The device will allow the SCDF to track and control the movement of vehicles carrying hazardous materials ("hazmat") and prevent them from being used as terror weapons.

The "Hazmat Transport Vehicle Tracking System" was demonstrated by the SCDF at the Fire and Emergency Services Asia 2005 convention, which Ho Peng Kee, Senior Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs, officially opened here yesterday at the Suntec Convention Centre.

Smaller than a mobile phone, Astrata's tracking system is concealed in the vehicle and allows the SCDF to monitor the vehicle from the control room at its headquarters in Ubi.

The system is part of a package of new fire-safety regulations put into effect by the Singapore government on February 16 to minimize the possibility of a terrorist attack using vehicles carrying explosive materials such as petroleum and acetylene.

Under a contract awarded to Astrata (Singapore), about 500 local vehicles initially will be fitted with the miniature tracking device. Vehicles from abroad must also obtain the device from the SCDF upon entering the country.

The new regulations require more than 2,000 petro-chemical and pharmaceutical companies importing, transporting and storing large quantities of flammable materials to obtain SCDF licenses. Vehicles can travel only along 60 approved routes away from highly populated areas at specific times, to reduce the impact of any possible disaster.

If a vehicle strays from its path or makes an unregulated stop, the Hazmat Transport Vehicle Tracking System will trigger an alarm, mobilizing emergency forces. It will also alert authorities if the device has been tampered with.

Created by Astrata Group Incorporated, an international provider of innovative location-based IT services and solutions, the Hazmat system can track more than 10,000 vehicles at a time using the Global Positioning System (GPS) and the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSMC). It can also track vehicles in tunnels and underground facilities using a method that computes the location of a vehicle in areas without a GPS signal.

The core of the technology is Astrata's Geo-Location Platform (the "Astrata-GLP," known as "Sirius" outside the U.S.), the world's smallest and most technologically advanced fleet management and vehicle real-time tracking device. Astrata's state-of-the-art Rapid Deployment Unit, a derivative of the GLP, can be attached within seconds to vehicles entering Singapore.

Anthony Harrison, CEO of Astrata Group Incorporated, said, "The Singapore government is one of the world's leading nations in providing security for their citizens. Astrata's technical effort will be committed to assisting the government in maintaining this preeminent position."

Sandy Borthwick, Managing Director of Astrata's Asia Pacific Region, commented, "We are especially gratified that, after carefully reviewing the options, the Singapore government chose the Astrata system to further protect its citizens.

"The capabilities of the Astrata-GLP are extensive and readily adaptable to the needs of specific situations. The technology to be used in Singapore can not only track thousands of vehicles but also remotely control and disable them if the need arises.

"These capabilities set a new benchmark for security in today's uncertain world. Moreover, the technology is extremely affordable and cost-effective. The Astrata-GLP is ideally suited for Singapore's requirements and we believe it will become the standard in the Asia-Pacific region. We are committed to working with the Singapore government in providing the high-level security that our innovative technologies make possible."

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