“The TSL is a unique, first-of-its-kind facility in the country, supporting the development of policies, standards and technologies that will enhance road safety,” expressed Dr Thulani Dlamini, CSIR Chief Executive Officer.

With increasing road fatalities threatening the safety of drivers, pedestrians and goods, South Africa’s transport industry urgently requires advanced safety measures. In response, the CSIR has developed a Transport Safety Lab (TSL) focused on improving driver safety across various weather conditions. Launched on Thursday, 24 October 2024, during Transport Month, the facility was inaugurated by the Honourable Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande.

Funded by the Department of Science and Innovation, the TSL is part of South Africa’s mission to reduce road fatalities through research-driven, data-informed and technologically advanced solutions.

Role of Transport Safety Lab

The TSL aims to promote safer and more efficient movement of people and goods by focusing on essential transportation areas such as human factors, road infrastructure safety, traffic engineering and vehicle safety technologies. Human factors, a significant but under-researched contributor to road accidents, are now being studied through advanced tools that track driver behaviour in varied scenarios. “We are delighted to have launched this important facility, which is essential for improving road safety in our country and reducing the costs and lives lost due to road accidents,” stated Dr Sandile Malinga, Group Executive: Smart Society.

Advanced technology for enhanced research

The TSL utilises cutting-edge technology, including the DriveLab and a Simulation Lab, to study road safety in real-world and simulated environments. The DriveLab vehicle, with eye tracking and video tech, supports Naturalistic Driving Studies, while the Simulation Lab simulator replicates various weather and road scenarios to test driver responses. Crash-test dummies equipped with sensors further allow evaluations of vehicle safety features, especially in road restraint systems. “Our success with the TSL has been strengthened by partnerships with key organisations,” shared Nomsa Dlamini, the Executive Cluster Manager: Smart Mobility. “The Road Traffic Management Corporation, SANRAL, Delta Bloc, SARTSMA and industry associations like ECSA, SAICE and SARF have provided guidance, mentorship, and support to our work. We are also grateful to equipment suppliers Noldus and the AVSIM simulation support team for their technical contributions.”

Vision for the future

Positioned as South Africa’s leading transport safety research facility, the TSL combines real-world testing and simulation to deliver data-driven interventions aimed at reducing road fatalities. Through its multidisciplinary research and technological advancements, the TSL supports South Africa’s efforts to build a safer and more reliable transport environment for all. In his speech Prof. Nzimande expressed that, “It is my sincere hope that the CSIR Transport Safety Lab is that it will grow and become a platform for collaboration among stakeholders, contributing to our country’s transport sector and, ultimately, our peoples lives.”