WHY can’t motorists use the elaborate new underpass on Josiah Gumede? Surely it is not proposed to reserve this exclusively for a few GO!Durban busses (if and when the scheme eventually starts)?
The general public and taxis have been deprived of the efficient route they used to have. Can they not now share the benefits of this expensive tunnel?
The new traffic lights with their filter-arrows effectively separate traffic flows, but at the cost of long delays between each phase, often with frequent dead times while allowing for non-existent traffic.
The system should be supported by traffic sensors that speed up changes when there is no traffic waiting for that phase.
Additional traffic clearing should be provided by allowing left turns during the right turn phases, as shown by the dotted lines in the sketch – and similarly for the opposite phases.
Response Head of the eThekwini Transport Authority, Thami Manyathi
The City cannot allow mixed-use traffic in these lanes, as the system will not be able to function with other vehicles in these dedicated bus lanes once operational. Allowing other vehicles to use these lanes while the city is finalising operational readiness plans would only pose challenges when operations begin as people would think they could still use them. The new lanes on either side of the underpass are designed to cope with the traffic requirements of this area.
The signal heads and layout have been designed for bus operations. As soon as the buses are operational, timings will be re-evaluated. However, it should be noted that due to the requirement for synchronisation, a vehicle actuated mode of operation cannot be utilised. In addition, the length of signal green times are often dictated by pedestrian crossing times, and not always by volume of traffic. Pedestrian safety is obviously a high priority and a legal requirement.
Due to complicated signal head layouts, it is not always possible or desirable to introduce left turn arrows (which require additional heads) when the opposing protect right turn phase is operating. Once buses are operating, signal timings will be evaluated.
