HazMat Transport Vehicle Tracking System (HTVTS) in Singapore

Singapore

The vehicle tracking system known as HTVTS has been introduced to ensure that vehicles carrying hazmat do not use road tunnels, in line with the regulations. The system is part of a wider effort to enhance security and fire safety in Singapore, particularly to prevent hazmat being used in a terrorist attack.

Chapter 5 Tunnel Access Regulation and HazMat

Transport Vehicle Tracking System in Singapore

material in excess of three metric tonnes need to be installed with Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking devices and alarm units. The vehicles can then be monitored by SCDF in real time using the GPS technology (Figure 5.1). The system can locate the exact position of these vehicles while they are on the move. In the event of any breach in transportation rules, such as deviation from approved routes or times, an alarm installed in the vehicle will sound and the system will alert the SCDF control centre. The centre will also be notified if there is an unauthorised removal or tampering of the tracking devices (SCDF 2006).

Figure 5.1: GPS to monitors HazMat vehicles and vehicle tracking devices

In addition, all local foreign registered vehicles that carrying petroleum and other flammable materials – such as road tankers, prime movers, trailer and lorries – are subject to a transport licensing scheme. To obtain a transportation licence, the vehicle has to undergo a third-party inspection to meet required safety standards and also has to be tested and certified by a professional engineer on a yearly basis. The driver of the licensed vehicle is required to hold a valid Hazmat Transport Driver Permit at all times when transporting petroleum and flammable materials. He must also attend a one-day hazmat transport driver course, conducted at the Civil Defence Academy, and pass the test at the end of the course before being issued with the permit, which is valid for two years.

Chapter 5 Tunnel Access Regulation and HazMat

Transport Vehicle Tracking System in Singapore

All vehicles monitored by the HTVTS are required to display the approved orange- coloured vehicle registration plate (Figure 5.2) and to adhere to the approval routes and hours of transportation.

Figure 5.2: Orange colour vehicle plate (reproduced from (HTVTS 2006))

System Violations

Vehicles transporting hazmat are monitored by the duty officer at the SCDF control centre. In the event of any violation detected by the system, such as deviation from the approved routes, the alarm fitted in the vehicle will trigger the horn and hazard warning lights. The SCDF officer will then contact the registered company, which will required to contact the driver immediately and take corrective action (Figure 5.3).

Monitoring system Control room SCDF officers Figure 5.3: Using GPS to monitors HazMat vehicles

The driver of the vehicle is required to stop by the road and contact SCDF for verification and to explain his reasons for deviating from the designated routes or times. In the event of the vehicle not stopping or the driver not being contactable within 2 minutes, the SCDF officer will inform the Singapore Police Force to dispatch their personnel to investigate the

Chapter 5 Tunnel Access Regulation and HazMat

Transport Vehicle Tracking System in Singapore

In addition to investigating violations, routine checks are conducted by SCDF, in conjunction with Singapore’s National Environment Authority (NEA) and Land Transport Authority (LTA), to enforce the rules.

There are currently around 660 vehicles installed with GPS tracking devices in Singapore SCDF (2007). Foreign hazmat vehicles entering from Malaysia are also required to rent the portable tracking devices when they cross at the border checkpoint. The tracking devices are fitted by SCDF personnel at the checkpoint (HTVTS 2006).

To date, the HTVTS has been effective in detecting vehicles that have deviated from the approved routes. The number of violations is not high and none have led to a catastrophic incident. A summary of the HTVTS violation detected is shown in Table 5.1.

Type of offence Jul to Dec

2005

Jan to Jun 2006

Transportation along non-approved routes 48 28

Transportation with insufficient fire extinguishers on the vehicle

36 -

Transportation with no “Emergency Information Panel” and warning labels on the vehicle

32 -

Transportation (above 3 MT) without tracking device on the vehicle

10 2

Transportation without valid licence on the vehicle 15 58 Transportation beyond approved transporting hours - 3 Transportation without HazMat Transport Driver

Permit (HTDP)

9 16

Overnight parking (with LPG) 29 29

Supply of petroleum to non-licensed vehicle / premises

- 9

Total 179 145

Table 5.1: Type of HTVTS violation (SCDF 2006)

Phase 2 of the HTVTS implementation began in April 2007. In addition to monitoring the movement of hazmat vehicles using the GPS tracking devices, a strategy has been developed to fit immobiliser systems in hazmat vehicles. The immobiliser can be activated remotely, when necessary, in the event of a violation. It controls the throttle of the vehicle, restricting the fuel injection to the engine and forcing the driver to slow down and stop.

Chapter 5 Tunnel Access Regulation and HazMat

Transport Vehicle Tracking System in Singapore

police personnel are then dispatched to the incident. Prior to the activation of the immobiliser system, the vehicle’s horn and hazard warning lights are automatically turned on to alert motorists so as to avoid any accidents. A flow chart showing the operation of the immobiliser system is shown in Figure 5.4.

Figure 5.4: Operation of the immobiliser in Phase 2 HTVTS

The HTVTS is proving effective in minimising the risk of hazmat being used in a terrorist attack in Singapore, while also enhancing fire and life safety in road tunnels. In addition, Phase 2 of the system has further strengthened the requirement of the Road Traffic Act for a more effective management of vehicles carrying hazmat on Singapore roads.

Hazmat transport vehicle deviates from designated route

Tracking system at SCDF control room detect deviation

Vehicle horns and hazard warning light activated

Immobiliser activated

Vehicle speed is reduced to 10-15 km/hr before coming to a gradual stop. SCDF and police personnel will be dispatch to investigate incident