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Improving security in the transport of explosives by road using geolocation technology
J. Góis. LEDAP, ADAI, DEM, University of Coimbra, Portugal
D. Antunes. MAXAMPOR SA, Portugal
P. Barbas. SEC, SA, Portugal
M. Memeteau & R. Lafiton. ComUT, Portugal
INTRODUCTION
Terrorists have used trucks filled with explosives in some of the worst terrorist attacks in history. Recently in Mumbai India on 14th July a terrorist attack killed more than one hundred people, hurt hundreds of others and destroyed a federal building. The contribution of the Portuguese explosives sector to increase security in land transport started during the 2nd EU Conference on Enhancing the Security of Explosives that was held in Braga, Portugal, on 16-17 July 1997. Pushed by the discussion on Enhancing the Security of Explosives, during the period of time of the Portuguese Presidency of the EU, the Portuguese Minister of National Affairs decided to support this pilot project, entitled SIGESTE (Security System and Explosives Transport Management), issuing the Ministerial dispatch number.
In 2008, responding to a European challenge on improving security in the explosives supply chain, a pilot project based on Global Positioning Systems was initiated to evaluate the performance and reliability of this technology. GPS completed by sensors, allow real-time tracking by the police and the alarm algorithm provides a complementary control of any anomaly. This new technology allows with relative moderate cost to enlarge and increase the security of transport of explosives below 500kg. This paper describes the several tests of feasibility of this technology and the development carried out to achieve a reliable system able to reduce the risk of cargo theft and terrorist attacks.
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