The digital revolution and the fourth industrial revolution have forced a change of mindset upon the world. Businesses and governments have the choice to embrace technology or be left behind, and South Africa has chosen to embrace the cutting edge to help move it forward into the future.
Imraan Rahim, an economist turned data specialist, suggests that “we’ve always lived in a world run by data, but now we have the opportunity to access all the data and run things more efficiently.” It’s no secret that data has become a currency in its own right, there is a vast amount of data produced every day and with that comes an opportunity to organise new information every day. Data for South Africa South Africa is in a position to leverage the fourth industrial in its favour, using the vast amount of data that the country produces every day for better, more efficient services. Reatile Pitso, senior researcher in pavement design and construction for the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has been doing just that. He says, “When we think of data we usually think of internet activity but where you walk, where you drive, how long you do those for, that is data. It is data that is very useful for engineers working on creating smart environments.” The CSIR is a state-owned entity that researches and develops scientific-backed solutions and technological innovation in South Africa’s interests. For example, the CSIR collects data and then manages this data to ensure a safer, more efficient city by applying the data to regulation or monitoring. Trucks are the epicentre of logistics in South Africa and their use is imperative to a functioning logistics network, but they cause damage to roads. Collecting the data of the most used trucking routes allows for better maintenance planning and in some cases changing routes. This in turn makes space for other road users and the CSIR can then inform the national government on micro-mobility plans, such as bicycles and pedestrian paths. The data the CSIR uses has this knock-on effect, where one solution leads to multi-level solutions.
Real-time help
The data they use isn’t only macro but can be localised The CSIR in collaboration with the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transportation released the PotholeFixGP app available on Google Playstore and IOS, which allows road users to report potholes. This is significant as potholes have become a sore point for constituents and this places the power in their hands. They report, and if the report can be verified by multiple reports the department knows where to send and spend its resources. The data is then fed into a larger network that can track and manage potholes in the Gauteng region.
Potholes can now be digitally logged by Gauteng citizens. Photo: Lebogang Tlou
A distinct advantage of digitised activity is that planning can be done to minute details, the CSIR makes use of digital twins. A digital twin is a virtual representation of an object or system designed to reflect a physical object accurately. It spans the object’s lifecycle, is updated from real-time data and uses simulation, machine learning and reasoning to help make decisions. This means entire projects can be checked for success before being rolled out and existing systems can be replicated digitally to problem solve. “The CSIR thrives on collaboration and we collaborate with governmental departments and the private sector to ensure a multitude of approaches and projects are realised.” One such frequent collaborator is SANRAL which has their own research panels but will often enlist the CSIR on specific projects. Not limited to smart mobility they have nine clusters: advanced agriculture and food, future production: chemicals, nextgen health, future production: manufacturing, future production: mining, defence and security, nextgen enterprises and institutions, smart mobility, and smart places. “Data is all around us, many entities collect it but we need to manage, organise, and analyse it properly if we want to actually reap the rewards of the digital age,” says Imraan Rahim. Reatile Pitso adds that “data should be treated with respect, used wisely, and stored safely.”
