Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande has unveiled a new Transport Safety Lab at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research's (CSIR's) Scientia campus, in Pretoria. 

The lab features a stationary driving simulator, as well as 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 said the lab would collect and analyse road safety data from the real-world and simulations, which could be used to improve transport safety policies and products.

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

CSIR senior researcher Lerato Kgoa said the lab’s testing vehicle – the Drive Lab – could 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 – the Simulator Lab – housed at the CSIR played a complementary role, she added, because it could recreate hazardous driving conditions in a controlled environment. This allowed researchers to observe how drivers responded 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,” said Kgoa.

The lab boasts experts in transport safety, human behaviour and crash analysis.

Malinga explained that the lab’s research supported the Safe System Approach that South Africa had adopted, where road users, policymakers, transport planners, vehicle manufacturers, infrastructure designers and road agencies shared the responsibility for improving road safety. This approach was a globally recognised framework endorsed by the UN.

CSIR CEO Dr Thulani Dlamini pointed out that original-equipment manufacturers, transport operators and private investors could use the new facility to test and refine new products such as vehicles, road restraint systems and digital technologies.

“Early involvement ensures industry leaders 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,” he added.

He said the lab would also enable evidence-based policy-making aligned with South Africa’s National Road Safety Strategy 2016-2030, and that it would 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 said.

The CSIR Transport Safety Lab is funded by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation.