BRTA (Bangladesh Road Transport Authority) has entered into a new era as retro-reflective number plate (Digital Number Plate) with radio frequency identification (RFID) tag for the automobiles was introduced on 31-10-2012 with an aim to bring discipline and improve services in the sector.
Question: What is Retro-Reflective Number Plate?
Answer: Retro reflectivity is the proper term given to materials having the ability to return (retro) most of the light back to its originating light source. MANY ITEMS ARE REFLECTIVE; metal foil, a white T-shirt, even a darker colors. BUT, the light reflecting off them (the light that’s not absorbed by the color itself) is scattered in many directions, because they DO NOT POSSESS the ability to refocus the light hitting them back to the light source.
SO, WHILE THEY MAY BE REFLECTIVE THEY ARE NOT RETROREFLECTIVE.
Q: What is the Benefit of this Digital Number Plate in Bangladesh?
Ans: This digital number plate of BD will help identify a vehicle even if it flees the scene after an accident. Also, it will help detect the use of fake number plates on vehicles and the use of the same number on different vehicles.
Q: What is the cost of new digital number plate of Car in Bangladesh?
Ans: Around 3600 Taka
According to official sources, the Army-run BMTF will build, operate and maintain the RFID system on build-own-operate (BOO) basis for the next 15 years. For the first five years, the BRTA will pay nearly Taka 600 crore to the BMTF.
Mechanism of Retro Reflection:
Question: What is radiofrequency identification or RFID?
Answer:
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is the use of a wireless non-contact system that uses radio-frequency electromagnetic fields to transfer data from a tag attached to an object, for the purposes of automatic identification and tracking. Some tags require no battery and are powered by the electromagnetic fields used to read them. Others use a local power source and emit radio waves (electromagnetic radiation at radio frequencies). The tag contains electronically stored information which can be read from up to several meters (yards) away. Unlike a bar code, the tag does not need to be within line of sight of the reader and may be embedded in the tracked object.
RFID chip next to a grain of rice. This chip contains a radio-frequency electromagnetic field coil that modulates an external magnetic field to transfer a coded identification number when queried by a reader device. This small type is incorporated in consumer products, and even implanted in pets, for identification.
Question: What will be the cost to get the new number plate for cars which called Retro-Reflective Number Plate with RFID?
Answer: Maximum 3600 Taka.
“The digital system has been introduced to ensure facilities for all including automobile owners, drivers, controllers and the law enforcers. I hope that it would enhance services in the transport sector,”
Sheikh Hasina also expressed the hope that the system would ensure transparency and accountability of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) side by side with raising its capability and efficiency.
With the introduction of new system, she said, owners of the automobiles and passengers would be freed from hassle. “It would help know a person owns how many vehicles,” she said thanking Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory (BMTF) for its cooperation to launch the system.
The Prime Minister also called upon the countrymen not to beat up drivers and not ransack or torch vehicles after any road accident. “Don’t take law in own hands, you should first provide help to the accident victims,” she said.
She also urged the people to abide by traffic rules and directed the communication ministry and home ministry to create mass awareness about the traffic rules.
In this connection, she stressed the need for educating the school students first about the traffic rules.
Mentioning road as the main medium of the communication in the country as most of the passengers and goods are transported through the road, the Prime Minister said her government made massive development in the communication sector.
“We have constructed new bridges and increased lanes on the highways. We have ensured expansion of communication system along with economic uplift by improving rail and shipping communication system,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said her government has given a special emphasis on building a safe transportation system. To this end, she said, an accident resource center has been set up in Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).
She also said 25,000 drivers get training every year from 17 institutes of Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC), while 77 driver training institutes have been given approval for increasing training facilities.
“Initiatives have also been taken to construct more training institutes and stop plying unfit and unregistered vehicles, while BRTA office has been opened in every district,” she said, adding as a result, the number of accidents decreased to a great extent.
Referring to the present government’s commitment to build Digital Bangladesh by 2021, Sheikh Hasina said as part of the pledge, the government has given scope for paying motor vehicle tax and fee through online banking. “We have already introduced various e- services including e-governance, e-commerce, e-health, e-education and e-banking,” she added.
The Prime Minister said all utility services including gas, electricity, water and telecommunication have been digitized and the services are being expanded every day by reducing public sufferings.
“To keep pace with changing world, we are striving hard to make easy the lifestyle of the people through introducing modern technologies,” she said.
Later, Sheikh Hasina inaugurated activities of retro- reflective number plate with radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag and digital registration certificate by handing over a digital number plate to the BRTA chairman.
Communications Minister Obaidul Quader, Chief of Army Staff and BMTF Chairman General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, Acting Secretary of the Road Division MAN Siddique, BRTA Chairman Ayubur Rahman Khan and BMTF Managing Director Brig Gen Saifur Rahman also spoke at the function.
According to official sources, the Army-run BMTF will build, operate and maintain the RFID system on build-own-operate (BOO) basis for the next 15 years. For the first five years, the BRTA will pay nearly Taka 600 crore to the BMTF.
Under the system, the sources said, each vehicle will have mandatory special kind of number plate containing its registration number that will be visible in both day and night time. The motor vehicle will also have radiofrequency system for easy tracking by the law enforcement agencies.
This (digital number plate) will help identify a vehicle even if it flees the scene after an accident. Also, it will help detect the use of fake number plates on vehicles and the use of the same number on different vehicles, the sources added.
