China has developed its Beidou satellite monitoring system for
toxic chemicals transportation, the Beijing Times reported
in Beijing on Monday.
The system, which has passed review by a panel of experts,
provides continuous data concerning toxic chemical transportation
to the Beidou navigation satellite and gives corresponding
operational orders, the paper reported.
Scores of sensors, equipped on every vehicle transporting
dangerous chemicals, collect data and information regarding the
vehicle as well as road conditions.
All the information is stored in a black box and transmitted to
the satellite instantly. Corresponding operational signals are sent
to the land control center.
For example, when the traffic accident occurs with a transport
vehicle, the land control center can notify the police to provide
immediate assistance after receiving orders from the satellite.
"The whole process, from the accident that occurs to the
information received by the land control center, only takes 0.01
second. This is much more advanced and less time-consuming than the
monitoring system using traditional GPS," the director of the
system's research and development center was quoted by the paper as
saying.
The system can even monitor whether the drivers have alcohol in
their systems, the paper reported. Censors installed in the driving
cab can detect alcohol level.
"If they are beyond the legal limit, the control center will cut
off the petrol-supply to avoid drunk driving," the director
added.
China sent its fourth Beidou navigation satellite into space on
Feb. 3 of this year. It provides round the clock weather,
navigation and positioning information.
To date, China has successfully launched four navigation
satellites into space. Three previous satellites were launched in
2000 and 2003.
(Xinhua News Agency August 13, 2007)