City Of Cape Town’s Smart Speed Signs An Effective Speed Calming Tool

The City of Cape Town’s Urban Mobility Directorate continues to install Smart Speed Signs (SSS) on request from wards across Cape Town. The City has noticed a 25% reduction in vehicles that exceed the speed limit at some of the locations where these signs have been installed. There are currently 10 smart speed signs in Cape Town and another four are in the planning process. The City’s Transport Network Technology team implements the roll-out of these signs on request from wards who fund these. 

The smart speed signs detect the speed of a vehicle and then displays the measured speed on a variable message sign next to the road, where it is visible to the drivers.

‘These signs have proven to be an effective speed calming tool since the installation of the initial signs, some three years ago. We are encouraged by the effectiveness thus far and know that our Transport Network Technology branch is always looking at ways to add to the functionality of these signs. If residents would like to motivate for a sign at a specific location, they are welcome to approach their Ward Councillor for further consideration,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

The City has thus far rolled out 10 smart speed signs at the following locations:

• 109 High Level Road
• 109 Ocean View drive
• 291 High Level Road
• 27 High Level Road
• 43 Ocean View Drive
• Jip De Jager near Eksteen
• Jip de Jager near Mara
• Main near Clyde
• Beach near Surrey
• Victoria near Maidens cove

The most recent signs were installed along Jip de Jager in November 2025 and in Ward 115 and Ward 54 in January 2026.

Eash SSS is connected to one central server. Data is collected and stored of all vehicles recorded by the SSS. Once a new sign is installed, the display is left in an off state for the first two weeks. This enables the City to have data from the time before the sign was in operation. Thereafter the display is switched on (for approximately two weeks) and another data sample is taken.

‘We have definitely noticed a drop in the number of vehicles exceeding the speed limit once the displays were switched on. We have also noticed, by monitoring the brake lights of cars, how the cars brake when they actually see the speed at which they are travelling where the ‘slow down’ message is displayed. I urge drivers to please pay close attention to the speeds they are driving at and adhere to the speed limit on our roads,’ said Councillor Quintas.

The design of the SSS has earned the City’s Transport Planning and Network Management department an innovation award and this is one of the many technologies the City’s Urban Mobility Directorate has designed and installed over the last few years.