Mobile Asset Tracking System for Hazardous Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack effective real-time tracking and alert mechanisms for hazardous materials during transportation, posing safety and environmental risks due to the inability to monitor shipments of hazardous materials from sender to receiver and provide proactive alerts.
Innovation Solution
A mobile asset tracking system utilizing GPS satellite locks, wireless cellular modules, and GIS mapping software to transmit location data and trigger alerts via email, SMS, and pagers, with business rules for proactive alert generation and geo-fencing for community notifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If real-time tracking and alert mechanisms are implemented for hazardous materials, then safety and environmental protection are improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the tracking functionality into separate modular components: GPS receivers in tracking units for location acquisition, cellular modems for communication, and a central monitoring system with database and alert generation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while reducing overall system complexity through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a central monitoring system as an intermediary between the distributed tracking units and the users/subscribers. This intermediary consolidates data processing, storage, and alert distribution functions, simplifying the architecture by centralizing complex operations rather than distributing them across multiple independent systems.
2Reliability
If continuous monitoring of hazardous material shipments is performed, then incident prevention capability is improved, but energy consumption and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic monitoring through configurable tracking intervals and communication cycles. The monitoring system can adjust the frequency of location updates and alert checks based on risk levels, shipment priorities, and battery status, enabling continuous oversight while optimizing energy consumption by reducing transmission frequency when full monitoring is not critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters such as tracking interval, communication frequency, and alert sensitivity thresholds based on shipment characteristics, location risk zones, and battery status. This allows the monitoring intensity to be adjusted in real-time, maintaining high safety standards for high-risk shipments while conserving energy for lower-risk scenarios.
3Reliability
If multiple alert communication channels are provided to subscribers, then information delivery reliability is improved, but device complexity and communication costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system implements a universal alert distribution platform that supports multiple communication channels (email, SMS, pager) through a single integrated system. This multi-functional approach allows the same alert generation and distribution infrastructure to serve multiple communication protocols, reducing overall system complexity compared to implementing separate dedicated systems for each channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms to track alert delivery status across different communication channels. If an alert fails to deliver through one channel, the system can retry or alternative routes can be activated, ensuring reliable information delivery while managing communication resources efficiently through intelligent retry logic and channel selection based on previous success rates.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables real-time monitoring and proactive alerts for hazardous material shipments, enhancing safety and environmental protection by ensuring timely notifications to stakeholders and emergency management personnel.
Implementation Method 1
Location data is preferably obtained through Global Positioning System ('GPS') satellite locks and is transmitted wirelessly, e.g., via a cellular module, to a central monitoring system
Implementation Method 2
transmitted wirelessly, e.g., via a cellular module
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile asset tracking system receives telemetry information from any number of mobile assets (e.g., railcars, truck trailers, intermodal cargo containers, etc.) transporting hazardous or non-hazardous materials. Location data is obtained through GPS satellite locks and is transmitted via a cellular module to a central database for processing. Business rules in the software of the system trigger proactive alert communications to subscribers through common communication protocols such as email, SMS text, and pagers. Personal Computers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's), cell phones or other common communication devices widely available to consumers may be utilized for receipt of alerts. Subscribers may be defined as manufacturers of materials, consignees who receive materials, transporters of materials (e.g. railroads, trucking companies, etc.) and communities such as county, state and/or federal emergency management personnel. GIS mapping software is utilized for geographical display of assets to authorized subscribers.