A vehicle carrying hazmat  (Photo by Astrata Group)

The Singapore Civil Defense Force (SCDF) has awarded a US$2.2 million contract for Astrata Group’s new Intelligent Immobilization System, technology that safely stops vehicles when they deviate from their prescribed routes or enter “no-go“ areas.  Over the next several months there will be at least 1,000 such units installed.

The immobilizer is an add-on module to Astrata’s Telematics System, which SCDF has been using since 2005, to track, monitor and now also immobilize vehicles transporting hazardous materials, as well as to alert SCDF when these vehicles deviate from their prescribed routes.

The company reported that concerns about potential serious security violations, such as encroachment into restricted zones and key government installations, suggested that stronger security measures were needed.

With Astrata’s immobilization system integrated with the Telematics system, a two-stage procedure is activated in the event of an emergency.  First, the horns and blinkers of the truck will alert the public that this vehicle is a potential danger and, in a second step, if necessary, the vehicle immobilizer is activated, safely decelerating the vehicle and bringing it to a complete stop.

Astrata’s Chief Executive Officer Martin Euler said, “We are pleased that the Singapore Civil Defense Force has chosen to enhance the security of its stateof-the-art vehicle tracking system to include the ability to immobilize an errant vehicle.  Astrata’s telematics system provides this superior level of protection, which is being widely recognized by homeland security and private security organizations worldwide."