ResearchSpace :: Browsing by Author "Venter, Karien"

Browsing by Author "Venter, Karien"

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Analysis of modal shift in South Africa: A qualitative investigation
(SATC 2013, 2013-07) Venter, Karien; Mokonyama, Mathetha T; Letebele, M; Dube, S; Masondo, N
The qualitative investigation into factors facilitating modal shift formed part of a larger research study that was conducted by the CSIR for the National Department of Transport. The aim of the study was to understand the factors that are most likely to influence modal shift in South Africa. Within the context of this study it was intended to achieve two purposes: a) to understand how to move commuters in South Africa from private transport to public transport and b) providing conditions whereby optimal use can be made of existing and current public transport available in the country. Modal shift is the result of a personal choice. This study investigated current factors influencing choice of mode as well as factors influencing the choice to shift from one mode to another utilising focus groups as a qualitative data collection method. The study was conducted in all nine provinces and public participation from high, medium and low income participants from rural, urban and metropolitan areas were sought. Findings from this research indicated that there is a large void between what is “available” to people and what people “prefer” as their ideal mode of transport. Modal choice was found to be associated with a community/income group “perceived freedom” to make choices. This was strongly associated with the level of income as well as physical access and affordability of specific modes of transport. Furthermore the findings from the study indicate that there are significant differences in how people from different provinces and income groups view and choose specific modes of transport based on personal, social and environmental factors. This paper provides an overview of the findings pertaining to these relationships and correlations between the different factors found to influence modal choice.
Best practices in support of vulnerable road user protection in South Africa
(2023-07) Barnard, HC; Venter, Karien
Vulnerable road user fatalities continue to make up the bulk of road traffic related deaths in South Africa. Safe System-based measures aim to improve the safety of the road environment for all road users including vulnerable road users. Safe System-based measures are primary mitigation measures that focus on reducing the severity of accidents while supporting techniques and measures that focus on reducing the number of accidents. Road Restraint Systems (RRS) form a vital part of the road planning and design process in support of minimising the severity of accidents, including accidents involving vulnerable road users. The uptake of best practices relating to the provision of safe and forgiving roads that can mitigate the severity of injuries in South Africa, has been poor. This research paper considers the plight of vulnerable road users in the South African road environment and provides practical evidence/examples of existing scenarios where roadside risk for vulnerable road users such as non-motorised transport users can be addressed through the provision of correct and crash tested RRS that contribute to making the road environment inherently safe and more forgiving.
The cost of crashes in South Africa 2016
(www.satc.org.za/, 2017-07) Labuschagne, F; De Beer, E; Roux, D; Venter, Karien
The ‘total cost of road traffic crashes’ metric is an important road safety indicator that serves as the departure point for understanding the extent and magnitude of the road safety problem in a country and the stifling impact it has on efforts to eradicate poverty and grow the economy. The previous Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) cost estimation was published in 2004 by the Department of Transport (DoT). Though it was useful for benefit/cost evaluation of road safety programmes and projects targeting specific types of RTCs and victim groups (the main purpose of the methodology used), the general view was that the methodology was cumbersome to apply and that the social costs elements of RTCs needed to be accounted more comprehensively. In September 2015 the Road Traffic Management Corporation commissioned the evaluation and review of the methodology of the 2004 DoT report (CoC 2004) with the overall aim to adopt a more user-friendly methodology to account appropriately for the local realities of the social and indirect cost of RTCs in the South African context. This paper provides an overview of the “Cost of Crashes 2016” project and of cost estimation outcomes of the various elements that make up the total cost of RTCs in South Africa. The total cost of RTC was estimated to amount to R 142.9 billion based on the available 2015 fatal RTC data, which represents about 3.4 per cent of the Gross National Product (GDP). The paper concludes with examples of applications of the CoC 2016 RTC costing in support of implementing the ‘Safe System’ approach.
Driver perception of fluorescent yellow green signage
(2024-10) Marole, Busisiwe C; Bosilong, Keolebogile KJ; Mongae, Tshegofatso; Cheure, Namatirai; Venter, Karien
The Safe System Approach (SSA), to which South Africa is a signatory, is the premise of the South African National Road Safety Strategy (SANRSS) that aims to significantly reduce the number of road traffic fatalities and severe injuries. It recognizes that human error is inevitable and seeks to minimize the consequences of mistakes by designing roads, environments, vehicles, and traffic systems that are more forgiving. Road signs play a critical role in ensuring the safety of both motorists and pedestrians on roadways. International evidence points to the fact that among the various colours used for road signage, “fluorescent yellow green (FY/G)" or "safety yellow," stands out as a colour that commands attention. FY/G signs has emerged as an effective and attention-grabbing colour to highlight hazardous locations and conditions. FY/G is vibrant and highly visible appearance, especially in adverse weather conditions and low-light situations. However, it is currently not part of the South African Road Traffic Signs Manual (SARTSM), which is the guiding regulation for the application of road signs in South Africa. A pilot study was undertaken for South Africa, to measure the perception of FY/G for South African drivers. This extended abstract provides feedback regarding the preliminary findings in support of the use of FYS signage as part of the South African road environment.
Driver perception of non-motorised transport users: A risk in traffic?
(www.satc.org.za/, 2017-07) Venter, Karien
As part of an ongoing effort to explore driver behaviour in South Africa, this research investigates non-motorised transport users as an element of risk in the driving environment from a driver perspective. This research made use of a small sample of previously collected naturalistic driving data (NDD) that allows for the investigation and examination of detailed driver actions at a high granularity (microsecond) level. The results of the study show that drivers do not seem to acknowledge vulnerable road users (VRUs), including pedestrians, road workers, and cyclists in their immediate environment the assumption being that the reason for this is the fact that NMT and VRUs are part of the everyday normal driving environment. This paper concludes with an application of the research findings as input into the Road Traffic Safety Management System (RTSMS) in support of the Safe System to design and implement alternative interventions in support of reducing the crashes on South African roads.
Good the bad and the ugly: perception as a key feature in road safety
(2009-07) Venter, Karien
Concern about the level of lawlessness and the lack of discipline among South African drivers is prominent among South African authorities, media and public. Although South Africa historically did conduct research into road user behaviour, most of it is irrelevant in the current context and one would argue that researchers in this field will have to return to the drawing board “to start all over again”. The objective of this paper is to assess the role that the psychological trait “perception” plays in road safety. Research pertaining to human factors in crash causation is a relatively new field of research for specifically modern day South Africa. Research related to the psychology of road users and the influences thereof should be understood within a psycho-social and behavioural context. Only when root causes are understood can the information be used to inform, design and implement the use of “visible” approaches, such as traffic calming, enforcement strategies and education or mass media campaigns.
Human factors for engineering: A South African study
(2013-10) Venter, Karien; Labuschagne, FJJ; Le Roux, M; Cloete, G
Worldwide, fatigue has been cited as a contributory cause in heavy vehicle crashes. In South Africa very little scientific evidence is available to support or reject this notion. A study was commissioned to investigate the role fatigue plays on a specific 100 km stretch of highway in the Free State province of South Africa. The section in question is a dual carriage way, in a predominantly rural environment and access to the road is limited and controlled. This road is of strategic importance and approximately a third of all traffic is heavy vehicles transporting goods between the economic hub of Johannesburg and the busy seaport of Durban. The study comprised of a detailed road safety engineering assessment and a human factor (fatigue) study. Heavy vehicle crashes constitutes almost half of all the crashes occurring on the stretch of road. The crash analysis revealed that this section of the road has an over-representation of roll-over, rear-end and side swept crashes. Internationally these types of crashes have been associated with fatigue. The study section has been described as “boring” and “long” by the drivers participating in the fatigue survey. This paper provides a brief overview of the findings from site inspection, health assessment and crash analysis. The paper then reports on the driver fatigue study where self-reported questionnaires were administered to drivers frequenting the road. Driver responses contributed to a better understanding of where and when fatigue sets in on the N3 Route. The fatigue study provided the researchers with a better understanding of the context in which fatigue occur. The paper concludes with recommendations for engineering measures which could potentially alleviate fatigue along the N3 Route.
Indications of high levels of inattentive and distracted driving in South Africa
(2016-07) Venter, Karien; Labuschagne, Kobus; Phasha, S; Gxowa, M; Khoza, S
In 2015, the Road Traffic Management Corporation undertook a pilot study to investigate how prevalent driver inattention and distraction is in South Africa. Driver inattention and distraction is the leading factor in near-crashes in for instance the United States of America where indications are that 65 per cent of near-crashes involve some form of driver inattention within three seconds before an incident. This pilot project interrogated a small sample (non-representative) of naturalistic driving data collected from four drivers over a period of six months to explore whether or not South Africans are prone to distracted driving. Preliminary indications are that inattentive and/or distracted driving, including mobile phone use, distraction by passengers and other in-vehicle behaviours are indeed prevalent. In the majority of the data analysed, all drivers showed signs of general inattention and at least one type of distracted driving behaviour. The frequency with which these behaviours occur seems to be high, leading to the question whether inattentive driving has become the norm rather than the exception for South African drivers. The findings substantiate the need for a much larger study that could explore the problem on a national level.
Informal methods of social control: managing speed behaviour on SA roads
(South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE), 2009-09) Venter, Karien
The engineering process of setting speed limits is specialised and considers a wide array of factors, including the number of crashes, existing engineering interventions, types of vehicle, road users, vehicle volumes, modes of transport, road alignment, socio-economic and human factors, as well as the road environment in general. Fieldwick and De Beer (1988) emphasised that an urban speed limit is a necessary and effective road safety tool. Speed limits convey important information to drivers as to what the safe maximum speed is for a certain road considering the prevailing conditions. Roads have prescribed speed limits that fit the individual road's primary function. These limits are determined by considering the quality and type of road, the type and mix of road users and traffic, and the surrounding environment.
Intertwining road user behaviour and traffic psychology with ITS in South Africa
(2010-05) Venter, Karien
Road safety is a core problem that the South African government battle with year-on year. One of the areas where South Africa has sadly been lacking behind is within the field of road and traffic psychology. This is despite the fact that presumably 90% of road and traffic crashes are considered to be due to human error. Approaches to address road user behaviour on South African roads are seemingly not tailored enough to address the problem on our roads. One of the reasons for this might be the serious lack of reliable scientifically sound data. Without adequate transport and traffic related data it becomes difficult to develop countermeasures or to influence policy and the effective formulation of strategies to curb the road safety problem in South Africa. The CSIR NyendaWeb aims to address this problem through the creation of an open platform, where data from a sensor web can be received, analysed and made accessible to researchers, practitioners and policy-makers. Interventions and strategies to reduce crashes in South Africa mainly revolve around engineering and enforcement with little or no real insight into the behaviour that these strategies aim to address. The field of Intelligent Transportation Systems is still fairly unexplored within either the ergonomics or traffic psychology domain in South Africa. The CSIR NyendaWeb platform for the first time provides an opportunity to collect road user behaviour data through the sensor web, which will make it possible to collate, analyse and interpret road user behaviour on a higher level. Most approaches in accident reduction revolve around (mostly unavailable) crash data and specific locations. By utilising the sensor web to collect different types of information from everyday road usage situations it becomes possible to better understand road user behaviour within the South African context. In order to interpret and understand what the specific road user behaviour is and how it fits within the South Africa context, one should first be able to classify that information. Currently no such a behavioural guideline or index for road users exists in South Africa. Only after road user behaviour has been classified and indexed can methods be developed to fully measure road user behaviour. This tool could be used to pinpoint specific and hazardous locations, as is currently being done, but will also give insight into general and “not at risk” road user behaviour.
An investigation into driver fatigue on the N3 between Villiers and Warden
(SATC 2013, 2013-07) Venter, Karien; Labuschagne, FJJ; Le Roux, M; Cloete, G
The N3 Toll Concession (Pty) Ltd (N3TC) manages the 420 km of the N3 Route between Heidelberg (Gauteng) and Cedara (KwaZulu-Natal) on behalf of SANRAL. The N3 Route is described as one of the busiest roads in South Africa linking the port of Durban with the economic hub of Johannesburg. Large volumes of vehicles (of which around a third are heavy vehicles) travel on this road daily. This paper reports on the findings of a research study into the role that driver fatigue plays in crashes occurring on specifically the 100 km (Sections N3/8x, N3/8; and N3/9) stretch between Warden and Villiers in the Free State Province. The research project entailed a literature review on fatigue and drowsy driving, human factors for engineering study as well as a study on driver fatigue as contributory factor in crashes along the respective section of freeway. All the road sections mentioned have their own unique characteristics in terms of the road environment, the type of crashes that occur as well as the level of fatigue experienced by long-haul heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers. This research paper provides an overview of the findings from the human factors for engineering study.
An investigation into driver fatigue on the N3 between Villiers and Warden
(SATC, 2013-07) Venter, Karien; Labuschagne, FJJ; Le Roux, M; Cloete, G
The N3 Toll Concession (Pty) Ltd (N3TC) manages the 420 km of the N3 Route between Heidelberg (Gauteng) and Cedara (KwaZulu-Natal) on behalf of SANRAL. The N3 Route is described as one of the busiest roads in South Africa linking the port of Durban with the economic hub of Johannesburg. Large volumes of vehicles (of which around a third are heavy vehicles) travel on this road daily. This paper reports on the findings of a research study into the role that driver fatigue plays in crashes occurring on specifically the 100 km (Sections N3/8x, N3/8; and N3/9) stretch between Warden and Villiers in the Free State Province. The research project entailed a literature review on fatigue and drowsy driving, human factors for engineering study as well as a study on driver fatigue as contributory factor in crashes along the respective section of freeway. All the road sections mentioned have their own unique characteristics in terms of the road environment, the type of crashes that occur as well as the level of fatigue experienced by long-haul heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers. This research paper provides an overview of the findings from the human factors for engineering study.
Naturalistic driving studies in support of road safety research in South Africa
(Southern African Transport Conference, 2019-07) Venter, Karien; Muronga, Khangwelo; Sallie, Ismail M; De Franca, Volanda MP; Kemp, Mauritz J; Botha, Rika; De Saxe, Christopher C; Berman, Robert J; Binda, Phindile L; De Beer, E; Sinclair, M
Internationally, evidence-based research informs the actions and interventions that are successfully implemented in developed countries, aiming for a zero fatality rate. South African progress to reduce the number of fatal road crashes remains slow and traditional approaches to address road safety seems to be ineffective. There is a need for targeted road safety research that informs the design and implementation of road safety interventions. To promote a better understanding of the value that evidence-based road safety research plays in supporting the implementation of initiatives within the Road Traffic Safety Management System (RTSMS), CSIR Built Environment has for the past five years invested a portion of the parliamentary grant into the development of the naturalistic driving studies (NDS) methodology. NDS is a research approach that facilitates a better understanding of the contributory factors and interactions between the environment, human and vehicle. This research paper contributes baseline information regarding the development, application and value of NDS as a road safety research tool.
Novice driver training within the South African NRSS 2030
(Southern African Transport Conference, 2019-07) Venter, Karien; Sinclair, M; Lennox, L
Novice drivers, worldwide, have a significant risk of being fatally or seriously injured in a road traffic crash. South African statistics show that novice driver crashes (over a three-year period) represent approximately a tenth of all driver fatalities. As a signatory to the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 (UNDoA), South Africa has pledged to halve road traffic crashes by 2020 from the 2010 baseline. To achieve a systematic reduction in road traffic deaths, the South African Department of Transport (DoT) published the revised National Road Safety Strategy (NRSS) 2016-2030. Developed and designed according to the principles of the Safe Systems approach, the NRSS aims to address the South African road safety problem by prioritising road safety interventions, ensuring appropriate allocation of resources and funds for the design and implementation of actions and strategies to address the dire road safety situation in South Africa. Evidence based research, needs to inform the type and direction of the interventions implemented. The NRSS mentions learner driver training only briefly and there are no clear guidelines on how to address novice driver training within the NRSS framework. This paper provides an overview of competencies acquired while learning to drive and makes recommendations for a more inclusive approach to address novice driver training in the quest for a safe road and traffic system.
Operating costs: PBS vs conventional heavy vehicles in South Africa
(2021-07) Steenkamp, Anton J; Venter, Karien; De Saxe, Christopher; Kemp, Lana
Road transport is a highly competitive industry and is renowned for low profit margins. Road transport however accounts for almost 6 % of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is the backbone of the economy. The Performance-Based Standards (PBS) or Smart Truck Pilot project has existed in South Africa since 2007 and monitoring data has shown substantial savings including a 34 % reduction in crash rates, 18.3 million litres of fuel and 534 840 trips being saved since the start of the project. The Australian PBS programme is projected to save more than AUS$17 billion by 2034. The potential financial impact of PBS in South Africa has not yet been fully quantified using actual operational costs from operators participating in the trial. In this study a questionnaire was used to collect operational costs from PBS operators and has compared the costs of PBS and baseline vehicles. The most significant finding is that on a per tonne-km basis, the weighted average overall cost savings was 18.8 % for the all PBS versus baseline vehicles. Not all PBS operators showed a reduction in operating costs but this could be attributed to having only one PBS vehicle and operating in a specialized industry with short lead distances. PBS however, appears as a viable solution to reduce transport costs, reduce crashes and emissions and also save the road infrastructure and should be considered for regulated implementation in South Africa.
Review of research to inform the development of a hazard perception test for novice drivers in South Africa
(2015-06) Venter, Karien; Sinclair, M
A driver constantly needs to be aware of his or her driving within a specific traffic environment. “Situational Awareness’ is the term used to describe the level of awareness drivers have to apply in the driving environment, specifically to hazards that may be present. The ability to respond appropriately to hazards is a direct consequence of this awareness. Research has shown that awareness skills are largely lacking in novice drivers primarily due to their inexperience: hazard perception skills are developed and improved over time. South African research shows that locally novice drivers are also over represented in crash statistics. However little evidence as to why is available. This review provides an overview and synthesis of available international and local research related to hazard perception and aims to provide baseline information that serves as an introduction to South African research focussing on novice driver hazard perception within the South African road environment.
Road freight and the environment
(2015-07) Makamo, N; Van Rooyen, C; Venter, Karien
Freight transportation is one of the major contributors to economic development in a country. During a recent study, it was found that little information is available in terms of the cost of crashes to the environment. Environmental impacts of road freight transport are categorised as direct or secondary impacts. Externalities are an economic concept that refers to activities that have unintended consequences, positive or negative consequences. This review considers the different environmental links between heavy vehicle transport and the environment. Gauteng is used as an example to highlight the importance that freight plays in the province and highlights the need for adequate freight data to address environmental costs of freight crashes
Road safety 'results focus' - ready to launch?
(SATC, 2016-07) Labuschagne, FJJ; Venter, Karien
The results of road safety interventions in South Africa are disappointing and the cost of road safety related casualties and damage and drain on public resources are possibly to the upper side of the typical range of 2 to 3 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The paper presents a systems level overview of South Africa’s institutional orientation towards achieving road safety results by considering the institutional management functions of ‘results focus’, coordination and legislation as proposed in the Road Safety Management System (RSMS) developed by Bliss and Breen (2009). These three functions, together with funding and resource allocation, promotion, monitoring and evaluation, and R&D and knowledge transfer, are the foundation of the RSMS. It is a strategic approach that sets specific road safety targets and the design and implementation of evidence-based and data-driven interventions and sustained efforts to achieve the desired focus on results by all road safety stakeholders and role players. The paper highlights the critical need for South Africa becoming more assertively ‘results focus’ on road safety. Strong strategic direction supported by effective and efficient coordination and collaborative structures is essential in order to address the status quo of road safety in South Africa. There is the indication that road safety-relevant legislation needs to be adapted to institutionalise ‘results focus’ in road safety governance structures. ISO 39001:2012, based on the RSMS of Bliss and Breen (2009), provides a relevant tool to achieve broad-based ‘results focus’ institutionalisation.
Samarium oxide as a radiotracer to evaluate the in vivo biodistribution of PLGA nanoparticles
(Springer, 2015-09) Mandiwana, V; Kalombo, Lonji; Venter, Karien; Sathekge, M; Grobler, A; Zeevaart, JR
Developing nanoparticulate delivery systems that will allow easy movement and localization of a drug to the target tissue and provide more controlled release of the drug in vivo is a challenge in nanomedicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biodistribution of poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles containing samarium-153 oxide ([(sup153)Sm]Sm(sub2)O(sub3)) in vivo to prove that orally administered nanoparticles alter the biodistribution of a drug. These were then activated in a nuclear reactor to produce radioactive (sup153)Sm-loaded-PLGA nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were characterized for size, zeta potential, and morphology. The nanoparticles were orally and intravenously (IV) administered to rats in order to trace their uptake through imaging and biodistribution studies. The 153Sm-loaded-PLGA nanoparticles had an average size of 281 ± 6.3 nm and a PDI average of 0.22. The zeta potential ranged between 5 and 20 mV. The [(sup153)Sm]Sm(sub2)O(sub3) loaded PLGA nanoparticles, orally administered were distributed to most organs at low levels, indicating that there was absorption of nanoparticles. While the IV injected [(sup153)Sm]Sm(sub2)O(sub3)-loaded PLGA nanoparticles exhibited the highest localization of nanoparticles in the spleen (8.63 %ID/g) and liver (3.07 %ID/g), confirming that nanoparticles are rapidly removed from the blood by the RES, leading to rapid uptake in the liver and spleen. From the biodistribution data obtained, it is clear that polymeric nanoscale delivery systems would be suitable for improving permeability and thus the bioavailability of therapeutic compounds.
South African novice driver behaviour: findings from a naturalistic driving study
(Southern African Transport Conference, 2014-07) Venter, Karien; Sinclair, M
Across the world novice drivers are over-represented in crashes. The first eighteen months after licensure appears to be the most dangerous as the newly licensed driver comes to terms with his or her newly acquired skill. With practice, skills such as scanning behaviour and handling of the vehicle improve significantly. This study used naturalistic driving study methodology to investigate novice driver behaviour in South Africa. Data acquisition systems were installed in two participant groups’ (pairs) vehicles. Participant groups were a combination of a parent and novice driver. Both participant pairs drove around with the data acquisition systems for approximately three months. A large amount of data was collected not only from the drivers but from the vehicles and the environment as well. This paper provides an overview of the research process and methodology followed and will highlight key findings relating to the novice driver hazard perception skills. Although this study is not representative (as only four people participated), the findings indicate that this type of study, used on a much larger scale, could provide important baseline data for novice drivers. This could in turn used to tailor and improve current driver training practices in South Africa.

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