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Bespoke traffic-calming measures best plan to protect all Kingswood road users
‘Traffic’ is a subject that popped up during The BUZZard’s meetings with Kingswood’s CEO and Security subcommittee chairman, as well as its maintenance and community liaison managers; subsequently, an independent traffic consultant’s comprehensive report placed the current status quo and actions required into perspective.
When perusing the monthly Kingswood security report – the focus of an article elsewhere in this edition – the section on traffic measures currently implemented comprises but a small part of this detailed document, and mostly deals with the frequency at which the Truvelo speed camera is used.
The date and time, operator and camera positions feature, as do the number of penalties issued. Some of the recipients were displeased over receiving a citation when driving on home turf, albeit at speeds not safe for fellow road users, be these individuals behind the wheel, on two wheels or on foot.
Dr Tanja Visser is an expert on traffic but also a Kingswood homeowner, which means she’s personally moved to advise in the best interests of fellow residents – including kids, the elderly and differently-abled – as well as wildlife traversing the estate’s roads.
In this context, KGE is not unique
A quick internet search will inform interested parties that the issue of speeding and subsequent augmentation measures is a general challenge at estates across South Africa and the globe. The August 2024 edition of The BUZZard featured an article on speeding penalties and their implications at residential estates.
This notion was reiterated by Kingswood CEO Willem Jacobs, who appeals to residents to be patient during various phases of roadworks and related projects planned for several roads within the estate over the next few months.
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‘In some cases, two-way stops will be turned into three- ways, while several other traffic-calming measures will be installed. We are timing these to piggyback on existing repair requirements. For instance, when resurfacing Kingston Road, we’ll work on the new raised intersection at the same time,’ Willem explains.
‘We are painfully aware that this is an emotive issue, where people are sometimes prone to overreaction and perceptions that may not be based on fact. One speedster does not mean that everyone is speeding, but when kids and animals enter the fray, emotional reactions replace calm consideration of the actual situation.’
Overlapping with security and maintenance
The seriousness of updated road regulations was echoed by the chairperson of Kingswood’s subcommittee charged with security, Fielies Nieuwoudt: ‘The traffic issue is enjoying renewed attention and energy, since many residents are unfortunately disregarding speed limits.’
The subcommittee has decided to up the frequency with which the estate’s Truvelo speed camera will be used. ‘But we’re not divulging where the camera will be placed on which days, as that will reduce its efficiency,’ he says, adding that the camera is monitored by a trained and accredited operator from Fidelity.
‘As we speak, it was decided that at least 20 additional stop signs will be erected, as well as additional speed bumps, to ensure the most effective traffic-calming measures.
The point is, if you hurt your car by speeding over a bump, you only have yourself to blame.’
The board of trustees approved the installation of new three-way stop streets as part of our ongoing efforts to enhance traffic safety within the estate. Although the installation of these stop signs has already commenced and will be completed before the end of March, the progress of these upgrades will be weather-dependent, and different contractors have been tasked with carrying out various aspects of the upgrades.
Residents are kindly requested to exercise caution and remain vigilant in areas where these new stop signs are being installed. Some intersections will be converted into four-way stop streets, while others will become three-way stop streets.
Further communication regarding additional traffic- calming measures and estate-wide upgrades will be shared at a later stage. The cooperation of Kingswood residents is appreciated as it assists the HOA in ensuring a safer environment for all residents, workers and visitors.
Current status quo
Kingswood is a residential, lifestyle and golf estate with a diverse set of road users, ranging from children to the elderly and animals, through to cars, trucks and construction vehicles. ‘But,’ says Dr Tanja Visser, ‘development plans did not allow for pedestrians and cyclists in terms of infrastructure, resulting in a shared road space.’
The consequence is that vulnerable road users compete with dangerous, hard-bodied vehicles when traversing the estate. Speed is a critical element to managing road safety, and the successful enforcement of low travel speeds at Kingswood is necessary due to the shared road space, according to Tanya’s traffic recommendations.
‘Research has determined that the impact speed after which the risk of death escalates for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists is 30kph, and international experts Rosen and Sander recommend that communities select target speeds of 30kph or lower due to safety benefits, particularly for pedestrians.’
The current speed limit in Kingswood is set at 30kph, but the document in question features graphics that explain the relationship between vehicle and pedestrian collision speeds and survival rates. Stats contained in a table demonstrate that, for a shared road space and street circumstance such as Kingswood’s, the ideal speed limit should be between 10kph and 20kph.
Traffic calming to be cost-effective
‘It is important that drivers should not have to be taught about traffic-calming devices for them to be effective. They should be self-explanatory and self-enforcing,’ says Tanja, adding that these measures are most effective when implemented as part of an area-wide approach, i.e. applied across a network of streets rather than just a few sections of the roadway.
‘Good traffic regulations are self-enforcing, rather than relying on the driver’s goodwill or police enforcement. Moreover, enforcement places a burden on Kingswood resources both in terms of cost and personnel, and creates an environment of conflict. Legal action, even if unjustified, might consume further resources, leading to hostility best avoided in a residential estate,’ she says.
Two birds with one stone
The document suggests a set of road-safety improvements, conscious of the fact that these will have to be retrofitted and that work has to be carried out with a prescribed budget. The idea is to maximise existing infrastructure and expand on it, ideally altering drivers’ behaviour for the better.
‘Having consistent stop street protocols can change the driving culture within the estate, which would positively impact the effectiveness of other traffic- calming measures in Kingswood,’ says Tanya. She recommends that stop street compliance is strictly managed, especially after initial implementation, as there is no excuse for drivers to disregard stop streets.
Where possible, the plan is to ‘kill two birds with one stone’ by combining existing golf-cart crossings with a raised platform and pedestrian crossing, elevating the crossing status and safety, while forcing vehicles to lower their travel speeds.
‘It’s imperative that street signage should always be clearly visible. This counts for road markings as well as signposts. All raised platforms should ideally be painted to indicate the elevation change to drivers from a distance. Where possible, raised platforms should be located near lighting fixtures to improve visibility at night,’ advises Tanya.
Straight roads and new challenges
Certain roads within the estate have long,straight sections without sharp bends, intersections with other roads, or pedestrian crossings that would necessarily break a vehicle’s speed.
‘In future, once the suggested traffic-calming measures have been implemented and if infringements still occur on these stretches, additional sets of speed humps at 80m to 100m intervals can be considered,’ she says. These roads include, but are not limited to, Ridge Drive plus Brookside, Ringwood, Kingston, Longbridge, Edgeley and Knightsbridge roads.
‘Considering the flow and movement of golf carts and pedestrians between the new community centre/ clubhouse and parking lots and the intersection between Kingswood Boulevard and Lancaster Road is very important. The intersections with the two new developments beyond the clubhouse also need to be considered when planning traffic-calming interventions for this part of the estate, and this also applies to the future Kingswood Court development.’
Residents are urged to look out for notifications regarding traffic installations in their midst, and to be tolerant when encountering Mornay and his team in the line of duty.
