China's Beidou system tracks dangerous loads

Above: Chinese officials claim the Beidou system provides faster alerts than GPS-based systems

China has developed its Beidou satellite monitoring system for dangerous chemicals transportation. The system provides 24-hour monitoring of the transport of dangerous chemicals via the Beidou navigation satellite system.

Each vehicle is equipped with scores of sensors, which collect a range of data about the vehicle and road conditions. All the information is stored in a black box and transmitted to the satellite at regular intervals, for relay to the land control centre.

The system enables the land control center to summon assistance quickly to a stricken vehicle in case of an accident. “The whole process, from when the accident occurs to when the information reaches the land control center, only takes 0.01 second, which is much more advanced and less time-consuming than the monitoring system assisted by traditional GPS,” says a Beidou spokesman

The system can even monitor whether the driver has drunk some alcohol, the paper reported, saying sensors installed in the driving cab can detect alcohol level. “If it’s beyond the limit, the control center will cut off the fuel-supply to prevent drunk driving,” he adds.

China launched its fourth Beidou navigation satellite on 3 February this year to provide all-weather and all-day navigation and positioning information.

12 November 2007