Eu/row 0308 - P12
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South Africa
The ball is rolling... Stunted growth Thinking Highways’ financial analyst MARGARET PETTIT looks at the European Territorial Cooperation Programme and finds that like with any other major programme, it’s a matter of priorities
The biggest challenge confronting South Africa in its preparations for the FIFA Soccer World Cup 2010 is to ensure that the national and municipal transport system is up to scratch come 2010. The acceptance that the transport network needs a serious upgrade and improvement is paving the way for ITS deployment to get a significant boost, says Dr Paul Vorster, CEO of the Intelligent Transport Society South Africa. The infrastructure upgrades and the integration of ITS into the mainstream transport operations will permanently change the way South Africans and visitors to the the country travel. “From an industry worth only a few million Euro per
12
Vol 3 No 3 Thinking Highways
Vorster (4).indd 46
annum a few years ago, the local ITS industry has grown into a multi-billion Euro industry with several, world class flagship projects,” says Vorster. There are, however, significant challenges ahead. The process of improving rail, road and air transport infrastructure and, more crucially, co-ordinating their functions, also presents the biggest challenge to government and organisers. The plan is centred on a €1.5billion public transport infrastructure upgrade, covering key roads in host cities and those linking airports to city centres. In addition there is a national transport plan that includes a €200m expansion plan by Metrorail for commuter projects. The Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) is spend-
www.thinkinghighways.com
12/9/08 11:01:32
The ball is rolling... Stunted growth Thinking Highways’ financial analyst MARGARET PETTIT looks at the European Territorial Cooperation Programme and finds that like with any other major programme, it’s a matter of priorities
The biggest challenge confronting South Africa in its preparations for the FIFA Soccer World Cup 2010 is to ensure that the national and municipal transport system is up to scratch come 2010. The acceptance that the transport network needs a serious upgrade and improvement is paving the way for ITS deployment to get a significant boost, says Dr Paul Vorster, CEO of the Intelligent Transport Society South Africa. The infrastructure upgrades and the integration of ITS into the mainstream transport operations will permanently change the way South Africans and visitors to the the country travel. “From an industry worth only a few million Euro per
12
Vol 3 No 3 Thinking Highways
Vorster (4).indd 46
annum a few years ago, the local ITS industry has grown into a multi-billion Euro industry with several, world class flagship projects,” says Vorster. There are, however, significant challenges ahead. The process of improving rail, road and air transport infrastructure and, more crucially, co-ordinating their functions, also presents the biggest challenge to government and organisers. The plan is centred on a €1.5billion public transport infrastructure upgrade, covering key roads in host cities and those linking airports to city centres. In addition there is a national transport plan that includes a €200m expansion plan by Metrorail for commuter projects. The Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) is spend-
www.thinkinghighways.com
12/9/08 11:01:32
