The City of Cape Town’s Urban Mobility Directorate is piloting underground chambers for the safe storage of traffic signal controllers and uninterrupted power supply (UPS) systems at intersections prone to vandalism and theft. 

Two chambers – or prefabricated underground utility manholes – have been installed at an intersection in Belhar. 

“The prefabricated chambers are installed a few meters underground and attached to a concrete base,” says Urban Mobility MMC Rob Quintas.

“The traffic signal controllers and UPS system are stored inside the chamber, which is then sealed with a coded mechanical locking system. 

“The chamber is non-metallic and ribbed for strength and has no resale value. 

“Given that it is underground, attached to concrete, and can only be opened by trained technicians, we trust that this new innovation will be the solution to the ongoing theft and vandalism of expensive city equipment at hotpot intersections,” says Quintas.

The prefabricated underground utility manhole is a South African invention, and is locally designed and manufactured.

If the Belhar installation proves successful, more underground chambers will be installed at other intersections in the coming months.

“Currently, our traffic signal equipment is stored above ground, which makes it an easy target for thieves and vandals,” notes Quintas.

“Also, the equipment is often damaged during crashes. 

“Should this pilot initiative work, the city could save millions in stolen and damaged equipment.”

The replacement cost of one traffic signal controller varies between R70 000 and R150 000, depending on the size and complexity of the intersection. 

A new UPS unit, inclusive of the batteries, costs roughly R50 000. 

“In the past financial year alone we spent just over R2-million on replacing and repairing stolen and vandalised traffic signal equipment,” says Quintas.

“I am impressed by this innovation and appreciate the research that has gone into this pilot project. Still, it remains disheartening that the city must go to these lengths to protect its infrastructure.”