Illuminating sponsorship alleviates traffic chaos

SMC recently signed an agreement with the National Energy Efficiency Agency (NEEA) to sponsor the traffic lights on one of the busiest intersections in Johannesburg, on the corner of Cedar and Witkoppen Roads in Fourways, to ensure that motorists will have the pleasure of fully functional robots at that point very soon – even during Eskom's power cuts.

“Commuters are at breaking point, and someone has to do something about it urgently. This is exactly why we've decided to come on board with the NEEA by sponsoring the traffic lights at this extremely busy intersection,” says Peter Moir, Southern Mapping Company MD.

“Retrofitting robots to run on solar power is probably the best solution we have for the current traffic crisis,” affirms NEEA Acting General Operations Manager, Barry Bredenkamp.

Covering costs

Although solar powered traffic lights are more expensive to install than conventional robots, the efficiency of the solar traffic light will allow for costs to be recovered within the first year of operation, in terms of power saved.

The traffic lights at the corner of Ceder and Wikoppen Roads will be fitted with a 4m² solar panel and battery packs to capture energy from the sun. Solar panels at the top of the light pole are used to power the lights, and surplus power is stored in battery packs, allowing the system to work throughout the night, and for up to three days in cloudy weather, if need be.

Moir adds, “Southern Mapping Company decided to sponsor this intersection at Cedar and Witkoppen Roads in particular, as it plays an integral role in our business, because many of our employees and customers use the intersection to get to our offices. By ensuring that the robots stay functional, we can make certain that our company continues to provide the excellent service for which we are known.”

Solar-powered traffic light systems have been successfully operational in Europe for many years and more recently, have been manufactured in Japan.

“We have a power crisis, so let's accept it and fix it. Let's all help Eskom to help South Africa, and it can be done if we all work together for our country and not just our pockets. We challenge other business owners to step up to the plate to help alleviate this crisis and to convert as many robots as possible to solar power before the end of the year,” Moir concludes.