The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s (CSIR’s) new Transport Safety Laboratory (TSL) will enable original-equipment manufacturers, transport operators and private investors to test and refine new products such as vehicles, road restraint systems and digital technologies.

The CSIR TSL, funded by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, was unveiled by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Professor Blade Nzimande on October 24.

The lab features a stationary driving simulator housed on the CSIR’s Scientia campus in Pretoria and a vehicle equipped with sensors to collect data on driver behaviour and the environment on the road.

CSIR Smart Society group executive Dr Sandile Malinga says the lab will collect and analyse road safety data from the real-world and simulations, which can be used to improve transport safety policies and products.

“This dual approach gives the CSIR TSL a unique sweet spot in the industry, merging laboratory precision with practical, on-the-road experimentation,” he says, adding that it will ultimately help reduce fatalities and the socioeconomic burden of road crashes.

CSIR CEO Dr Thulani Dlamini says early involvement ensures that industry leaders will gain a competitive edge as they co-develop cutting-edge solutions with the CSIR’s research experts.

“We encourage industry partners to join us in reducing road crashes and ensuring sustainable road infrastructure in South Africa and beyond.”

CSIR senior researcher Lerato Kgoa advises that the lab’s testing vehicle (known as the Drive Lab) can gather live data from South Africa's roads, enabling researchers to analyse signage visibility, road conditions and driver behaviour patterns under various circumstances.

The driving simulator (known as the Simulator Lab) housed at the CSIR plays a complementary role, as it can recreate hazardous driving conditions in a controlled environment, she says.

This allows researchers to observe how drivers respond to dangers such as adverse weather conditions, poor visibility or challenging road surfaces.

“By simulating these scenarios without the real-world risks, researchers can gather valuable data on driver behaviour, decision-making processes and potential improvements in road safety measures,” says Kgoa.

The lab boasts experts in transport safety, human behaviour and crash analysis, and has already conducted a successful pilot study on the perception of fluorescent yellow by drivers.

Malinga explains that the lab’s research supports the Safe System Approach that South Africa has adopted, where road users, policymakers, transport planners, vehicle manufacturers, infrastructure designers and road agencies all share the responsibility for improving road safety. This approach is a globally recognised framework endorsed by the UN.

He says the lab will also enable evidence-based policy-making aligned with South Africa’s National Road Safety Strategy 2016 to 2030, and will work with continental bodies such as the Road Traffic Management Corporation and the Namibia Road Authority.

“The lab's insights are set to inform regulatory frameworks, support law enforcement strategies and influence infrastructure development,” he says.