Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories, part of the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration, this week introduced its latest version of technology
intended to remotely stop trucks in emergencies, terrorist attacks for example.
According to science news web site, PhysOrg.com, the remote-controlled device was commissioned by the California Highway Patrol to prevent tankers and other hijacked vehicles from becoming bombs on wheels.
The remote-controlled device marks the fourth generation of truck stopping technology that debuted in 2001. That ill-fated idea involved an impact mechanism, in which a CHP cruiser would tap the back of a trailer or tanker to trigger a guillotine-like device to shear the air brakes and stop the truck.
The new remote controlled variation works much like a child’s radio-controlled toy, PhysOrg.com said. An officer would use a hand-held controller to activate the device, which now sits behind the cab of a tractor trailer, to deploy the air brakes and bring the car to a halt.
Laboratory researchers have taken the remote technology one step further by using a system of antennas that could be placed around various buildings. If a runaway truck tried to crash through the gates, the antennas, operating on a continuous signal, would activate the technology once the truck passed by, preventing any attack.
Dave McCallen of the Lab’s Engineering Directorate said the device would be placed on a vehicle at a facility’s inspection point. It would be in a locked, tamper-proof box that could be removed once the truck left the facility.
The devices cost approximately $800 apiece. To have the devices automatically equipped on all commercial transportation vehicles will require legislation.