AFRICA

South Africa Working Together to Improve the Fleet


The Johannesburg Automechanika event on 19 November 2024 provided an excellent opportunity for test station operators to engage with authorities on a wide range of topics, ensuring the effectiveness of roadworthiness inspections and test station operations. The Vehicle Testing Association (VTA) Imbizo (a Zulu word meaning "gathering of people") took place alongside the events and exhibitions of Automechanika.

CITA contributed to the event through Chantal Abou Jaoude from Maha, who presented on Best Practice Recommendations from Africa and the Middle East, showcasing current developments in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Eduard Fernandez, Executive Director of CITA, introduced the organization, highlighting its extensive constituency, significant body of work, and active task teams.

In South Africa, the regulatory framework governing test station operations and roadworthiness processes operates on three levels. The National Department of Transport is responsible for policy and regulatory matters, while the individual Provincial Mobility/Transport Departments oversee the registration and supervision of operators within their provinces. Additionally, the Minister of Transport has appointed an Inspectorate of Testing Stations, which resides within the Certification division of the South African Bureau of Standards.

All roadworthy inspection results are recorded in the NATIS (National Traffic Information System)—a centralized, government-owned database of vehicles, vehicle owners, and drivers. The system is managed by the lead agency for road safety in the country, the RTMC (Road Traffic Management Corporation).

South Africa has over 500 test stations, the majority of which are privately operated. These private stations have organized themselves into various industry bodies, with the largest being the VTA (Vehicle Testing Association), part of the RMI (Retail Motor Industry). The RMI represents 8,700 motor-related businesses serving the aftermarket sector, including vehicle testing stations. Ferose Oaten, a board member of CITA and Chairperson for CITA RAG Africa, also serves as the National Chairperson of the VTA in South Africa.

At the Automechanika VTA Imbizo, all the aforementioned authorities presented on various topics. These included the digitization of inspection reports, the integration of multiple databases with the NATIS system, trends of non-compliance within the industry, local provincial issues, proposed policy changes to include alternately powered vehicles, and other relevant topics.

Regarding legislative requirements for roadworthiness tests, private vehicles are only required to be inspected upon a change of ownership. Heavy goods vehicles and taxis must undergo annual inspections, while buses are required to have roadworthiness inspections every six months. South Africa currently has 13.9 million vehicles, of which only 21% of the fleet are required to undergo roadworthy inspections under the current regulations. In 2014, the Minister of Transport published legislation to implement periodic technical inspections for vehicles older than 10 years every two years. However, this provision, although published, will only be implemented “at a date determined by the Minister.”


CITA RAG Africa Conference 2024


The CITA RAG Africa Conference 2024, held on October 22-23 in Nairobi - Kenya, brought together key stakeholders to discuss strategies for improving the African vehicle fleet. Organized by CITA in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the event focused on road safety, sustainability, and reducing vehicle emissions.

Day 1: Shaping the Future of African Mobility
The conference opened with remarks from CITA President Gerhard Müller, UNEP’s Sheila Aggarwal-Khan, and Kenyan officials. A roundtable discussion explored PTI models for Africa, featuring experts like CITA’s Technical Vice President Pascal Buekenhoudt and IWG’s Dries van Tonder. The panel emphasized the need for tailored solutions that align with Africa's unique vehicle market.

Institutional representatives from UNEP, UNECA, and UNECE shared global perspectives on sustainable mobility, while African speakers, including Kenya’s NTSA Deputy Director Joel Akomo, discussed local challenges. Key sessions highlighted road safety in Uganda and vehicle inspection systems in Egypt and Sierra Leone.

Day 2: Focus on Emissions and Regional Solutions
The second day featured case studies on vehicle emissions testing from Kampala and Delhi. Presenters Kharim Kibuuka and Anirudh Narla shared insights into how targeted policies can address emissions challenges. A panel on harmonizing vehicle standards across Africa followed, with discussions led by regional representatives from the East African Community and Northern Corridor.

Country-specific measures to improve vehicle fleets were shared by representatives from Rwanda, Ghana, and Kenya. Private sector involvement was highlighted in presentations by Isuzu East Africa and Maridady Motors, underscoring the importance of collaboration between governments and businesses.

A Path Forward for African Mobility
The CITA RAG Africa Conference 2024 successfully brought together diverse perspectives to drive improvements in African transportation. As participants concluded with a visit to the NTSA Likoni Road Inspection Centre, the collective commitment to a safer, cleaner vehicle fleet across the continent was clear, setting the stage for continued progress.


CITA hosted a Benin Delegation for Training on PTI and EVs


On 12 September 2024, CITA welcomed a delegation of six senior officials from Benin's Ministry of Transport, accompanied by two experts, to its Brussels facility for training on Periodic Technical Inspections (PTI) and future hybrid/electric vehicle inspections.

Led by Mr. Olivier Pletinckx, CITA's Technical Manager, the training focused on the evolving challenges of inspecting electric vehicles and ensuring their roadworthiness. The delegation is currently pursuing a Master II in Road Safety (DUSRA) at Université Gustave Eiffel in Aix-Marseille, France, and this program extended their academic learning with practical insights into modern vehicle inspection protocols.

This initiative underscores Benin's commitment to improving road safety and adapting to new vehicle technologies, while highlighting CITA’s role in fostering international collaboration and knowledge sharing in the transport sector.

Evaluating the Impact of PTI on Road Safety and Economy in Turkey (1990-2022)


The Institute for Economic Research and Consulting GmbH recently published a detailed study evaluating the efficacy of Periodic Technical Inspections (PTI) on road safety and economic outcomes in Turkey, covering data from 1990 to 2022. This comprehensive analysis, spearheaded by Prof. Dr. Wolfgang H. Schulz and his team, delves into the multifaceted impacts of PTIs, employing robust datasets and econometric models to provide insightful conclusions.

Aim and Scope / The primary objective of the study is to ascertain the effectiveness of PTIs in enhancing road safety and mitigating economic losses associated with traffic accidents in Turkey. By leveraging extensive datasets and various analytical methods, the study offers a thorough examination of how periodic vehicle inspections contribute to reducing road accidents and improving economic outcomes.

Methodology / The study employs four distinct methods to evaluate the impact of PTIs:

  • Literature Analysis: A comprehensive review of existing research on the relationship between vehicle inspections and road safety.
  • Visual Analysis: Examination of trend developments over time to identify any significant changes.
  • Autoregressive Processes: Analysis to detect patterns and shifts in the data.
  • Chow Test: Statistical verification of structural breaks in the dataset, particularly around significant policy changes such as the introduction of PTIs in 2008.

Key Findings / The study's literature analysis reveals a generally positive correlation between PTIs and improved road safety. Significant reductions in accidents and fatalities have been observed in regions implementing stringent vehicle inspection regimes. Notably, the analysis of PTI implementation in Turkey indicates a structural break in 2008, suggesting that the introduction of PTIs significantly altered the trajectory of road safety metrics. On average, the share of deaths related to fatal accidents is 0.03766. With this, 5,033 deaths could be avoided. The share of injuries per fatal accident is, on average, 1.6429, which means that 219,498 injuries could be avoided.

Trend Analysis / From 1990 to 2022, the dataset provides a comprehensive overview of road traffic accidents, fatalities, and injuries in Turkey. The analysis indicates a marked reduction in fatalities and injuries post-2008, despite an initial increase in the number of accidents. This paradoxical trend underscores the efficacy of PTIs in mitigating the severity of accidents.

Economic Impact / The economic analysis within the study highlights significant cost savings attributed to the implementation of PTIs. The average annual savings amount to approximately 1.5 billion TL, with total savings from 2008 to 2022 estimated at 22.48 billion TL. These savings underscore the economic viability of PTIs, reinforcing their role in reducing the financial burden of road accidents on society.

Regression Analysis and Chow Test / The regression models demonstrate strong relationships between the implementation of PTIs and improvements in traffic safety. The Chow test confirms the presence of a structural break in 2008, validating the significant impact of PTIs on road safety metrics in Turkey.

Conclusions and Recommendations / The study concludes that PTIs have been highly effective in improving road safety and delivering substantial economic benefits in Turkey.

Key recommendations include:

  • Enhanced PTI Frequency and Coverage: Increasing the frequency and coverage of PTIs to capture and mitigate vehicle deficiencies more effectively.
  • Integration with Other Safety Measures: Incorporating PTIs into a broader road safety strategy that includes driver education, infrastructure improvements, and stricter enforcement of traffic laws.
  • Longitudinal Studies: Conducting further research to track the long-term effects of PTIs on road safety and economic factors.
  • Comparative Analysis: Benchmarking Türkiye's PTI practices against other countries with similar traffic conditions to refine and improve inspection protocols.
  • Policy Adaptation: Updating PTI criteria and techniques to address new safety challenges and technological advancements in automotive design.

Future Implications / The success of the PTI program in Turkey suggests its continued importance in maintaining and enhancing road safety. Ongoing adaptation and integration with other safety measures will be crucial in sustaining and building on the improvements achieved thus far.


For more detailed information, the full study can be downloaded here.

Evaluation of African Road Safety Action Plan Shows Mixed Results


CITA has published new findings from a comprehensive study evaluating the African Road Safety Action Plan, developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). The study, conducted by researchers Dominique Mignot, Laurent Carnis, Eduard Fernandez, Davide-Shingo Usami, and Ruth Welsh, highlights the critical challenges and progress in road safety across the African continent.

The research, which aims to contribute to the improvement of road safety in Africa, reveals that despite some advancements, significant challenges remain. The mid-term evaluation of the UNECA Action Plan indicates that the expected results are not being fully realized, with progress being uneven across different pillars of road safety.

KEY FINDINGS

  • Road Safety Management: The study identifies weaknesses in road safety management, including poor institutional organization and coordination, inadequate policy implementation, and insufficient funding. Only a few countries like Burkina Faso and South Africa show relatively good performance, while many others lag behind.
  • Safer Roads and Mobility: The implementation of road safety audits and inspections is progressing slowly. Few countries have developed technical guidelines for road safety audits and inspections, which are crucial for improving road infrastructure safety.
  • Safer Vehicles: While vehicle inspection is widespread, the quality and regional spread of inspections are inconsistent. The study recommends encouraging the importation of safer vehicles through the application of standards and improving the roadworthiness of both new and used vehicles.
  • Safer Road Users: There has been some progress in promoting road safety among young people, but much work remains. The use of child restraints and education on safe road user behavior are areas needing significant improvement.
  • Post-Crash Response: The capacity for post-crash response, including emergency medical services and trauma care, is generally inadequate. The study emphasizes the need for better-equipped ambulances, improved emergency medical services, and the development of trauma care facilities.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The study proposes several recommendations to enhance road safety in Africa:

  • Strengthen the institutional framework and allocate adequate resources for road safety policies.
  • Develop consistent and systematic data collection systems to inform public policies.
  • Promote the use of child restraints through legislation and public awareness campaigns.
  • Improve the technical capacity for road safety audits and inspections.
  • Ensure the availability of quality spare parts and a network of qualified repair and maintenance workshops.
  • Enhance cooperation with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the private sector.

Eduard Fernandez, representing CITA, emphasized the importance of these recommendations, stating, "Effective implementation of these measures is crucial for saving lives and improving road safety across Africa. CITA remains committed to supporting African countries in their efforts to enhance road safety."


For more detailed information, the full research report can be accessed here.

Training Courses Highlight the Future of EVs in Africa


The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO) organized a comprehensive series of training courses aimed at fostering the development of electric vehicle (EV) technology and maintenance skills across Africa. This initiative is part of a broader effort to promote sustainable development, industrial growth, and environmental protection on the continent.

The training courses, spanning from June 4th to June 14th, covered a wide range of topics essential for the advancement of EV technology and energy storage systems (EST) in Africa. These sessions were designed to equip African governments, private sector companies, and young entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills needed to participate effectively in the global EV and EST value chain.

Among the key events was the training session held on June 13th, which featured the contributions from CITA: Entitled "Electric Vehicle Maintenance", the session was conducted by the presentations from Mr. Víctor Salvachúa and Mr. Eduard Fernández, drawing significant attention from various stakeholders involved in the EV industry.

Mr. Salvachúa, leader of the CITA Task Force on Electric Vehicles and head of CITA's Topic Area A, delivered a technical presentation that delved into the realities and challenges of managing electric vehicles from a practical, real-world perspective. His insights were crucial in highlighting the operational hurdles and maintenance issues faced by EVs, providing participants with a thorough understanding of the technical aspects that must be addressed to ensure the efficient functioning and longevity of these vehicles.

Complementing the technical insights, Mr. Fernández, the Executive Director of CITA, offered an institutional presentation. He emphasized the role of CITA in advancing global standards and best practices in vehicle inspection and maintenance, thereby supporting the region's transition towards cleaner and more efficient transportation solutions.

CITA RAG Africa conference

The CITA RAG Africa Conference 2022 took place on Wednesday and Thursday 2 - 3 NOVEMBER 2022 in South Africa.

Under the theme "Testing Vehicles of the Future", the event was kindly hosted by AVTS at the International Convention Center in Cape Town.

On the first day of the conference, the participants went for a technical visit to a Roadworthy AVTS Station, while the conference took place on the second day.