South Africa’s big plans for self-driving cars and delivery drones

Transport minister Barbara Creecy says transport will be revolutionised in South Africa over the next decade, which will include using artificial intelligence (AI) for traffic management on the country’s roads.

She also said the acceleration of digital technologies in South Africa will see the introduction of autonomous vehicles and drones for delivery.

“Transport is in the midst of one of the greatest changes since the introduction of the automobile,” said Creecy during her 2024 budget vote speech.

“The transition to new energy vehicles is also accelerating rapidly, with electric vehicles set to be the cars of our now and immediate future.”

“In this next decade, transport will also be revolutionised by an acceleration of digital technology,” she said.

The Department of Transport will also implement new technologies in South Africa’s ports and railway systems, in addition to the use of AI, self-driving cars, and delivery drones.

“Innovations include operational automation and real-time tracking of shipments to assist in port management and digital signalling to modernise the management of our railway systems,” said Creecy.

The minister also said she expects a significant shake-up in the skills required from workers in the transport sector.

“New technologies and new global imperatives will fundamentally alter the skills requirements of those employed in the transport sector as well as open up new value chains for new forms of economic access, ownership and employment,” she said.

Creecy provided insight into her department’s Green Transport Strategy, which includes investing in renewable energy infrastructure and promoting the uptake of fuels like biogas and green hydrogen.

She added that the Department of Transport plans to expand South Africa’s rail network to provide alternative public transport and develop green procurement guidelines to promote low-carbon technologies.

“Implementation of the Green Transport Strategy will be a priority for our Department in this term of government,” said Creecy.

Amazon uses drones to fulfil Prime Air orders in selected markets. Editorial credit: No-Mad / Shutterstock.com

Creecy said road safety will be a priority during her term in office.

In his budget vote speech, deputy minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa provided further details on the department’s plans to improve road safety.

He noted that there has been some improvement in the past three years, with road fatalities reducing from 12,554 in 2021 to 11,883 in 2023.

“Irresponsible driver behaviour has been noted as the major contributor to road crashes, with distracted driving, drunken driving; over speeding; and non-compliance with the rules of the road playing a major role,” said Hlengwa.

“Research has proven that changing road user behaviour is central to making our roads safer.”

“In fact, statistics have indicated that up to 87% of all road fatalities in the country can be attributed to road user behaviour compelling us towards a programme of behaviour change across the road sector,” he added.

Hlengwa noted that pedestrian deaths are the highest segment of victims in the country and said the government is committed to fighting these incidents.

Minister Creecy also spoke about the Economic Regulation of Transport Act 2024, which President Cyril Ramaphosa recently signed into law.

“A key piece of legislation that will be implemented during this administration is the Economic Regulation of Transport Act 2024,” she said.

“The Act will establish a single transport economic regulator to help ensure an efficient and cost-effective transport system.”

The Act aims to promote economic growth by encouraging increased competitiveness and an effective and productive transport sector.

The transport economic regulator will regulate prices in the sector, investigate complaints, and enforce compliance.

The regulator will also be responsible for research, price control approval, and enforcement to determine price controls and service standards.

To this end, the Act grants the regulator substantial powers to conduct investigations, including the right to subpoena and to enter and search under warrant.