Status quo

The ISF traffic squads have 15 in-car radars, 5 fixed radars deployed along the streets and another 15 placed in the ISF depot and waiting for installation. The activation of the stored radars cost as much as USD 700 000, not to mention that such devices are often subject to frequent acts of vandalism, which entails a protection process and thus yet another additional cost. Naturally, the limited number of radars (20), whether static or mobile, fails to monitor all Lebanon’s roads and highways efficiently.

Solution

Studies show that Lebanon needs 60 radars to have a productive speed detection system, which necessitates the purchasing of 40 additional radars. The committee in charge deemed it wise to buy the new radars from the same company, which provided the first batch, arguing that it is the most reputed worldwide with a control over around 70% of the Middle Eastern and African markets, not to mention that it develops and manufactures its own equipment and software. The company also has programs for processing, protection and archiving and in addition issues automated systematic reports.

In other words, there will be no launching of a tender. Rather, a no-bid contract will be awarded to only one party, which translates into bigger costs. The plan entails the replacement of the 15 fixed radars and the 15 stored ones with in-car radars. Some argue that the prices of the fixed radars are higher than those installed in cars, but the former remain the most demanded worldwide as their overall operation costs remain lower. In Lebanon, however, there hasn’t been any consideration to the cost of the workforce handling the radars or the car operation and maintenance expenses. Rather, the studies made were fixated on highlighting the exorbitant cost of installing and operating static radars. The price of the 25 in-car radars amounted to LBP 2 billion, i.e. LBP 80 million per radar. A committee agreed to the purchasing and installation of fixed radars, as they were considered the best and less expensive. The glaring paradox, however, is that a second committee, which included members of its predecessor, protested about the high cost of the fixed radars and demanded their replacement by new in-car radars. This conflict requires the formation of a third committee to assess the propriety of each of the two suggestions, and have its final say on the matter.