THE management of the Demerara Harbour Briidge Corporation (DHBC) deserves full commendation for the excellent move to install Close Circuit Television cameras to monitor the operations on the bridge as well as to help expedite traffic across the bridge as the present vehicular ticketing system will be abolished.
Aware of the need to network vital agencies such as the police to aid national security, Manager of DHBC, Mr Rawlston Adams said the camera through a VON network will also be directly linked to the operations of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
With the aid of the cameras all activities and operations at the Bridge will be screened and this includes the purchase of ticket for vehicles as they traverse the facility.
“With this system  it allows us to view everything that goes on at the Bridge… the vehicle when a motorist approaches to purchase a ticket, the colour of the vehicle ,the number plate,  everything,” Adams said.
He added that the cameras will also be outfitted with PTZ (Pan, Tilt and Zoom) to enable coverage of the entire compound.
On a daily basis 7,000 vehicles commute across one side of the 1,851m (6,074 feet) long floating facility and with respect to the link with the police operations, Adams said: “This is far more than traffic, this involves security of a national issue… The Bridge is the gateway from Region Four to Regions Two, Three and Seven and as much as our new system will enable us to offer the public a more efficient service, it also serves the purpose of national security where the police would be able to monitor the cameras in the event of any incident using info given to them.”
Touching on other improvements to make day to day operations more efficient and commuter friendly, the General Manager said persons can at any time of the day, by use a land-line telephone or cellular phone dial 233-7008, Extension 121 to access information on the retraction schedule (closure) of the facility.
The postings available are for an entire week, and Adams assured that in the event of any changes, the public will be immediately notified via radio and television.
For this year, the DHBC has been allocated $705M in the national budget to undertake capital work.
Mr. Adams has said it all and indeed he has his fingers on the correct buttons-making the bridge more user friendly and a link to the police in the interest of national security are definitely key issues.
And it is most welcome that the management of the DHBC has embraced technology in its quest to provide a more efficient and comfortable service to the public because in today’s development it is increasingly becoming technology driven. Those who do not utilise technology and or do not adapt to it will certainly be left chasing the flock.
Zanetta Doyle in an article: ‘Technology Advances Economic Development” notes: “Technology has impacted the world dramatically to the point where one can do everything from home including shopping and paying bills. Technology and the capabilities provided through the Internet have also played a role in economic development, offering services and providing data to local businesses and governments.”
“Technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS), allow regional development organisations to assist in economic development activities in the communities they serve. According to NADO’s 2002 Regional Development Organization Survey, 76 percent of regional development organizations use GIS/GPS. Approximately 60 percent use GIS/GPS technology for economic development, transportation and land use planning.”
So technology undoubtedly is playing a greater role in our lives and the developmental process and its application to making the operations of the DHB more efficient undoubtedly is one of the more progressive initiatives,
This also shows that the DHBC management is proactive rather than reactive and therefore is looking ahead and au fait with what is happening in the world of technology.
The management of other entities should emulate the initiative at DHBC because sadly at many of them the outmoded reactive management style still exists, which only serves as a hindrance to progress and development.
Management of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation is moving to implement new systems at the facility that would enable them to better manage traffic on the facility.
To this end and within two weeks, an almost  32-year-old practice currently being employed, the surrendering of tickets by motorists at the western end of the facility, will be eliminated.
In a exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Manager of  DHBC, Mr Rawlston Adams yesterday disclosed that Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras are being installed at the facility and will aid the process, as well as allowfor better security management.
And, aware of the need for vital agencies to network with this country’s law enforcement to aid National Security,  Adams said the camera through a VON network will also be directly linked to the operations of the Guyana Police For ce (GPF).
With the aid of the cameras, a demonstration of which the Chronicle was privy, all activities and operations at the Bridge are screened, and this includes the purchase of ticket, vehicles as they traverse the facility.
“With this system  it allows us to view everything that goes on at the Bridge… the vehicle when a motorist approaches to purchase a ticket, the colour of the vehicle ,the number plate,  everything,” said Adams.
He added that the cameras will also be outfitted with PTZ( Pan, Tilt and Zoom) to enable coverage of the entire compound.
On a daily basis 7000 vehicles commute across one side of the 6,074-foot (1,851 m) long floating facility and in explaining the link with the police operations,  Adams said “ This( here) is far more than traffic , this involves security of a national issue… The Bridge is the gateway from Region Four to Regions Two, Three and Seven  and as much as our new system will enable us to better  offer the public a more efficient service, it also serves the purpose of national security where the police would be able to monitor the cameras in the event of any incident using info given to them.”
Touching on other improvements to make day to day operations more efficient and commuter friendly , the General Manager said persons can at any time of the day, by use a land-line telephone or cellular phone dial 233-7008, Extension 121 to access information on the retraction schedule (closure) of the facility.
The postings available are for an entire week, and Adams assured that in the event of any changes, the public will be immediately notified via radio and television.
For 2010 this year, the DHBC has been allocated $705M in the National Budget to undertake Capital Works .
Of this amount, Adams said $622M has already been expended to procure decks, transoms, bouys, distribution beams and for the rehabilitations of pontoons in the continuous rehabilitation programme earmarked for the facility.
To date, 80 per cent of the transoms, the full complement of buoys and 90 per cent of the distribution beams have already been replaced.
Also, he said, Courtney Benn Contracting Services has commenced rehabilitation works on decks and pontoons.
The contractor is fabricating another 1300 decks which will represent the third tranch in receipt of decks from the firm.
The facility has in excess of 8000 decks  and the firm had previous handed over completed products in  2008 and 2009.
Meanwhile, transit scales which have been positioned at both the east and west approaches to monitor overweight vehicles are operable,   Adams said.