The impact of NMT infrastructure on pedestrian movement in the city: the case of Polokwane City, Limpopo Province, South Africa

As a developing economy, South Africa has challenges, such as poor economic infrastructure that hinders growth and development. The transport infrastructure is one of the driving forces for economic growth and social development. Like most metropolitan cities, the City of Polokwane, as the economic hub of the Limpopo Province, is also experiencing high traffic congestion during peak hours, which affects the movement of pedestrians and vehicles. The study aimed to assess the movement of pedestrians in the study corridor within the city centre of Polokwane and the availability of appropriate Non-Motorised Transport infrastructure. The study used the mixed method of combining qualitative and quantitative approaches to collect the required data for analysis. The primary data was collected from the field through the monkey survey instrument, while secondary data through the literature review approach. Main findings: The City of Polokwane as the transport authority, developed NMT policy frameworks. However, the researcher identified gaps within the policies, especially the NMT Master Plan, based on the research results. The gaps within the Master Plan are unavailability of plans for improvements and maintenance of existing NMT infrastructure within the city centre. The results also indicate that the existing NMT infrastructure along the study corridor does not meet minimum standard as per NMT infrastructure guidelines developed by South African National Department of Transport in 2014. Moreover, the study recommends that the city reviews their NMT Master Plan to consider maintenance and improvement plans on existing NMT infrastructure within the city centre to meet minimum standards required for NMT infrastructure. The study also recommends decreasing the number of vehicle traffic lanes to extend the footpath in order to allow universal NMT access and improve pedestrian level of service.

Grantor

Department of Civil Engineering

Year dc:date.issued

2022

Author dc:creator

• Makgata, Namudi Reginah

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Vanderschuren, Marianne

• Civil Engineering

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/37488

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/37488