Non-synchronised robots hugely frustrating

I WISH to raise the issue of traffic lights and the supposed synchronised operation.

I refer to two sets of nerve sapping robots being defective in operations for a considerable time now.

One is at the old Croc Rock or Green Africa Nursery and the other is at the canal, which is a three-phase robot.

I’ll start with the problem on the robot mentioned first.

If there is traffic, even just one car, from the harbour side and the light turns green for this solitary car, many others have stopped at the red light from Meerensee and Arboretum.

You could easily sit on your camping chair braaiing a rump steak waiting for it to turn green.

Just imagine how much fuel is painstakingly, unacceptably wasted at this robot, not to mention people’s time.

The second robot is just 800m down the track and I reported this mal-operation to a municipal official responsible, who has shown no interest thus far.

The problem here is as follows:

It is a three-phase robot but even if there’s no traffic from Arboretum, that light turns green anyway (induction lines not functional).

Traffic from Empangeni and Meerensee sides now wait for the ‘invisible’ cars from Arboretum to clear. Again wasting expensive fuel and time!

The solution to both problems is merely a control philosophy change (settings), which will make the motorists’ lives less frustrating and more productive.

And the ratepayers are paying for these services to run smoothly and correctly, but seemingly the responsible official is carrying excessive lead in his shoes and neglecting basic duties.

Come on, let’s work together and make things happen from now on for a better, productive and prosperous new South Africa!