EVALUATION OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND RE-ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS FOR CENTRAL AREAS OF SOUTH AFRICAN CITIES: A CASE STUDY OF KIMBERLEY CITY

Abstract

Traffic congestion in and around the central business districts (CBD) of South African cities is a major challenge. Apparently, it is engendering undesirable consequences that include impeding vehicular flow, causing vehicular and pedestrian conflicts, escalating travel time, and frequenting vehicular crashes. So, using a case study of Kimberley city in South Africa, this study assessed the causes and degree of traffic congestion on the roads in and around the CBD area; and examined the impact of plausible re-engineering measures to alleviate the challenge. Survey research methods were used to collect data. Land use and urban functions influencing urban movements, road, and traffic scenario data were collected through physical and traffic survey at different selected road sections and junctions of the CBD area by following appropriate survey protocols. Besides, road user perception and travel behaviour survey were conducted among 208 (N= 208) road users by using random sampling process at important nodes of the city. Relevant empirical models were used to assess the causes and level of traffic congestion, and to examine the impact of reengineering solutions on the current and forecasted traffic scenarios. Findings suggest an appreciable level of traffic congestion is experienced currently in some of the roads of the CBD area and the situation will be aggravated in future, specifically during the peak hours, whereas a number of roads are highly underutilised. Re-engineering solutions such as appropriate traffic assignment and modal split, i.e., traffic diversion ranging between 9.0% and 40.5% from different congested roads and restriction of plying of heavy vehicles on the congested roads during peak hours and assigning them to connected underutilised roads could ease traffic congestion, increase speed and reduce travel time and consequently enable optimal use of the majority of the roads in and around the CBD area of the city.