Successful implementation of radar monitoring system and increased intelligence capacity on Congo River

Abstract

Inland water ways are significant component of the nation's marine transportation systems. Congo River Basin plays an active role in the economy of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other surrounding countries such as Central Africa Republic (CAR) and Congo Republic (RC). This inter-countries waterway carries approximately two third of the national's cargo volume to and fro hinterland. Up till now there is little or no regulation on the management of marine traffic on this important inland waterway. The problem of traffic management on Congo River is becoming an increasing threat to the transportation of goods by the ships, barges and safety of passenger lives. Marine radar systems has been deemed as possible solution that will monitor and track traffic situation on this important inland water way. A radar system provides a surveillance system that increases intelligent capacity of what transpires on this great waterway. It also provides real-time information and stored captured radar images which will be applied to solve traffic problems. To investigate this, radar simulation model will be setup to depict the traffic flow and the consequences of the presence or absence of surveillance radar. The goal of this research is to improve traffic coordination, safety, management and improve intelligent capability with the use of Marine Radar monitoring system to control and alleviate traffic management bottleneck experienced on Congo River. It will further demonstrate economic efficiency of the radar surveillance system on Congo River Basin. The proposed traffic model which will be based upon research findings will describe in details the operational approach of alleviating traffic management problem on Congo River Basin.