South Africa’s Ambitious Plans for Self-Driving Cars and Delivery Drones

South Africa’s Transport Minister Barbara Creecy outlines a transformative decade ahead for the country’s transport sector, including the introduction of self-driving cars, delivery drones, and enhanced digital technologies for traffic management and infrastructure. South Africa is gearing up for a groundbreaking decade in transportation, according to Transport Minister Barbara Creecy. In her 2024 budget vote speech, Creecy unveiled a comprehensive vision for revolutionizing the country’s transport sector with cutting-edge technologies. The ambitious plans include the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) for traffic management, the deployment of autonomous vehicles, and the use of delivery drones.

“The transport sector is on the brink of one of the greatest transformations since the invention of the automobile,” Creecy stated, highlighting the rapid acceleration of digital technologies. Central to this transformation is the shift towards new energy vehicles, with electric cars poised to become mainstream.

The Department of Transport’s strategy involves several key innovations. Autonomous vehicles will soon navigate South Africa’s roads, while drones will handle deliveries, reflecting a broader trend towards digital integration. Ports and railways will also see technological upgrades, such as operational automation and real-time shipment tracking, alongside digital signaling to modernize railway management.

Creecy emphasized that these advancements will reshape the skills landscape in the transport sector, introducing new forms of economic access, ownership, and employment. The transition will demand new competencies from workers, aligning with global technological and environmental imperatives.

The Green Transport Strategy, a core component of Creecy’s vision, aims to advance renewable energy infrastructure and promote alternative fuels like biogas and green hydrogen. This strategy includes expanding the rail network to enhance public transport options and developing green procurement guidelines to support low-carbon technologies.

Road safety remains a top priority, with Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa reporting a decline in road fatalities from 12,554 in 2021 to 11,883 in 2023. Despite this progress, issues such as irresponsible driving and pedestrian deaths persist. Hlengwa stressed the importance of behavioral change in improving road safety, noting that up to 87% of road fatalities are attributed to user behavior.

Further strengthening South Africa’s transport sector is the Economic Regulation of Transport Act 2024, recently signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa. This legislation aims to establish a single transport economic regulator to enhance efficiency and competitiveness. The regulator will oversee pricing, investigate complaints, and enforce compliance, with substantial powers to conduct investigations and ensure service standards.

Overall, South Africa’s ambitious transport overhaul reflects a commitment to embracing innovation and improving safety, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability in the years to come.