Roads4U app introduces new features to improve road fault reporting

NATIONAL NEWS - The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure (DOI) has introduced three new features to its Roads4U mobile road fault-reporting app, aimed at improving communication with road users, strengthening service delivery and speeding up response times.

The updates, rolled out during September and October, include real-time road alerts and closure information, a quicker way to photograph road defects and direct integration with the City of Cape Town’s (CoCT) service system.

Provincial Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers said the improvements would strengthen communication with road users and highlight the importance of partnerships with municipalities in accelerating service delivery.

“We’ve rolled out several updates to make reporting road defects faster and keep you informed across the Western Cape,” said Simmers.

“Direct integration with the City of Cape Town’s (CoCT) service system will help ensure that the Roads4U app remains a single reporting hub for all public roads in the province.”

What’s new on Roads4U?

The three new features are:

Real-time broadcasts and road closures: Users can receive provincial alerts and view verified road closures through the official Road Closure Map, accessible via a link in the app’s feed section.
Quick camera launch: Road users can photograph a road defect immediately and save the image as a draft or submit it through Roads4U once they are in a safe location.
Direct City of Cape Town integration: Defects reported on City roads are now routed directly into the municipality’s service system. Users receive a CoCT tracking reference number and contact details for the relevant authority.

The app also automatically routes enquiries about roads managed by the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) and municipalities to the responsible authority via email. Follow-up contact details are available directly in the app.

Images: Supplied

More than 13 300 downloads

Since its launch in March, Roads4U has been downloaded more than 13 300 times and has processed 4 102 reports.

Of these, 2 683 related to municipal roads, while 1 419 concerned roads managed by the Western Cape provincial government.

The app allows members of the public to report infrastructure defects, including damaged road surfaces, faulty traffic signals and faded road signs.

Through real-time information and public participation, the department aims to improve the province’s road network and make it easier for residents to report problems to the authorities responsible for addressing them.

For more information, visit the Western Cape Government’s Roads4U webpage.

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