The City’s advanced specialist pole manipulator trucks are equipped with advanced technologies designed to streamline streetlight replacements and repairs across the metro. Cape Town Metro is the first to operate trucks of this kind. Read more below:
The City maintains more than 245 000 streetlights across the metro, while other national and provincial agencies maintain some national and provincial routes including the on and off-ramps of those roadways. In the new financial year, the City will be making a substantial investment of over R63 million into its fleet of aerial platform trucks, crane trucks as well as light motor vehicles. The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Alderman Xanthea Limberg, and senior Energy officials visited Bofors Circle Road in Epping to view the advanced pole manipulator truck capabilities.
‘The City’s pole manipulator trucks are equipped with advanced features specifically for streetlight installation and maintenance. During our visit, our teams replaced an 11-metre streetlight, which was damaged in an accident. A portion of the streetlight network along Bofors Circle Road in Epping was also affected. Once the new streetlight was installed, our teams could reenergise the streetlight network along this affected stretch of road.
‘As the first municipality to operate a truck of its kind, the City’s state-of-the-art 26-tonne truck is fitted with a powerful crane, an advanced aerial platform and a number of motorised accessories, enhancing our teams ability to effectively respond to specialised tasks. In addition, the versatility and cutting-edge technology of the pole manipulator truck, dramatically reduces streetlight installation and maintenance times, often by more than 50%, boosting efficiency and service delivery turnaround times. The truck is also able to pick up, rotate and place heavy loads up to 4,5 tonnes and when fully extended, the crane is able to lift approximately 500 kilograms.
‘The advanced safety features of the pole manipulator truck are as impressive as its technical capabilities. The ability to block electronic interference, ensuring swift and secure operations and the ability to perform multiple tasks with more than one crew, including by remote control, significantly enhances personnel safety by limiting exposure to potentially hazardous situations. This remarkable vehicle combines technological advancements and unmatched safety features to improve service delivery for all Capetonians and underscores the City’s commitment to doing more.
‘The City currently makes use of three pole manipulator trucks for specialised operations and in the new financial year, the Energy Directorate will be making a substantial investment of over R63 million into our fleet. The City remains committed to service delivery in all areas and continues to invest in the necessary resources to ensure efficient and reliable service delivery for all,’ said Alderman Limberg.
Pole manipulator trucks are crucial for:
• Improved response times and enhanced service delivery: specialised pole manipulator trucks assist teams with a large number of streetlight replacements across the city and can assist by reducing pole replacement turnaround times by up to 50%.
• Personnel Safety: the technologically advanced safety features of the pole manipulator, including remote controlling of a number of its functions, enhances personnel safety by limiting exposure to potentially hazardous situations.
Cost effectiveness: by reducing downtime, pole manipulator trucks contribute to long term cost savings for the City.
• Community wellbeing: a well-maintained streetlight network contributes to a safer environment for all.
Report to the City
Residents can log streetlight and other electricity faults online via the City’s service request platform, by dialling in our call centre, sending an SMS or via the City’s new dedicated electricity faults WhatsApp line on 060 018 1505.
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Report suspicious behaviour to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre: 021 480 7700
