Primedia partners with road agency to keep Joburg's traffic lights powered up
Primedia Outdoor has partnered with the Johannesburg Roads Agency to provide uninterrupted power at critical intersections through its battery-driven billboards.
Primedia Outdoor partners with Johannesburg Road Agency to keep traffic lights on during power outages. X/@ewnreporter
702's John Perlman is joined by Bongumusa Makhathini, CEO of Primedia Outdoor.
Johannesburg motorists regularly experience the frustration of traffic lights being out of order, mainly due to power cuts.
Primedia Outdoor, a division of Primedia, has now partnered with the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) to improve the situation.
On Thursday, the initiative was launched with a signing ceremony at the major intersection between Sandton Drive and Winnie Mandela Drive where the programme kicks off.
The intersection has been identified as a critical location to receive a back-up power solution. More sites are set to follow.
It's part of the ongoing Traffic Signals Back-up Power Initiative (TSBPI), which aims to maintain the functionality of traffic signals at key intersections during power outages and load shedding.
The stats show that Winnie Mandela Drive accommodates 8 600 vehicles per hour passing through in both directions, and even more in afternoon peak traffic.
John Maytham talks to Primedia Outdoor CEO Bongumusa Makhathini to find out how their solution will actually work.
Makhathini explains that a battery-powered billboard installed at the site by Primedia will provide uninterrupted power supply to the intersection.
"Basically, we're going to be pulling power from our billboard on that corner and making sure there is 24-hour availability of power to the robot, whether there's loadshedding or any disruption."
Bongumusa Makhathini, CEO - Primedia Outdoor
"The JRA have allowed us permission to dig a line to connect the robot from our billboard - that is their role, as well of course as repairs or replacement if a robot is damaged in any way. Our job is to power it up."
Bongumusa Makhathini, CEO - Primedia Outdoor
Makhathini says Primedia wants to contribute to 'making Joburg great again', starting with playing a meaningful role in assisting with areas that are of concern to the citizens of the city.
"We started with that particular intersection and we're going to be doing an additional two along Winnie Mandela Drive."
Bongumusa Makhathini, CEO - Primedia Outdoor
For more detail, listen to the interview audio at the top of the article