The document discusses human factors contributing to road transport safety issues in South Africa, highlighting high injury rates and economic costs linked to vehicle accidents. It emphasizes innovative approaches, such as driver monitoring systems and advanced driver assistance systems, to mitigate risks, alongside the establishment of a transport safety lab for research and data-driven interventions. A case study on the effectiveness of fluorescent yellow/green road signs suggests their potential to enhance visibility and safety, advocating for policy recommendations to incorporate such signage into official regulations.

1. Innovative Approaches to Mitigating
Human Factors in Road Transport
Transport Forum Webinar
12 September 2024
Lerato Kgoa

2. 2
Introduction to CSIR
CSIR Mandate:
“The objects of the CSIR are, through directed and particularly multi-disciplinary research
and technological innovation, to foster, in the national interest and in fields which in its
opinion should receive preference, industrial and scientific development, either by itself or in
co-operation with principals from the private or public sectors, and thereby to contribute to
the improvement of the quality of life of the people of the Republic, and to perform any
other functions that may be assigned to the CSIR by or under this Act.”
(Scientific Research Council Act 46 of 1988, amended by Act 71 of 1990)

3. Road Transport ‘Unsafety’
• Transport Safety is a long-standing
issue in South Africa.
• High injury and fatality rates
• Economic cost of crashes estimated to be
R205.13 billion in 2023 (RTMC, 2023)
• Disproportionate impact on vulnerable
road users (VRUs)
• Alcohol-impaired driving is responsible for
about 58% of road fatalities (RTMC, 2023) (Source: Unknown)

4. 4
Human Factors in Road Transport Safety
• Human Factors: Psychological, Cognitive, and
Behavioural elements.
• Leading contributors: speeding, reckless driving,
distraction, fatigue and alcohol consumption.
• Supply Chain Relevance:
– Loss of life
– Damaged goods
– Shipment delays

5. 5
Innovative Approaches to Addressing Human Factors
Across the globe, innovative technologies are being developed and deployed to address the risks
posed by human factors.
Driver Monitoring
Systems (DMS)
Driver Monitoring Systems
(DMS) are AI-based systems
that track drivers’ physiological
states in real-time.
Advanced Driver
Assistance Systems
(ADAS)
ADAS technologies provide an
additional layer of safety by
augmenting drivers' abilities.
Naturalistic Driving
Studies (NDS)
Naturalistic Driving Studies
involve the continuous
monitoring of drivers in real-
world conditions.
Transport Safety Lab

6. 6
Transport Safety Lab - Establishment and Objectives
• CSIR Smart Mobility Cluster has invested in the
establishment of a dedicated transport safety
research facility in SA.
• Addresses the urgent need for innovative and
multidisciplinary solutions to improve transport
safety.
• Aims to provide data-driven insights and research-
based interventions, specifically tailored to the South
African and African contexts.

7. 7
Transport Safety Lab – Cutting-Edge Technologies
DriveLab
Our Noldus DriveLab system, equipped with eye-tracking
technology, enables us to monitor driver fatigue, alertness, and
focus in real driving scenarios.
Vehicle Simulator
By integrating this with our Vehicle Simulator, we can also
evaluate Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) and Advanced Driver
Assistance Systems (ADAS) to understand their potential for
mitigating human error and improving road safety.
The simulator can also assess the impact of various transport
safety interventions in a controlled environment. .

8. CASE STUDY
Driver Perception of
Fluorescent Yellow/Green
Traffic Signs
PILOT STUDY

9. 9
Case Study: Driver Perception of Fluorescent Yellow/Green Road
Signage
1 High Accident Rates
Road accidents are a major
public safety concern in South
Africa, with pedestrians
accounting for 38% of road
fatalities.
2 Low Visibility Issues
Many accidents occur in low-
visibility areas or hazardous
locations where standard road
signage is insufficient.
3 SARTSM Limitations
The South African Road Traffic
Signs Manual (SARTSM) does not
currently allow for the use of FY/G
road signs on public roads.
The Problem/Challenge

10. 10
Case Study: Driver Perception of Fluorescent Yellow/Green
Road Signage
The Solution

11. 11
Methodological Approach
Literature review
Collaboration
with RTMC and SARTSMA
Mapping of existing
and
new infrastructure
Pilot study (test of
technology
and concepts)
Coding and
analysis
Results

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Methodological Approach
• Study conducted on a 2.4km ring-
road within the CSIR Pretoria
Campus.
• Existing standard road signs retained,
and new FY/G signs placed.
• Participants wore Tobii Eye-Tracker
Glasses© to measure gaze patterns
and fixation durations.
• Surveys administered to participants
before and after the experiment.

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Results: Measurable Outcomes
Gaze Patterns • Higher glance percentages recorded for both FY/G and standard signs, with
males showing a greater tendency to glance at FY/G signs compared to females
• Females had longer fixation durations on FY/G signs than males.
• (3.7 seconds for females vs. 1.5 seconds for males) compared to standard
signs (2.3 seconds for females vs. 1.8 seconds for males).
Driver Perception/
Sign Recognition
• Eight out of ten participants noticed the FY/G signs, with the majority rating them
as highly visible.
• Seven out of ten participants reported being familiar with FY/G signage from
international experiences.
Demographic Variations • Experienced drivers (over five years of license ownership)
demonstrated higher glance and fixation durations
compared to less experienced drivers.

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Way Forward and Possible Research Implications
• Scaling the Study: Results justify a larger-scale naturalistic driving study, which could include a
broader participant base across different road environments.
• Policy Recommendations: Findings support a case for incorporating FY/G signs into South
Africa’s official road sign regulations.
Implications
Enhanced
Road
Safety
Regulatory
Changes

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Key Takeaways…
• Innovative approaches to mitigating human factors are critical for improving road transport
safety.
• We must continue with collaborative, multidisciplinary efforts
– Transport safety issues are complex and require cross-cutting solutions.
– Meaningful strides will come from shared expertise and collaborative innovation.

16. Thank you
Lerato Kgoa
Lkgoa@csir.co.za
072 298 5639