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)