Navigating Honiara traffic congestion with planned transformation
A light hearted look at the situation.
Often when stuck in traffic hold-ups in Bangkok I often think of similar conditions in Honiara and imagine vehicle users there would wish to transport themselves more quickly and easily during their daily commute.
Perhaps the day might come when one could whisk around in a personal drone. I expect not in my lifetime but the reality is technology is advancing fast and already several passenger carrying drones have made the news.
Quoting ‘Engineers Australia’ I read, quote.
“A drone big enough to carry a human passenger is now reality, with China-based manufacturer Ehang displaying a 200 kg drone capable of the feat at the CES technology trade show in Las Vegas.
“A scaled up version of the remote controlled drones common today, the Ehang 184 Autonomous Aerial Vehicle utilises the standard quadcopter design, with a cabin that seats one person. A Microsoft Surface tablet/computer acts as its console.
“The craft itself is made of a composite material developed and manufactured in-house, consisting of carbon fibre, epoxy, and aerospace grade aluminium alloy.
“Entirely battery-operated, the lithium-ion battery makes up much of the weight of the drone, but provides sufficient power to fly a load of 100 kg up to 23 minutes at sea level, reaching maximum heights of 500 m, and average cruising speeds of 100 km/h.
“The Ehang 184 aerial vehicle is equipped with eight motors, with two for each of the four armatures and propellers, giving a maximum output of 106 kW.
“According to Ehang, it engineered the drone for safety, with full systems redundancy. If one set of power systems fails, the vehicle is still able to operate a normal flight plan to ensure the safety of the passenger. If the drone detects componentry malfunctioning or disconnecting, it will automatically land in the nearest possible area. To prevent the remote signal from being hijacked, communications is encrypted, with each unit having its own independent key.
“For all intents the purposes, the Ehang 184 remains a remotely operated drone, with the passenger inside having no direct control over its route. Rather, the drone is pre-programmed to fly to specific destinations.
“However, Ehang says the passenger can temporarily take over the aircraft in case of an emergency, in order to land the drone.”
So much for wishful thinking and back to the reality of the Honiara traffic situation.
Ben Bilua writing in the Island Sun newspaper today, Friday, said, quote.
“The Road Transport Board is planning to carry out a major transformation to the transport system within Honiara city.
“In an interview with this paper yesterday, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Chair of the Road Transport Board Mr. Stephen Maesiola said the Road Transport Board already met twice this year and had mapped out its plans.
“He said first on the list is to carry out public awareness on commuters and also bus drivers as well as owners.
Maesiola said the purpose of the awareness is to let the public and transport operators know the roles and responsibilities of the Road Transport Board.
“We are looking at reviewing the existing transport system in Honiara to a better system. Among our plans are to install traffic signs and designated bus stop.
“It will be a huge undertaking and that we need to inform the public, bus owners and drivers about what they expect when we enforce our operation,” he explained.
“Maesiola said the awareness programme will probably kick off early next year depending on the availability of funds.
“When asked about the issue of short bus route, he said the issue of short bus route is one of the priorities that the board will address when enforcement of operations roll out.
“Maesiola said there will be penalties designated for breaching traffic rules and regulations endorsed by the Board.
“We came up with lots of ideas to address the short bus routine plus other traffic offences.
“Some of the idea is that, there will be designated time for each bus to stop at certain bus stops and buses must take the designated routine legally recognised by law.
“Driver’s will see their licence striped, buses will be restricted to operate for certain months etc,” he said.
“The RTB is the legal body that legally mandated by the Traffic Amendment Act 2009. The Board is responsible to administer and better enforcement of traffic laws.
“The power given to the Board include on-the-spot fines, appointment of enforcement officers and undertaking of prosecutions in the Magistrates’ Courts by officers of the Board for minor offences.
“The functions of the Board as stipulated under the Traffic Amendment Act 2009 are (a) To formulate, implement, monitor and review policies in relation to road transport, in conjunction with the functions of the Ministry to formulate nation transport policy; (b) To coordinate the implementation, administration and enforcement of this Act; (c) To prepare and submit quarterly reports to the Minister on the implementation, administration and enforcement of this Act; (d) To submit to the Minister any information in relation to this Act, if so required by the Minister; and (e) Other functions given to it under this Act or any other written law.”
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
