By Johnathan Paoli
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande has praised the critical role that science and innovation play in modernising the country’s transport infrastructure.
Nzimande delivered the keynote address at the launch of the Transport Safety Lab at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on Thursday.
The event, which coincides with Transport Month, discussed the future of transport safety in the country.
The minister emphasised the role technology played in furthering the long-term goals of the country.
“As government, all our efforts and interventions are guided by our National Development Plan, which as you know serves as our country’s long-term vision, outlining the work that needs to be done to achieve a prosperous and thriving South Africa by 2030,” Nzimande said.
The newly established lab features a stationary driving simulator, known as the Simulator Lab, and a state-of-the-art testing vehicle, the Drive Lab, which is equipped with sensors to gather real-time data on driver behaviour and road conditions.
Together, these tools will allow researchers to analyse various factors affecting road safety and develop evidence-based policies and products.
Nzimande said the Transport Safety Lab aimed to harness advanced research and technology to improve the safety of South African roads.
He outlined three key contributions the lab could make to the transport sector, namely: improving infrastructure safety with the goal of reducing fatalities and injuries; understanding human behaviour which will inform innovative safety measures tailored to the South African context; and advancing vehicle safety to support the development of safer vehicles for consumers.
Highlighting the intersection of transport safety with broader socio-economic issues, the minister acknowledged that access to reliable transport remained a challenge for many South Africans.
“Transport poverty and the legacy of apartheid spatial planning continue to hinder economic and educational access for our citizens,” he said.
Nzimande expressed hope that the lab would serve as a collaborative platform, fostering partnerships among stakeholders to improve the transport sector and ultimately enhance the quality of life for South Africans.
“Congratulations to the CSIR and all its partners on this groundbreaking initiative,” he said.
CSIR CEO Thulani Dlamini highlighted the lab’s potential for collaboration with industry stakeholders, including vehicle manufacturers and transport operators.
“By engaging early with industry leaders, we can co-develop innovative solutions that enhance road safety and infrastructure sustainability,” he said.
CSIR Smart Society Group executive, Sandile Malinga, emphasised the lab’s dual approach to data collection and analysis.
“By merging laboratory precision with practical, on-the-road experimentation, we can address the pressing issue of road safety more effectively,” he said.
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