ElxCmfw
7 OCTOBER
Traffic lights up and working
THERE was plenty of activity at the eSikhaleni intersection on the John Ross Parkway this morning as technicians completed the installation of traffic signals.
At exactly 11am the robots began operating and the stop signs were removed – hopefully restoring an element of safety to this fatal intersection.
we people tend to complain as all the time, as the result we forget to give credit when is due.I would like to thank our municipality for resolving this issue of robots.however we shouldn’t shy away to the wrong doers who stole the cards that were operating these robots, it is of a great shame that when ever we take one step forward these thugs force us to take two steps backwards.
“On a humorous note: scores of drivers arriving at the newly signalised intersection still went through the red lights, ”
I don’t think this is humorous. It is just another sad example of the anarchy on our roads leading to death and destruction! How about some metro police doing duty with the security guard with zero tolerance policing?